Best Answer to "What Do You Want This Job?" (2026 Interview Guide)

Discover recruiter-approved responses, sample answers, common mistakes, and 2026 trends to nail this question and stand out. Get the perfect tailored answer in the Quick Answer section below, plus STAR method examples and ATS-friendly tips.

Quick Answer: The Best Response to "What Do You Want This Job?"

Here's a copy-paste-ready template you can personalize in seconds. Recruiters love this structure because it shows research, skills alignment, and genuine enthusiasm:

"I'm eager to contribute to [Company Name] by leveraging my [specific skill, e.g., data analysis expertise] to drive [key job outcome, e.g., 15% efficiency gains], aligning perfectly with your [company value/mission, e.g., customer obsession principle]. What excites me most is how this role lets me [personal motivation, e.g., innovate in sustainable tech while growing with a team that's achieved X% market growth]. In my last role, I [quantifiable example, e.g., optimized processes to reduce complaints by 20%], and I'm motivated to deliver similar impact here."

Why it works: This phrasing hits recruiter priorities--company fit, your value-add, and quantifiable proof. Swap in details from the job description (JD) for a tailored fit.

Key Takeaways

• Research first: Tie your answer to the company's values/mission (e.g., Amazon's Customer Obsession) for 51% better cultural fit perception (Ciphr 2026).
• Structure it: Company research + skills fit + personal motivation + quantifiable example.
• Use STAR for depth: Situation-Task-Action-Result turns vague claims into proof.
• Quantify everything: "15% efficiency gain" beats "improved processes."
• 2026 trend: Highlight AI tool familiarity and in-person collaboration (Employ 2025: 31% use AI in searches).
• Avoid pitfalls: No generics like "great company" or "stepping-stone."
• ATS boost: Weave in JD keywords--candidates with job title matches get 10.6x more interviews (Jobscan).

Stats: 99.7% of recruiters use ATS filters (Jobscan); 88% discard non-matching resumes (Harvard).

Why Interviewers Ask "What Do You Want This Job?" (And What They Really Want)

Interviewers aren't just curious--they're screening for cultural fit, enthusiasm, and alignment. From an HR perspective, this question reveals if you'll thrive long-term, embody values, and contribute immediately. Per Ciphr's 2026 research, 51% of common questions probe goals/aspirations to predict engagement.

They want:

• Proof of research: Do you know their mission (e.g., Google's 20% time for innovation)?
• Enthusiasm without fluff: Genuine excitement tied to role impact.
• Mutual value: How you'll help them succeed.

Legal note (WWU HR): Questions must focus on job performance, not protected status like family or origin--keep answers professional.

Mini case: Amazon probes Leadership Principles. A strong answer references "Customer Obsession" with a past win, like reducing complaints 20%.

2026 Job Market Trends Shaping This Question

In 2026, AI scans 31% of applications (Employ 2025), but Google/India Today note a shift to in-person interviews to detect AI-cheating. LinkedIn top answers emphasize career goals like "sustainable innovation." Expect emphasis on hybrid skills: AI literacy + human collaboration. Tailor to trends--mention "predictive analytics" for tech roles.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Craft Your Perfect Answer

Follow this checklist for a recruiter-approved response:

1. Research company/values: Read their site, LinkedIn, recent news. Note 1-2 specifics (e.g., "your 20% retention boost via team initiatives").
2. Reverse-engineer JD keywords: Pull "problem-solving," "team leadership"--use them naturally (ATS tip: 10.6x interview boost).
3. Apply STAR method: Back claims with behavioral examples.
4. Quantify achievements: "Led team to 15% sales growth" > "Did well."
5. Link to motivations: "Eager to contribute [skill] to achieve [company goal], fueling my passion for [personal driver]."
6. Practice aloud: Keep under 60 seconds; end with a question like "How does the team measure success here?"

Pro tip: 98.4% of Fortune 500 use ATS (Scale.jobs)--mirror JD phrasing in resumes too.

Top 10 Sample Answers for "What Do You Want This Job?" (Tailored Examples)

Adapt these for your scenario:

1. Tech Role (Google-style): "What excites me about this Software Engineer role at [Company] is your innovation culture, like the 20% time policy. I'm eager to contribute my Python expertise to build scalable apps-- in my last project, I optimized code for 25% faster processing--aligning with my motivation to solve real-world problems at scale."

2. Sales Position: "I'm motivated to join [Company] to drive customer obsession, reducing churn like your recent 15% retention gains. Previously, I boosted sales 20% via targeted outreach, and this role lets me scale that impact."

3. Marketing (Entry-Level): "As a recent grad, I'm excited by [Company]'s data-driven campaigns. I want to contribute SEO skills--my internship grew traffic 30%--to support your growth while advancing my digital strategy passion."

4. Management: "This role fits my leadership style, eager to contribute to [Company]'s collaborative culture. I led a team to 40% efficiency gains, motivated by fostering high-performing teams like yours."

5. Career Changer: "Transitioning from finance, I'm drawn to [Company]'s sustainability focus. My analytical skills delivered 18% cost savings; here, I can apply them to green initiatives that excite me."

6. Healthcare: "What motivates me is improving patient outcomes at [Company], mirroring my 22% complaint reduction via process tweaks."

7. Remote/Hybrid: "Your flexible model aligns with my peak productivity style--I delivered projects 15% ahead remotely--and I'm eager to contribute to innovative problem-solving."

8. Finance: "Eager to leverage my forecasting skills for [Company]'s expansion, where I can achieve 12% risk reductions like before."

9. Creative: "Your brand storytelling resonates; my campaigns grew engagement 35%, fueling my creative motivation."

10. Operations: "Thrilled by your lean processes--my optimizations cut defects 25%, perfect for contributing here."

Behavioral Interview Version Using STAR Method

Question: "Tell me about a time--what do you want from this job that matches your experience?"

STAR Sample (Project Manager):

• Situation: "At XYZ Corp, our team faced delayed deliverables."
• Task: "As lead, I needed to streamline workflows."
• Action: "Implemented Agile tools and training, aligning with [Company]'s efficiency values."
• Result: "Reduced delays 30%, boosting client satisfaction--exactly what motivates me in this role."

Common Mistakes to Avoid + Good vs Bad Answers

Recruiters discard in 6-7 seconds (Insight Global). Here's a comparison:

Pitfall: Salary focus or fear-based ("Avoid getting fired")--shows poor fit.

ATS-Friendly Keywords and Resume/LinkedIn Optimization

98.4% Fortune 500 + 97% large firms use ATS (Scale.jobs/Hire Autism). Optimize pre-interview:

Top 20+ Keywords (from JD/RAG): motivation for applying this role, eager to contribute, problem-solving, team leadership, data analysis, customer obsession, innovation, project management, efficiency gains, retention improvement, career goals, cultural fit, upskilling, predictive analytics, Agile, SEO, forecasting, sustainability, work under pressure, relationship-building.

Tips:

• Resumes: Mirror JD (e.g., "Led cross-functional teams" > generic skills).
• Cover Letters: "My motivation for applying: [tailored reason]."
• LinkedIn: Use in summary/posts for 10.6x visibility.

Pros & Cons: Generic vs Tailored Answers

Tailored wins: Authentic, memorable, culture-aligned.

FAQ

What is the best answer to "what motivates you to apply for this position"?
Align skills to company needs: "Motivated by [company goal], where my [skill] drove [metric]."

Ideal answer "what do you want most from this role" interview?
"Growth in [area], contributing [impact] while embodying your values."

Top response "why do you want to work here" 2026?
Reference trends: "Your AI-hybrid model + my predictive skills for 15% gains."

Sample answers "what excites you about this job opportunity"?
See Top 10--e.g., "Innovating like your 20% time policy."

Behavioral interview "what do you want from this job" STAR method?
Use STAR: Tie past win to role fit.

Common mistakes "what do you want this job" question?
Generic praise, stepping-stone talk, no proof--avoid!