Answering the ‘What Do You Hope to Gain From this Position?’ Interview Question

An employer may ask ‘What do you hope to gain from this position?’ during an interview to learn why you are interested in their role. They can use your response to determine if what this role can offer aligns with your desires. That’s why it’s so important to research the role and company you’re applying to. By having realistic yet ambitious expectations, you can show that you are a good fit for the job.

This question also gives you the perfect opportunity to further discuss your skills and what you hope to learn. Showing an employer that you have both short-term and long-term goals communicates that you are a motivated individual.

Follow these steps to effectively answer ‘What do you hope to gain from this position?’:

1. Discuss your skills

Start your response by mentioning skills you hope to utilize and others you hope to develop if you were to get the job. When choosing which skills to mention, look over the job description in advance. Think about which of the skills listed you possess and which you are genuinely interested in learning. This is a great way to show that you have the right skills for the job and have a willingness to learn.

2. Incorporate a few details

Research the company to find some interesting details that make you feel eager to work for it. For instance, if you notice they have a fun-looking company culture, you could mention this in your answer. Likewise, you could mention things like the learning opportunities, company retreats, and benefits they offer. When mentioning these details, be mindful of what your values are. Saying, ‘I heard this company pays well.’ can come off as shallow. Instead, you could say, ‘I heard this company takes care of its employees and treats them fairly.’

3. Share your career goals

Mentioning your long-term career goals and how this position will help you reach them is another useful strategy. An employer wants to hire someone who is worth investing in, so show that you are interested in growing with the company. Explain that this role would be a great experience for your bigger picture goals.

4. Show your excitement

End your response with something that shows you are truly excited about this opportunity. By being upbeat and a little energetic, you can liven up the conversation and stand out among other candidates. Show that if you got the job, both you and the company would benefit.

Use these example answers to ‘What do you hope to gain from this position?’ to help you form your own response:

Example 1

I see that this position requires someone who is an innovative and strategic thinker. I’m hoping for the opportunity to exhibit such skills by contributing to exciting projects and campaigns. I also want the chance to improve my public speaking skills, perhaps by working toward the goal to lead a company meeting. Along with growing professionally, I am excited to see that your company offers a wide variety of learning opportunities. Such opportunities directly align with my goal to move up to a management position later on. With this kind of support, I can see myself growing with this company.

Example 2

Although I have a lot of experience in social media, I have never gotten the opportunity to manage campaigns on well-known clients. This role would be an exciting opportunity to work with some of my favorite brands. Along with being able to use my writing skills, I would hope to learn how to do a bit more graphic design while working here. I see that you offer training programs, so I would definitely partake in the design course. Being able to work for a company that encourages its employees to grow has always been a dream of mine, which is exactly why I applied here.

Example 3

I’m hoping for the opportunity to move beyond sales to a management position. I understand that having a solid foundation in sales is an important part of managing a sales department, which is why the role would be a great opportunity for me. It’s my goal to prove that I have the leadership skills to eventually become a manager here. Based on researching your company, I see that there are many opportunities for promotions, which is why I would be willing to spend a few years showing my strengths in order to move onto the next level.

Example 4

Gaining a sense of independence is my number-one desire for this position. I’ve always worked on tight-knit teams, which has been wonderful, but I am ready for a chance to prove what I can do on my own. That’s why I was so excited to see that this job offers work-from-home opportunities. This way, I can have a better balance of teamwork and independent work. Likewise, I am quite interested in going on the business trips the job posting mentioned. I think it would give me the perfect opportunity to push beyond my comfort level and make some meaningful connections.