Ever considered why you chose your career?
It’s definitely a question for which you should have a clearly defined answer.
People, whether a friend, colleague or interviewer may ask, “Why did you choose this career”?
It’s also a valid interview question employers have been known to ask job applicants.
There could be several reasons why an employer wants to know this:
Why do employers ask “Why this career”?
Very often, your level of career success is closely correlated to your reason behind it.
What’s your “why”?
Your motivation and your “why” are essential for employers to know. This is because they are looking for people who want to succeed and who can help them succeed.
Everyone suffers from the same condition known as W.I.I.F.M – What’s In It For Me? Employers are already aware you need a job for a source of income. Aside from that, why are you here? In this company? What are you getting out of this career? Finally, what is your conviction?
Successful people have very strong convictions about their career. This enables them to be self-motivated, driven and provide immense value to employers.
Do you have a genuine interest?
A company will always select the candidate who displays genuine interest. Qualifications aside, it is going to be very difficult for an individual to succeed in field they have no genuine interest or investment. Motivated by salary, status or benefits is not going to keep anyone invested within a career for very long.
Will this career bring fulfilment?
Employers ask this question to find that ideal candidate, who can demonstrate true passion and experience fulfilment in their work. Fulfilled employees are happy employees. They are also usually a company’s top-performers and provide high value to both employers and customers.
How self-aware are you?
Are you aware of what you want in a career? Do you know your strengths and weaknesses? Was pursuing this career path a well-thought decision or a snap decision? These insights into your character are valuable for employers to learn.
How to answer the question, “Why this career”?
Answering this question skillfully requires a level of self-awareness, tact and articulating yourself well. When crafting your response, remember to:
Make it authentic
Every seasoned professional can spot when you’re feigning an interest for a job. It is not worth being deceptive in an interview. Therefore, if this is truly a career you want to grow and succeed in, you must observe your tone and mannerisms.
Ensure your enthusiasm and interest is reflected in your verbal as well as your non-verbal communication. Smile, relax your body, lean forward a bit, have good eye contact and ensure your voice isn’t monotone. You might be passionate about this career, but if your body and voice doesn’t communicate that, the employer simply will not believe what you say.
Get personal
Interviews test your display of personal values. What is important to you? The things you consider important in life most likely would influence your choice of career. When answering this question, you need to convey what is it that makes this career important, enjoyable or fulfilling to you?
Perhaps you enjoy working with children or underprivileged people, you enjoy helping people look or feel their best. Maybe you have a knack for numbers and feel fulfilled when you help people make wise financial decisions or help companies manage their technology resources productively?
Whatever it is about this career that makes you feel proud or satisfied, communicate that clearly to the interviewer.
The benefits of the job
What benefit will this job bring you. Employers don’t assume candidates place companies first and themselves last. Therefore, they want to know the benefit this career field offers which motivates you to pursue it.
For example, you could explain this career allows you to:
- Travel,
- Meet interesting people,
- Learn fascinating information,
- Provides recognition or admiration from society,
- Gain knowledge to pursue other opportunities, e.g., Entrepreneurship
- Develop specialised or unique skills,
- Be creative or,
- Simply have fun at work
Employers like to know team members enjoy the benefits of their jobs. Whatever you enjoy about this career path, needs to be conveyed to the employer.
Be realistic
Even though you should not answer this question by mentioning salary, there is no harm in stating a well-compensating career is something that appeals to you.
You don’t have to bluntly say “salary” or “money”, but let the employer know you’ve considered the financial benefits of this career and like any rational human being, you enjoy the good earning potential this career offers.
Reserve this point though, towards the end of your response. It should not be the first or only reason for your choice of career.
What not to say when answering the question, “Why this career”?
Certain things should not be included in your response. These include:
Mentioning solely financial benefits and rewards
Don’t say you’re in this field for mainly the money. Employers know that candidates who are always chasing high salaries and lucrative opportunities do not stay with their company or are very reliable.
Confessing you’re just making someone happy
Employers typically do not place high faith in persons pursuing a career path just to please someone, be it a parent, teacher or spouse. At some point you may abruptly quit or get burnt out.
Providing frivolous reasons
Companies need enthusiastic, yet serious-minded individuals. Pursuing a career path because “you were bored”, “needed money” or “just to see what it’s like” are not reasons to hire you.
Having no valid reason
Similar to providing a frivolous response, telling an employer you’re in this career because “you had nothing else to do”, “you’re just doing this for now” or “I don’t remember”, would not even get you shortlisted for another interview.
Saying “I don’t know”, for example makes you come across as someone very unsure about themselves. You have no real, intrinsic drive for the field. No employer wants a team member like that.
