'Why do you want this IT job?' Best reply at interview be like…

There’s one question that unites both temporary and full-time technology job-seekers when they go for job interviews.

And that question, writes Matt Collingwood, managing director of tech staffing firm VIQU IT, is the dreaded “Why do you want this job?”

A full-time job applicant’s question that interviewers still ask tech contractors

Granted, it’s traditionally a tech job interview question better suited to permanent job applicants, but that doesn’t stop interviewers of contract candidates from still asking it.

Moreover, with some contractors making the difficult, IR35-centered choice to cross to ‘the dark side’ – even if only temporarily – knowing how to answer variations of “Why do you want this job?” will be key for many technologists hoping to unlock interview success in 2025.  

And by variations I mean:

Why are you right for this IT role?

And the similar:

“What excites you about this opportunity?”

Whatever angle the central question of “Why do you want this job?” is posed from, IT job-hopefuls hearing it should be aware there are clear insights that the interviewer is looking to hear in response to the question.

Think what interviewers will think of your answer

As a tech job candidate seeking work, it’s your responsibility to understand what the interviewer will determine as ‘good’ and ‘bad’ responses.

I can go further.

Get your answer to “Why do you want this job?”  wrong, and it could hurt your chances of securing the IT role – contract or permanent.

First, with this classic interview question, let’s consider:

Five what NOT to dos when asked ‘Why do you want this job?’

1. Don’t say what you think they want to hear

It can be tempting to jump onto ChatGPT or run a ‘Google Search’ to arm yourself with a textbook response that you think the interviewer will want to hear.

But take this shortcut, and in effect, you sell your soul to the interview devil!

Nine times out of 10 the interviewer will either know that ‘your’ response isn’t ‘your’ response or will just see through your inauthenticity. 

Such ‘stock’ answers to “Why do you want this job?” won’t benefit your chances, and conversely, will probably reduce them.

2. Avoid raising red flags

It’s very important to not cause doubts or raise red flags in the minds of the interviewer when responding to “Why do you want this job?”    

I have witnessed an off-the-cuff reply from a tech sector candidate turn an interviewer totally off of a candidate.

Don’t let that be you.

Perhaps you don’t believe me that a single response can spoil your chances?

Okay, it’s below, and I think you too would be deterred from taking the person on if they uttered it!

The recent candidate we put forward when asked why he wanted the role, told the two interviewers in the room:

“An old colleague of mine worked here and said it’s relaxed and easy-going.”

Now, you might want an easy life, and that’s fair enough!

But most employers don’t think their environment is "easy." For them, it’s the norm. So, suggesting you’ll be taking it easy in the role might raise a red flag.

Joining for money = soon-to-leave for money

Likewise, if asked “Why do you want this job?” the truthful answer in your view might be “I want more money.”

But in the eyes of the prospective client or employer, if you’re joining for money, you’ll leave for money too.

And so any answer about ‘money’ when asked what your motivation for applying is should be avoided, as it risks unsettling employers.

3. Don’t go down the overconfident or arrogant route

Asked why they want the job, I was told of one bolshie tech job candidate who I half-knew, who said, “I don’t need the job; you need me”.

While this might be true and some interviewers might appreciate such confidence, for almost all interviewers, such a reply will come across as overconfident, bordering on arrogance.

4. Disregard what’s probably your first reason for wanting the job

As you can hopefully see by now, your primary reason for wanting the job isn’t always the best one for an interviewer to hear.

Yes, you might want to work somewhere else in a new location -- nearer your girlfriend’s house or because you’d like a shorter commute in the morning, but the reality is, these aren’t good answers.

5. Correcting the interviewer (is a fool’s errand)

I’ve even had candidates respond in a correctional way to “Why do you want this job” with, “I need the job.”

This is a bit like saying you want to get married just because you don’t want to be lonely! There are far better reasons to get married, just as there are far better reasons to take a job.

Best way to answer ‘Why do you want this (tech) job?’

To deliver the best answer in a tech job interview setting, candidates, almost regardless of the role, need to be authentic.

So as soon as you hear the question or its variants like "What excites you about this opportunity?" instantly emphasise to yourself that you must be AUTHENTIC with the reason you’re about to fill the air with.

It will help to have rehearsed your answer, out loud beforehand, to see if your answer sounds -- to a you in practice mode trying to be objective -- authentic enough.

Include a subtle parallel

For the second part of your answer, make sure it includes a parallel between the role, or its key requirement, and yourself, or your skills and attributes.

For part three of your answer, conclude by making clear that you securing the role with the organisation would be mutually beneficial.

In terms of formulating these three parts to your answer, say what’s on your mind to some extent. But at all times, consider how your response could be interpreted.

Also consider what your competition (i.e. rival candidates) might say in answer to “Why do you want this job?” which could put them ahead of you, in both the likeability and suitability stakes.

How to sound authentic about why you want the job

One way to begin your answer -- the initial authenticity part, is to highlight that you’re not just looking for any opportunity but this specific role.

Achieve this by talking about particular aspects of the project and how that aligns with your skillset.

Or, articulate how securing the opportunity would help you develop your career in the direction you’ve dedicated yourself to while benefitting the organisation.

How a PM might answer ‘Why do you want this job?’

For instance, an IT project manager asked “Why do you want this job?” might answer:

“Securing this role would give me the opportunity to gain further stakeholder management experience, which would cement my understanding and knowledge, allowing me to thrive in this role and perform at my best, in this unit but potentially across your wider operations too.”

Another good way to outline why this role is for you is to demonstrate how specific elements of the organisation or the IT team you’d be joining align with how you like to work, and the environment you believe you are most productive in.

A recommended reply in a software development job interview

For instance, a software developer asked “Why do you want this job?” might answer:

“From our conversation today, it’s very clear that your team is very productive and successful due to their agility and following an agile methodology. Personally, I know that I do my best work when I work in an agile environment, so I am confident that if I were to secure this role, I would be successful in it, as it strongly connects with where I’ve dedicated myself, professionally.”

As recommended above, explain how the key responsibilities and skills needed for the role parallel with your qualifications and experiences.

A good answer nods to your CV’s best bits

If you can, frame the question “Why do you want this job?” as an opportunity to emphasise the most solid aspects of your CV.

For instance, a cyber security engineer could say:

“Gaining my CISSP qualification and then working in various security environments, as recorded on my CV, has given me extensive insights into the real impact a role like this can have on the security, integrity, availability and performance of a network.

“From our conversation this afternoon, I believe my skill and experience-level align with what you’re looking for, so I think this role would be a great fit for me as its six key requirements match where I’ve specialised for the last 18 months.”

Final tips for surviving ‘Why do you want this job?’

Remember, a tech job interviewer is not trying to trip you up with the age-old query “Why do you want this job?”

But nor are they looking for you to wax lyrically about how fantastic the organisation and role are! They just want an authentic answer, which gives them insights into your motivations, skillset and character. So whether you’re interviewing for a permanent or contract position, remember my key dos and don’ts to make this the last time -- for a while at least -- you’ll be asked any sort of job interview question whatsoever!