What are you looking for in a job?
If your interviewer hits you with this question, don’t panic. This is the perfect chance to sell yourself. Stuck? We’ve got some help on how to come up with a great answer.
Be honest
Answering this question is your opportunity to be frank about what you’re looking for in a new job. It’s no good landing the job if they can’t offer you what you’re looking for, so speak up about what you want. Remember that the interview is just as much for you as it is for them.
Think about the things that are important to you in the workplace, like professional growth opportunities, equal pay, or diversity in the company. Want to feel challenged? Awesome. Want a flexible schedule? Cool. Just let them know.
I’m looking for a job that offers a flexible schedule and allows me to spend more time with my family. I’m strongly driven, which is evident in the 27 percent increase in revenue I drove for my current employer. This drive is, in part, thanks to the love and support of my family, and I want to make sure I give them the same dedication I give to my work.
I want a job that lets me move up the ranks. In my current role, I’ve hit a ceiling and there’s no room for growth at that company. I want to know that my next employer wants to see me move up. Can you talk to me about where you imagine the person in this role might be in three years?
Read more: 3 Right Ways to Answer: Why Are You the Best Person for the Job?
Hustle your ambition
It’s a hustler's ambition, close your eyes, listen, see my vision.
50 Cent knew it, and so do you; you’ve got big dreams. That’s awesome, so you need to make sure your potential employer knows that too. When you’re asked what you’re looking for in a job, it’s okay to make it clear you’re chasing success. You might be telling them your detailed five-year plan or just confirming with them that you’re looking to grow and learn.
I’m a very ambitious person, and I’m always looking for opportunities to improve and excel within my job. My career goals focus around upskilling and training, so finding a workplace that can support that, with structured opportunities to progress, is important to me. What kinds of training and in-house learning opportunities do you offer?
Consider ending your answer with a question: This is what I am looking for in a new job, how will you satisfy that?
Never forget that you’re the best around
Answering this question is also your chance to remind them what you bring to the table. Using examples of any previous success, you can tailor your answer to demonstrate skills you have and the ways you’ve shown them.
I’m looking for a company that will support me as a professional and give me strong targets. I have a vast amount of experience in sales, as demonstrated by my being top-seller in my previous company, and would like to find an employer that will recognize this success and offer me a challenge.
Read more: Ask a Recruiter: How Do I Discover My Hidden Talents?
