Besides learning more about your qualifications and prior experience, employers use interviews as an opportunity to discover why you applied to their company in the first place.
You may be asked questions about how familiar you are with the company and how you discovered the job opening. This article explains how to answer, “How did you hear about this job?”
Why Employers Ask This Question
Employers want to learn how you learned of their position so they can gauge where their recruitment efforts are most effective. Additionally, they’re curious about what made you choose their company during your job search.
Employers are looking to see if you researched the company and are genuinely interested in the position. They also want to find out if you have any internal connections within the company.
We know that sometimes the answer is simply: “Because I need a job.” That’s totally understandable. However, there’s still a way for that to be the underlying answer while also showing genuine optimism for the role. Let’s talk about it.
How to Answer, “How Did You Hear About This Job?’
Your answer can highlight that you are actively looking for a job and felt this company aligned with your values and what you want for your future.
- Show your excitement: Employers are looking for candidates with genuine interest in the role. Share why the company caught your interest—mention aspects like company culture, its values, or employee development opportunities (this also shows that you’ve done your research.)
- Highlight relevant connections: If you learned about this job from a current employee, the employer is likely to ask them about your personality and professional experience. Professional references may help you stand out compared to other candidates.
- Be specific: Share the exact place you found the job application and discuss why you looked there. You can also talk about why their job posting stood out to you. If you were recruited, be honest about that—but make sure to follow up with why this opportunity appeals to you.
RELATED: How to Answer, “Why Are You Leaving Your Current Job?”
Example Answers
We’ve discussed the basics of what to include in your response. Next, we’ll go over some examples on how to answer, “How did you hear about this job?” You can tweak these to be more specific to your own experiences and wherever you may have heard about the job, which may not be covered here.
1. From An Employee
If you heard about the position from a current worker, mention their name and the department they are in. You should also discuss how you know this person (whether through work, school, or personal life) and what qualities you have that led them to recommend the position to you. If the connection talked positively about the company and working there, share what you’ve learned and ask more questions about it!
2. From An Online Job Posting
If you found the job through online job boards such as LinkedIn or Indeed, tell the employer exactly which platform you used. Mention why this opportunity stood out among other postings and what you think you can contribute to the team based on their job description.
3. From The Company Website
Finding the job through their company website shows that you have interest in this specific organization. Tell the employer why that is and what qualities you have that would make you the right fit for the role.
4. From A Recruiter
By telling the company that a recruiter informed you of the role, you’re showing that someone besides the hiring manager already believes you’d be a great fit for the role. That means you’re off to a great start! Even though you didn’t seek out the position yourself, emphasize why you decided to apply and highlight the qualities that led to the recruiter reaching out.
READ NEXT: 6 Interview Strategies to Help You Stand Out
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