How Did You Hear About This Position?

Nilda Melissa Diaz, CPRW
By Nilda Melissa Diaz, CPRW, Career Advice Expert Last Updated: October 26, 2022

Our customers have been hired at: *Foot Note

How did you hear about this position? is one of those extremely common interview questions that seem innocuous and even unnecessary to those who are new to the interviewing process. In some cases- this question may be phrased just a bit differently- such as “Where did you hear about us?” or possibly “How did you become aware of this opportunity?” In the end- they all mean the same thing- and the employers are all searching for the same information. This is a straightforward question which interviewers can use to help determine whether you’re an active job seeker or a passive one. This evaluation has a lot to say about your enthusiasm for the job in question and how you can be expected to perform in the workplace if you are offered the position which you’re interviewing for. While a lot rides on this or similarly worded interview questions- there is no need to stress over it. Taking a moment to research and prepare can help interviewees generate a response that is sure to make an excellent impression on the interviewer and help them stand out from the rest of the applicants on the list.

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How to Answer the How Did You Hear About This Position Interview Question

Be excited

Any employer wants people who are passionate about the work they will be performing because it means they will be self-motivated and really invested in the job which they are to complete on a daily basis. Therefore- regardless of how it is you heard about the job- be explicit in detail when it comes to what caught your eye about the position you're interviewing for and what made you decide to apply in the first place. This shows the potential employer that you have taken an active role in searching for viable career opportunities for yourself and that you have put a great deal of thought into what you want in a job and in your future as well. This motivation will never fail to impress a good boss and can earn an interviewee some major points.

Name-dropping

If you happen to have heard about the employment opportunity in question from someone who already works in the company- it may be beneficial to drop this connection's name. Having professional contacts shows that you have taken the initiative to do some networking throughout your job hunt- and sometimes it's simply all about who you happen to know. However- in the event that you know the referring employee is in some hot water or otherwise unpleasant standing with the business you're interviewing with- it might- of course- be better to avoid mentioning the name if possible. This could lead the interviewer to assume that you might share the same values as your friend or professional contact- which could lead to you no longer being considering as a good fit for the company's business practices.

Don't be vague

When it comes to responding to the "How did you hear about this position?" question- vague- one-word answers are a surefire way to show that you have little investment or interest in the position you're interviewing for. Rather- you should act excited to have found the opportunity in question. In the even that it's been a while and you simply can't remember where you came across the job- it's fine to say so. Don't simply make something up in an attempt to make yourself look good- as any dishonesty in answering interview questions can backfire at any moment and have critical consequences for your chances at obtaining the position.

Sample How Did You Hear About This Position Interview Answers

1. I heard about this position from one of your current employees- Theresa Doe. She was my coworker when I worked for Company- where I served as a sales representative for five years. She recently notified me that your company might have a few positions opening up- so I did a little research to see what might be available. This position really stood out to me as somewhere where I can use my talents and my skills to the best of my ability and learn a lot more about the industry as my career grows and develops. I'm very excited for the opportunities which getting this position can provide me and the chance to work in such an excellent company.

2. I found this position on an online listing. There were several similar positions available- but this one really seemed to stand out as a golden career opportunity. After doing a little research on the company and the requirements of this position- I decided it would be a place which could benefit from my unique set of skills and which would provide me with a great atmosphere in which to grow professionally- so I decided to apply. I'm very excited about the potential to obtain this job.

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