How to answer “Why are you interested in this role?”
Jordan is interviewing for a weekend shop assistant job. Listen for the part of the work Jordan would enjoy. Then try connecting one duty from a job you want to something you enjoy doing.
Listen to the interview
Interviewer
“Why are you interested in this role?”
Jordan’s model answer
“What interests me most is helping customers find what they need. At a community event, I showed a visitor where to go. I enjoyed being the person they could ask for help. I’d like to do that in your shop and learn enough about the products to answer customers’ questions.”
What makes the answer work?
- Name one part of the job
- “Helping customers find what they need” tells the interviewer which part of working in a shop appeals to Jordan.
- Give a reason from experience
- Showing a visitor where to go helped Jordan discover what they enjoy about helping people. A small example from school or volunteering works too.
- Look ahead
- Jordan wants to learn about the products for a reason. Knowing them would help Jordan answer customers’ questions.
A useful phrase · “I’m interested in helping customers.” After “interested in”, use a noun or an -ing form, as in “customer service” or “helping people”.
Check your answer
Three questions. Choose an answer to see the explanation.
1. Which part of the job does Jordan say is most appealing?
Organising the shop’s weekend timetable.
Try again. Weekend work is part of the setting. Jordan gives a different reason for wanting the role.
Helping customers find the things they need.
Correct. Listen to the opening line. Jordan names the work first, then explains why it appeals.
Running community events for the shop.
Try again. The community event is where Jordan gained experience. The job is helping customers in a shop.
2. Complete the sentence. “I’m interested in ___ customers choose the right product.”
helping
Correct. “Interested in helping” is the natural pattern. You could also say “I’d like to help customers.”
help
Try again. “Help” works after “I want to”. After “interested in”, use “helping”.
to help
Try again. “I’d like to help” works. In this sentence, “in” is already there, so choose the -ing form.
3. A receptionist welcomes visitors. Which answer explains why that duty appeals to you?
“The office is close to my home, so the journey would be easy.”
Try again. That explains why the location suits you. Add what you would enjoy doing at reception.
“I’d be happy to start on Monday morning.”
Try again. This answers a question about availability. The interviewer asked what interests you about the work.
“I enjoyed welcoming new students at school. I’d like to help visitors feel welcome here too.”
Correct. This connects something you enjoyed to a duty you would actually perform.
Try your own answer (optional)
Choose one duty from a job description. Say “I’m interested in … because …”. Add a real moment when you enjoyed doing something similar. Then say how you would use that experience in the role.