I’ve interviewed hundreds of people, and one of my favorite questions is, ‘What are you looking for in your next position?’

Interviewers ask this question for a couple of specific reasons. And it’s important to note that a few big mistakes can make you fail the interview. 

This article walks you through how to answer this question and impress the interviewer. No matter the variation of the question they ask, you’ll be prepared to answer effectively.

This variation includes: 

• “What challenges are you looking for in a position?”
• “Can you describe what you are looking for in your next job?”
• “Describe the three things that are most important for you in your next position”

Why Employers Ask You to Describe What You Are Looking For in Your Next Job

Hiring managers, recruiters, and HR staff all like to ask this question. You might hear it during a phone interview or in a late-stage interview near the end of the hiring process. There are two main reasons for asking this question.

To ensure applicants are targeting something specific in their job hunt

First, employers prefer candidates with clear goals and career motivation. They don’t want to hire someone looking for any job that comes their way. Instead, they prefer someone with specific reasons for wanting their job. 

From an employer’s perspective, this indicates that the candidate will be more motivated and interested in the work, and more likely to stay long-term.

Some companies won’t care about this as much. They just want to hire someone who can fill their immediate need and do the job. 

However, if a company asks a question like the example above, they are NOT that type of company. They want someone they can promote and help grow within the organization.

To ensure their job aligns with your goals

Interviewers also ask this question to assess whether the job aligns with your goals or not. For example, an individual looking for a rigid work environment won’t fit into a company with a relaxed work environment.

Bad hires come at a huge cost to employers, something I’ve observed in my extensive experience in talent recruitment.

A survey found that nearly three in four employers were affected by a bad hire. Not only that but the average cost of one bad hire is nearly $15,000.

This is why interviewers try to make sure their job fits the overall theme of what an applicant is looking for. 

How to Answer, “What Are You Looking For in Your Next Position?”

Preparing Your Answer

You can prepare an effective answer to this question in five simple steps:

• Self-assessment

Identify the challenges or learning opportunities you’re seeking in your next career move. Show motivation and eagerness to learn, and explain your goals clearly and concisely. 

• Research the Company

Your answer should demonstrate that you understand their job requirements and highlight specific aspects that excite you about being part of the company.  

• Match Your Goals With the Company’s Offerings

In your answer, you should align your goals with what the company offers. This shows you are a good fit for the position and genuinely interested in contributing to the company’s success. 

• Balance Specificity and Flexibility

Mention something specific that excites you about the position. This could be something you learned in a previous interview. You can also tell them a particular detail that caught your interest in their position or why you applied.

• Incorporate Soft Skills

Your soft skills can help you stand out; don’t forget to highlight them. Recruiters look out for these soft skills because they are indicators of an applicant’s ability to collaborate and contribute positively to the team.

With the rise of AI, 92% of talent recruiters believe that candidates with great soft skills are becoming more important. In addition,  89% of “bad hires” are candidates with poor soft skills. Therefore, highlighting your soft skills is important.

Examples of Effective Answers

Let’s look at sample interview answers to this question for entry-level, mid-career, and senior-level positions.

Entry-level Position

• Marketing Assistant

• Customer Service Representative

• Junior Software Development Engineer

Mid-Career Position

• Financial Analyst

• Senior Software Developer

• Account Manager

Senior-Level Position

• Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

• Head of Corporate Strategy

Delivering Your Answer

Once you’ve crafted a compelling answer, it’s time to deliver it with confidence and authenticity.

Here are some tips:

• Body Language and Tone: Maintain good posture, make eye contact with the interviewer, and project a positive and enthusiastic tone. Avoid fidgeting or slouching, as this can convey nervousness. Speak clearly and confidently, and vary your inflection to keep your response engaging.

• Practice Makes Perfect: Rehearse your answer out loud beforehand. This will help you feel more comfortable and ensure you can deliver it concisely and effectively. Consider practicing in front of a mirror or recording yourself to identify areas for improvement.

• Be Yourself: While preparation is key, don’t sound robotic. Let your personality shine through and express your genuine interest in the position.

Preparing for Follow-Up Questions

Be prepared for the interviewer to ask follow-up questions to delve deeper into your response.

Here’s how to anticipate and handle them:

• Expected Follow-Ups: Some common follow-up questions might be: “Can you elaborate on your experience in [mention a specific skill]?” or “Why are you leaving your current role?”. Think about potential follow-ups based on your answer and have brief, prepared responses.

• Expand, Don’t Repeat: When answering follow-ups, provide additional details without simply repeating your initial response. Use them as an opportunity to showcase other relevant skills or experiences.

• Stay Positive: A follow-up question may touch on a less ideal aspect of your background. Don’t fret; try to frame your answer positively. Focus on how your past experiences have prepared you for this opportunity.

Overall, this is very similar to how you’d answer, “why are you applying for this position?” or, “why do you want this job?” 

However, questions like, “What challenges are you looking for?” are a bit trickier. This is because it’s easy to fall into the trap of only talking about yourself and forget to relate it to the employer and their job.

What Not to Say – Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Focusing on salary or benefits: Avoid emphasizing salary, perks, or benefits as your primary motivation. It’s better to wait until the interviewer brings it up.

• Negativity about past employers: Don’t speak poorly about previous companies or colleagues. Focus on the positive aspects of the new opportunity.

• Generic statements: Avoid generic answers like “I’m looking for a good job” or “I want to be successful.” Ensure your response aligns with the specific role and company.

• Rambling or going off on tangents: Keep your answer concise and focused. Highlight your key qualifications and interest in the position.

• Lying or exaggerating your skills: Be honest about your experience and qualifications. An experienced interviewer can easily spot any exaggerations.

If you follow the tips above, you’ll have a great answer when employers ask interview questions about what type of challenge you’re looking for. 

You’ll leave a lasting impression, get more job offers, and avoid giving them fear or doubt over whether you’re the right person for the role!

Other Commonly Asked Interview Questions

• What can you tell me about yourself?

• What are your career goals?

• Where do you see yourself in five years?

• For a list of the top 20 most common questions and answers, go here.