Why are you interested in working in our company? “Why are you interested in this position?” What to do in such a situation

We talked about how to competently structure your answer to the question: “Why should we hire you?” However, employers also like to ask: “Why do you want to work with us?” R Head of career services HeadHunter Marina Khadina will tell you how to prepare for this question .

The response strategy is to first assess what distinguishes this proposal from the rest (the content of the tasks, the period of development of the company, corporate policy, the complexity of the tasks, etc., including location).

Here are some examples of answers to this question:

1. I have a serious mathematical education, I like to implement such research. I had a similar experience at NN. I will happily return to this kind of work, but at a new level.

2. This job is an ideal continuation of my professional career. There is a successful combination of different areas of activity (specify which ones), in which I have experience at different periods of my career (transfer). This is a unique opportunity to make the most of what you have and benefit the company.

3. This is not the only opportunity I am considering, but your company is the only place where my qualifications will be fully in demand. In particular, as an HR manager, I have special knowledge in the field of mass recruitment, and it is in your company that this will be in great demand. In addition, the task implies the need to organize remote hiring management. This will be a growth area for me. This is the kind of work I will look forward to every morning.

4. I am interested in this particular vacancy, because... it most closely matches my experience, combining both sales and marketing. As I already mentioned, at my last job I achieved an increase in sales in a new channel for the company by more than 25%. In addition, the team of professionals with whom I will work made a huge impression on me.

5. I have a clear understanding that your company is a company where I can do a lot of useful things right now. We discussed plans to launch new business lines in the coming year. I want to be part of the team during a period of such growth.

6. I won’t hide my interest in this position with you. (for example, accountant), because firstly, this work is 99% familiar to me, which will allow me to quickly understand and start working, and secondly, I will be as motivated as possible, because The company's office is located near me. It is a great success to get a combination of interesting work and work close to home.

It is important to know that modern recruiters, along with the professional qualities of their employees, greatly value such a thing as loyalty. All other things being equal, your genuine interest in the company can work in your favor and set you apart from the other candidates. There is a service on HeadHunter specifically for such purposes: with its help you can always let the company of your dreams know about you.

Good luck with your interviews!

A key role when searching for a job is played by the interview, which is why many people have the question of how to prepare for a meeting with an employer? And is it necessary? Or maybe an interview is the best place for improvisation?) Maybe so, maybe not. Everything depends on you, namely on your attitude to what is happening, but, nevertheless, I have prepared a hot list for you employer's main questions for the applicant, as well as possible answers to them. This is a kind of cheat sheet and, I assure you, it won’t hurt to glance over it) So, let’s go...

Tell us about yourself…
It seems like a harmless question, but quite often employers catch it from insecure applicants who begin to express their thoughts in a confusing manner and talk about facts from their lives that have nothing to do with their professional activities.

When answering this question, you should not talk about your personal life, limit yourself to the professional sphere. Moreover, present information only in a positive way. Better yet, give your interlocutor a unique selling proposition (USP) that will raise your price from $0 to $X) For example: “I am an experienced retail sales manager who has developed cost-cutting programs and techniques that have allowed (employer’s name) to increase income. by XXXXX $ over the last NN years.” Then you can continue: “I would like to discuss how I can do this for your company.”

And it is advisable to prepare for this question in advance, before the interview. Remember your successes and achievements, analyze them and select those that may interest the employer and convince him of your value.

Why are you interested in this vacancy?
Possible answers:
“This vacancy is promising and extremely interesting to me. Working in this position, I feel that I can gain self-realization, which is very important for me, gain good practical and theoretical skills and, of course, apply them in my work and benefit the company.”

“I want to work here because I believe that the requirements for the position fully correspond to my skills in the field of .... My work in a similar position in a previous company led to an increase in company revenue by 25%, and I can repeat the same, and perhaps even more, in your team.”

“This job is exactly what I have been looking for throughout my career. Your company is young and developing, and I want to be part of a growing business, because I feel that this is where I will achieve greater success.”

Why did you choose this particular education, this specialty?
“I have always liked subjects such as ... . While still at school, my ability and interest in this “awakened”, so I had very good grades in these disciplines. When the time came to enroll, I didn’t have any particular dilemma, in fact, that’s why I entered... the faculty. I studied with great pleasure and in general I have serious reasons to believe that my profession is my calling.”

And, perhaps, this is the most successful answer to this question. And if you also “accompany” him with a burning gaze, then the employer will not only get the impression that you have received a good education, but also that your knowledge fully meets his requirements. Of course, this works when you are looking for a job in your field.

If you are getting a job NOT based on your professional education, then... in such situations, I usually answered with a smile like this: “Unfortunately, it is not often possible to meet a person who has been able to hear the true aspirations of his soul since his school years. So I was no exception. My parents chose the institute for me, for which I am very grateful to them. I received a good, high-quality humanitarian (economic, legal, etc.) base, a foundation that gives me the opportunity to move into different professional directions.”

By the way, it is not worth saying that this specialty was very prestigious - this indicates your irrational priorities. It is also better to remain silent about the fact that you studied on a paid basis, because it is impossible to verify this. The less the employer knows, the fewer questions he asks you)

What are your strengths?
The question is asked to see how adequately the applicant assesses himself. When answering this question, you shouldn’t fly into the skies and make up fables from the series “we, kings, are modest people,” but you shouldn’t name such strengths that clearly contradict each other, for example: “I’m smart, educated, I can quickly make decisions, carefully analyze the market before concluding a deal” And what is the truth? The ability to “make quick decisions” or “carefully analyze the market before entering into a transaction”?

It makes more sense to focus the employer’s attention on one professional quality, for example: “I am very strong in the financial sector because I can quickly sort and analyze information and make successful forecasts based on it.”

What are your weaknesses?
The point of this question is not to find out about your shortcomings, but to see what benefits you can derive from them. In other words, put your shortcomings in a favorable light: “I, like many other people, can be lazy, but for me laziness is the engine of progress. I developed my own time planning system and now manage to do everything on time.”

Why did you want to change jobs?
Not a simple question, but a necessary one) When answering it, I advise you to use the GAME method... and in its purest form) Let's start with what you should NOT say when answering it: firstly, you should not say that you are quitting because that you are not satisfied with the management. Since after this in 99% of cases the question will follow... why exactly does it not suit you? Here, as you yourself understand, you will have to speak not entirely optimistic information to your superiors, and this is absolutely forbidden to do, no matter what the truth may be... After all, all the negativity that you voice, the future employer will subconsciously begin to try on himself. The question is, do you need it?! It’s also not worth saying that you didn’t have a good relationship with the team. On the contrary, if during an interview they ask about your relationships with co-workers, answer that you have become friends with some colleagues, and you just have friendly relations with the rest.

Now about what can and should be said... One of the most valid reasons is the company moving to the suburbs, a change of your place of residence or an upcoming layoff. If a counter question follows: “Why did you decide that it was you who would be laid off?”, you will be able to “get out” by answering that your other colleagues have dependents in their care - young children and disabled people - and according to the Labor Code of the Russian Federation they cannot be laid off in first rows. And since everyone is healthy and happy, you are not immune from layoffs. An excellent argument that suits the employer is delays in payment of wages. If you find a job in a completely “white” company, then among the reasons you can also indicate the fact that the employer gives part of the salary “in an envelope,” which does not suit you, since you are going to buy a car on credit or even a mortgage, for example. In addition, we can mention that the enterprise is unstable, management changes all the time, there are many competitors in this area of ​​business development, and so on.

I always answered this question by saying that I had “outgrown my workplace.” Having reached a certain level in professional development, this particular company no longer had opportunities for my further growth, and it is very important for me to acquire new knowledge and skills. By the way, after this it will be quite natural to say that you would like to slightly increase your salary.

Here is an example of a completely worthy answer: “I really liked the last team. We had a friendly atmosphere and I enjoyed coming to work every morning. But one of the reasons I had to leave it was that I felt that I had no prospects for further development. I really enjoyed working at my previous company and I appreciate the skills I acquired there, but at the same time I think that my knowledge could be implemented in another place that is more promising for further development and growth.”

An alternative question to this is Why did you quit your previous job? and, by the way, it is this that about 7% of HR considers one of the most important and informative. And just in case, I’m publishing possible answers to such a question as...

Why were you fired?
“My layoff was a blessing in disguise. I now have time to look for a job that will best suit my qualifications and interests. These motives brought me to your company.”

“The work was not going well, my boss and I came to a common, mutually beneficial decision for both of us. My past job was a great school for me, and now I have become much wiser. And now I’m here and ready to get to work.”

“A new manager came with his old team. It was his right. In my resignation, I see a huge number of opportunities for further professional development.”

“Certain personal problems that I had already resolved were the reason for this situation to arise. Now these problems have already been resolved and I am full of fresh ideas, as well as the strength to start new work.”

“In fact, I wanted my career to develop in a different direction, it was internal contradictions that led to me leaving my previous job. I feel that your vacancy is a place where I can realize myself fully.”

Another option, although not the best: “To be honest, I really needed a job and agreed to the first offer. But I don't want to repeat this mistake again. I want to work in a team where my skills and abilities will make a significant contribution to the company.”

What are your goals for the future?
What you don’t need to tell when answering this question is about your personal plans for the future, and even about those that potentially run counter to the company’s plans for you: “I dream of buying a house in Spain in a year and going there for Permanent residence!” It makes sense to link your goals with the possible goals of the employer, for example: “As I gain the necessary experience, I want to move up the career ladder and really hope that in the foreseeable future my competence will allow me to become a member of the company’s management team.”

A question may follow from the same series Where do you see yourself in 10 years? in order to determine your professional ambitions. And the answer to it should also be given from the “golden mean” category. Say that you are striving for a successful career, but do not show excessive self-confidence. You can answer something like this: “I plan to work long and productively in your company. In 10 years, I believe, I will already have enough knowledge and experience to join the management team of the company."

Why should we hire you?
One of the most provocative questions, the answer to which allows the employer to understand how confident you are in your abilities. Belief in one’s strengths and professional qualities is the most important characteristic of a good professional. And here you should briefly talk about your achievements and professional experience.

Often, I even answered this question too self-confidently... well, that is, I PLAYED) “Because you are unlikely to find a better candidate than me. I have an excellent theoretical and practical basis in order to qualitatively “join” the work, but, perhaps, the most important thing... is my great desire to work and develop in THIS direction. I like THIS direction. And I have every reason to believe that this is truly MINE! This means that I will do my work with pleasure and with good quality!” As a rule, after this tirade, spoken in a positive and confident manner, this issue was immediately closed)

Will your personal life interfere with your work?
Most often, this question is asked to young women, fearing that they will get bogged down in a series of love affairs or go on maternity leave. There is no need to make excuses here; the answer should be short and very categorical: “No, it won’t hurt.” And, as they say, we passed)

At what salary level do you consider offers from employers?
The employer is trying to “feel out” how much you value yourself. And, often, save money. It is most reasonable to ask the employer what salary level his vacancy assumes, if the figure is not indicated in the advertisement or on the website. But, as a rule, if you are asked this question, and even if it is done by HR, then it is unlikely that you will be able to get an answer from him first (

It also happens when the applicant negotiates a higher amount. True, this must be done skillfully and based on an imperturbable sense of self-esteem based on self-confidence, otherwise it turns into bargaining, and this is inappropriate at an interview. Therefore, if you are not satisfied with the figure indicated in the advertisement, it is better not to consider such vacancies at all, but if, in general, you are satisfied, then mention exactly this figure.

What is your salary level now?
I have always answered this question by indicating a figure slightly higher than it actually was, although many argue that this is easy to check by looking at the applicant’s 2-NDFL, which indicates all your income for the current year and which is provided from the previous year places of work to calculate tax deductions. BUT excuse me... this 2-personal income tax is already provided upon registration (!) and no one will ask you to bring it to the interview. And then... will you personally hand it over to the person who interviewed you? Eichar? The head of the department?! Do they even need him? And do you think they don’t have other, more important pieces of paper?!)
This certificate is submitted to the accounting department, and even if HR sees it, firstly, it is unlikely that he will remember what amount was discussed on your part during the interview (Are you just one candidate or, perhaps, are you getting a job one day?) ), and secondly, you can always say that you received N amount monthly in an envelope. Well, that was your bonus... for overtime)

How long in total did you work at your last job?
If the time period coincides with the dates specified in the work book or in the contract, then say so.

If you initially worked without formalizing an employment relationship, be sure to talk about this so that the HR manager will add your unofficial length of service to the official one. Moreover, in your resume, I advise you to indicate the length of service not according to the work book, but the actual one: as much as you worked, if it is longer.

Well, it’s a completely different matter when you have so-called “blank spots” in your employment record, which are not very attractive to the employer. And, perhaps, this is a separate topic for a post, which I promise to post in the near future.

What did you do in your last place?
In other words, this question implies what exactly was included in your job responsibilities and in answering it, you should list everything that you actually did at work. But remember that they should be served in such a “tasty” manner that it will undoubtedly arouse the employer’s appetite. Give him what he wants: start by listing the main responsibilities and gradually move on to less important ones, but state them in the employer's words so that they coincide with those specified in the advertisement. This will cause the effect of “recognizing your candidate”

Yes, and let me remind you that the worst answer to this question would be: “But everything is written on my resume...”)

How do you think you handled your responsibilities in the workplace?
"Golden mean". You shouldn’t be modest, but you shouldn’t overpraise yourself either. It will be enough to say that you completed all tasks efficiently and on time, that you planned your working hours independently and never let your management down, as evidenced by the lack of comments addressed to you. It may be recalled that you were often entrusted with more complex tasks that were not part of your normal job responsibilities.

A similar question to this is How do you assess your professionalism? but only 2% of employers ask it. Among them, he is considered one of the most useless because it is difficult to convey the level of professionalism in words. This problem is perfectly solved by a probationary period, which reveals all the advantages and disadvantages of the employee. Less often, at another stage of the interview, the applicant is asked to fill out professional tests, which can also be used to judge his level of professionalism.

What do you know about our company?
It’s a tricky question) and, perhaps, you should take care of this information in advance, because no matter what, an answer that does not satisfy the employer in this case will definitely give an advantage in the direction of refusal. The worst thing that can happen in this situation is... no answer at all. Spend half an hour on the Internet in a more constructive way than on Odnoklassniki) and allow the employer to feel pride in his company during the interview, which... many applicants, including you, know about)

Start with what the company does, what place it occupies in its niche, what prospects await the organization, and so on. It will be very beneficial for you to tell the employer some little-known fact from the life of the company; this will definitely increase your “chance of winning.” Tell management as many positive things about their company as possible, but don't go into overt flattery.

Have you undergone additional training, training, or advanced training courses?
Perhaps the employer will want to hold in his hands documentary evidence of your positive answer, but perhaps not. But still, the likelihood that he will will is still small) But the fact that he can ask several questions about the content of the training courses you listed is perhaps worth taking into account. And in general, think about it... maybe your education coupled with past work experience is quite enough?)

Do you have any references from past work experience?
And here’s the catch: the employer will not necessarily make inquiries about you, but if you give him the opportunity to do this, then this will be a definite plus for you.

And it’s not worth worrying too much about this... it’s not at all necessary to “bow at the feet” of your former boss for this purpose, and even if you parted not very amicably, it will be useless. But it will be very cool to give contacts of your former colleagues, perhaps even someone from the accounting department.

What area do you live in?
Name the area in which you actually live. And if the employer begins to express doubts about your nearby residence, assure him that it will not be difficult for you to come to work on time.

And, in general, this is a fairly complete list of basic questions that can be asked to an applicant during an interview. Or they may not be asked... about 8% of company personnel services do not prepare interview questions in advance at all, but most often improvise directly during a conversation with a particular candidate, which, in their opinion, is much more effective.

And, of course, we should not forget about unpredictable and illogical questions... for example, many applicants for a vacancy in one large company were shocked by the interview question: “If you are sailing on an oil tanker and it sinks... What will you do?” By the way, the answer was unknown to the personnel officer) Therefore, here... PLAY! After all, by asking such questions, the employer plays. He doesn’t need an answer to this question, he needs your reaction... To the above question, I would answer something like this: “I would lay out a sun lounger and begin to sunbathe. Maybe I’d even have time to make myself a mojito.”

And remember that you should not concentrate only on the answers, because you already know the power of the internal state. Andrey Mesechko, PR director of the recruiting company Pride Consulting Group confirms this: “In the process of communication, we receive a significant part of information through non-verbal signals that go directly to the subconscious, bypassing consciousness. This is precisely what is associated with, for example, the appearance of internal antipathy towards a person for no apparent reason. Our feelings in this case can be expressed something like this: the person seems to look good and says the right things (level of consciousness), but something is still wrong with him (level of subconscious). And since everything that we perceive subconsciously is not subject to analysis and criticism from the conscious mind, it most firmly settles and is remembered: after some time we can no longer accurately reproduce the words that the person uttered, but the “residue” left after communication, don’t forget much longer.”

Good luck with your interview!)

Do you need a perfect resume, but what you end up with is a creaky Soviet-era bureaucracy, a set of beautiful but completely empty words, or a pseudo-creative story? Look at your resume soberly! Now think with us why you are writing it.

The main purpose of your resume is to secure an invitation to an interview. The perfect resume is your ticket!
It means that:
1) you must have it (if there is no “pass”, you simply will not be allowed further);
2) it must be executed correctly;
3) it’s better if you have not just a pass, but a pass of the highest category. With it, they will not only let you through, but will also escort you past the line and immediately open the doors.

You write out VIP passes for interviews yourself - at home, on a park bench or at a table in a cafe, from or from a laptop through the website. Nothing more is needed.

How to fill out a resume with information so that it becomes a VIP pass?

You can enter your personal information (name, age, place of residence) without our advice. The main thing that the recruiter will look at is your position and the results of your work in last place.

If you are applying for any interesting, highly paid job, then you will have to present quite a large amount of information - and this is precisely the danger! Please note: each point in the description of your work experience should be clearly understandable to almost anyone. Every point on your resume should answer “yes!” when asked whether they should invite you for an interview.

Every line of your resume should answer the employer’s question: “Why should I invite this person for an interview?”

Position is the answer to the question “Who are you?” The answer must be quick, clear, leaving no doubt. A good answer to such a question is, for example: “vip client relations manager.” Bad answers: “manager”, “specialist”, “employee”. Such answers do NOT allow you to make a decision. Mission failed...

The last place of work is the answer to the question: “What does the company do?” If she is not from the top 5, it is possible that the employer sees her name for the first time. But even if you worked in the Presidential Administration or at the Moscow Zoo, write two lines. Don’t leave “blank spots” - manage your correspondence conversation with the employer!

Responsibilities and achievements (work experience). This is the most difficult moment. All the most painful mistakes are in it.

Do you see the difference? The most common mistake is to say “did such and such” instead of “did such and such.” But for some reason, the majority write exactly this way: “I was involved in working with clients,” “Managed the development team.” Well, most likely this is obvious even from the post! Your pass doesn't work...

In the “Experience” and “Achievements” columns, the employer wants to see a “stamp” - confirmation that the applicant is able to achieve a specific (and ideally, the desired result for this particular company).

And never, please, never write “held a position”!

Exercise

Using our sample, write down one or two main tasks that were set for you when you were hired. They must be formulated very specifically. Look how simple it is:

And the three main results that you achieved from starting work until filling out your resume:

Stop. Already good. Do you know how to make the description of the results perfect? Add more specifics that will make the employer’s eyes light up.

Fine	Perfect
Exceeded the plan to identify client needs and offer new services over the phone on a daily basis. Made 130 calls (with a plan of 100), brought 45% to sales (with a plan of 30%).	Every day he exceeded the plan to identify client needs (including MTS, VTB, Novatek) and offer new services. Made 130 calls (with a plan of 100), brought 45% to sales (with a plan of 30%).
Calculated the number of specialists to complete the project and the key requirements for them. Assessed professional competencies during selection. Within a month, I completely formed a team of 7 people, which is successfully completing tasks to this day.	Within a week, I calculated the number and requirements for specialists needed to create an online store. Over the course of a month, I conducted a professional assessment of 40 candidates and, together with a human resources specialist, selected 15 people, including those at the level of department heads. The project was completed a month ahead of schedule and accepted by the client (Bosch) without any complaints.
	Your own example.

When describing your most recent work experience, follow this structure:

The tasks for which you were hired by the company;
what you did to solve these problems (and beyond that, if any);
what the company got as a result of your decisions.

Don't have the perfect resume yet? You have a way

It’s not worth it, even if you really think that this place of work will help you realize yourself. The question “What do you want to get out of work?” It just looks simple. It would seem, what could a person want to get from work? Good conditions, high salary, opportunity to move up the career ladder, social package.

The question is aimed at identifying your motivation. You can answer this way: “My professional experience and knowledge helped double the sales of my previous company. I think I can do the same on this one.”

Answers: “I want to communicate with people” or “I am satisfied with the working conditions and salary”, “I have long wanted to do this...”, “This work seems interesting to me” also have their place. Try to show that you want to work for the future, that you can and know how to work in a team. An appropriate answer would be: “I would like to expand my experience...”, “I am ready to work in a new team... I get along with people easily.”

Any question, even the most tricky one, should play into your hands. Turn it to your advantage. “I would like to get from this work not only positive emotions, but also real results: high sales, etc.”

But the most important thing when answering this question, and in an interview in general, is sincerity. Be confident and tell the truth. The lie will be revealed sooner or later. And your behavior, if you are lying, may immediately alert experienced personnel officers.

When looking for a new job, be patient; you may have to go through more than one interview. You may have to accept rejections. Don't despair, be who you really are, and a good job will definitely find you.

Today we will find the answer to the employer’s main question: why should he hire you? Indeed, by what criteria do HR people choose one or another resume? What needs to be included in it to be guaranteed an invitation to an interview?

It’s a mystery why, out of many potential partners, we choose the one and only one. Scientists have several explanations for why this happens.

Over the past millennia, the nature of mate choice has not changed much. Women still focus on the social status of a man, and men, in turn, on the physical attractiveness and youth of a woman.

But on the other hand, many scientists believe that at present it is social, and not biological, prerequisites that play a decisive role in the formation of a couple. Women really pay attention first of all to what status a man plays in society, but only as long as a woman’s business qualities are not encouraged. As soon as this happens, women also look at physical attractiveness, youth and personal qualities.

In modern society, both partners work to form a common budget. The ability to cook and wash well no longer plays a decisive role, as in the last century. This example clearly demonstrates how cultural norms change in society and how they affect what we find or do not find attractive.

One of the factors influencing the emergence of mutual sympathy is the opportunity to constantly see each other. Of course, we all know cases when such closeness provoked conflicts and quarrels, but this is rather an exception to the rule. It is constant contact that is the reason for such frequent romances at work or during study. Constant communication flows first into friendship, and then often into romantic relationships.

Physical attractiveness also plays an important role. Each person has his own concepts of beauty, which are partly dictated by the standards prevailing in society. But still, special preferences for one type or another are given on a subconscious level. If we like a person, we strive to get to know him better and thereby complete the portrait in order to understand how similar he is to our ideal.

Personal qualities are especially valued in a partner. The ability to listen, kindness, and attentiveness often turn out to be decisive arguments in the “like or dislike” assessment.

And finally, similar character traits or appearance are assessed positively by us. We are attracted to those who are similar to us. It is often easier to communicate with such a person; it is as if he speaks the same language with us. In addition, in this way we will make a psychological transference. We think: "This person is beautiful, he is very similar to me. So I am beautiful too." And who doesn't want to be beautiful?

Question "Why are you interested in this position?" will definitely be asked at the interview. And even if this does not happen, you still need to touch on this topic in your story. It is better to explain step by step why this vacancy is suitable for you (and you - the company).

There is a fairly simple and effective way to answer this question, without having to describe all the important moments or turning points in your life and career that led you to this interview. We offer you the following option for structuring your answer:

Step 1: Show your enthusiasm for the job and the company

First, this is a great opportunity to show what you know about the company. You can talk all day about how interested you are in joining their team, but nothing beats mentioning a few facts about the company. To better prepare, spend some time at home brushing up on your knowledge of the company and select a few key factors to include in your story that show how well you'd be a fit.

Let's say you're interviewing for a small asset management company. You could start with something like:

“The first thing that caught my eye when I saw your vacancy was the clients you work with. I know you work with fairly large funds (such as...), have a small team and use a variety of long and short term equity strategies using a quantitative approach.”

Especially for smaller companies, it's always impressive when a candidate knows a few facts about what's going on in the company. To do this, it is best to occasionally browse the company's website or speak briefly with a current or former employee to learn enough as if you were following the company.

Step 2: Tell us about your skills and experience

Next, you must show why you are the right person for the role. There are two ways to do this: you can focus more on your experience (what you've done before that got you here) or your skills (especially useful if you're changing roles or industries).

Try to understand what the core part of the role involves, plus add a couple of “necessary skills” from the job description. Combine your “admiration for the company” with a good argument for “why you are a great fit for the company”:

“This position will allow me to combine two things: the programming skills I learned as a senior software developer and my aptitude for quantitative analysis. This position will allow me to pursue my interest in investing and portfolio management.”

You'll have plenty of opportunities to talk about how you acquired your skills or related stories throughout the interview, but stay focused and highlight a few of your key abilities for the position or relevant experience.

Step 3: Outline Your Career Path

Finally, you must show that this position is a logical extension of your career. You should not give the impression that you will use this position as a springboard. Show that you plan to stay with the company for a long time, and your interviewer will feel like they can invest in you:

“I became interested in moving into finance quite a long time ago, so I have been managing my own funds for several years now. Joining your team is important to me, I think this is one of the few places where I can use my technical skills and work in finance at the same time. I can’t wait to learn more and contribute to the company’s growth.”

Of course, you shouldn’t say that you see yourself in this position for a long time. Just show that you see the work as meaningful to you now, and that it will continue to make sense for the foreseeable future.

Linking these three components together, you'll impress on three fronts: your knowledge and admiration for the company, your relevant skills, and your overall suitability for the position. Plus, this approach has the added benefit of not interrupting your conversation with the interviewer or taking them off into the wild like telling your entire life story would.