| James Innes
What do you know about the vacancy for which you are applying?
Alternative and related questions:
Why have you applied for this vacancy?
What appeals to you most about this vacancy?
The meaning behind the question:
The interviewer wants to make sure you really understand the role for which you are applying – and that you fully appreciate what would be involved if you were to be appointed to the role. If they haven’t questioned you separately about this then they will also be trying to glean why it is that you applied for this vacancy and why it appeals to you.
Your answer:
Clearly, if you don’t have a reasonably thorough understanding of the role (from the job description or person specification, etc.) then you shouldn’t even be at the interview. You need to demonstrate comprehensively to the interviewer that you fully appreciate what the role entails and, ideally, you want to try to pre-empt the next question in this chapter, Question 34, “How do your skills and experience match the job description/person specification?”
For advice on how to deal with explaining why it is that you have applied for this vacancy – and why it appeals to you – please refer to the separate questions, “Why have you applied for this vacancy?” in the previous chapter and “What appeals to you most about this vacancy” – Question 35 below.
Example:
I’ve carefully studied both the job description and the person specification so I believe I’m fully aware of the precise duties and responsibilities the role entails. You’ve also helped to clarify a few points during the course of this interview.
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