‘What Did You Like Most About Your Job?’ – How to Answer This Interview Question
The ‘what did you like most about your job?’ interview question catches many people by surprise. They are used to being told how hiring managers are more likely to ask what they liked least about a previous role.
However, it is a more commonly asked interview question than you might think. We focus on how to answer it in this article.
Why Do Employers Ask the ‘What Did You Like Most About Your Job?’ Interview Question?
Letting go of a job you love to pursue something more is a tough challenge for many people. You enjoy the role but know that your career won’t reach the heights it could if you remain in your current position.
However, hiring managers aren’t necessarily interested in hearing your thoughts about past jobs. Instead, they want to see how you handle such a tricky question. They listen to your tone of voice and gauge your attitude when describing the things you liked (and disliked) about other jobs.
The interviewer also wants to know what you’re seeking in a future role. The way you answer this question will help them determine if you are a good fit for the company’s culture. It is possibly a red flag if you can’t think of many positives! It could mark you down as someone who is hard to please or complains a lot, even if this is an unfair description.
How to Answer the ‘What Did You Like Most About Your Job?’ Interview Question
We have divided this section into three things you should do and three things you certainly should NOT do.
The Right Approach
1 – Research
As is the case when preparing for any interview question, research is critical. Write a list of the things you enjoyed the most and how the job you’re interviewing for compares. Look at what you liked about your duties, your manager, and your colleagues. Is there anything positive about this company that reminds you of things you liked in previous roles?
2 – Positivity
When answering this question, display energy and enthusiasm. Outline the positives of previous roles that fit the company’s requirements. Maintain professionalism, but don’t be afraid to respond to this question in detail. Above all, please answer the question confidently, like you were expecting it and are well-prepared.
3 – Stick to the Big Stuff
Go straight into how you enjoyed a positive work-life balance at your last role or the fact the boss always heard your voice. Maybe you loved the chance to work in a fast-paced environment, or else you liked being part of a supportive team.
The Wrong Approach
1 – Negativity
When answering this question, you must do so with nothing but positivity. Avoid sharing something that you paint you, or a past employer, manager, or colleague, in a bad light. There is no need for it, and such information makes you seem like an individual with a grudge.
2 – Irrelevant Information
Regardless of how much you enjoyed your company’s coffee mornings, there isn’t any need to include it in your answer. Focusing on the free muffins makes it seem like you don’t have anything substantial to say. You also need to ensure that whatever you say relates to the job you’re applying for somehow.
3 – Vague Responses
If you provide a generic answer or one that doesn’t even scratch the surface, you look unprepared. Make sure you are detailed in what you liked about a past job.
‘What Did You Like Most About Your Job?’ – Best Way To Answer
We have included three sample answers, which you can use regardless of the industry.
“I loved the outstanding level of collaboration at my last role. It was genuinely refreshing to be part of a team that worked harmoniously towards the same goal. Our manager also encouraged us to come forward with ideas. Even if he disagreed with them, he never made anyone feel embarrassed for coming up with something. The team supported one another, and if someone was having problems, they didn’t hesitate to reach out and look for help because they knew a colleague was always willing to assist.”
“One of the most important things for me is to enjoy a good work-life balance. By doing so, I find that I retain the energy and passion I need to perform to a high standard at work. My last job was fantastic because it gave me the freedom and control that I needed. Like this role, my last one enabled me to work on a flexible schedule. My manager trusted me to complete my tasks on time and to the requisite standard, and I didn’t let him down. With my last role, I generally woke up with a smile on my face, ready to give my all.”
“Having the ability to choose between a diverse range of tasks was one of the best features of my previous job. My organisation worked closely with a variety of societies and charities. As a result, the list of tasks I received included project management, public relations, strategy, and marketing. Each project provided a different challenge, which I thrived upon. As well as learning a wide range of skills to help the company, I was able to approach each new task with a fresh mindset. This, in turn, increased my level of creativity.”
Final Thoughts on Answering the ‘What Did You Like Most About Your Job?’ Interview Question
This is one of several possible interview questions where you’ll need to provide a measured answer. Similar queries include:
- What did you like least about your last job?
- Why did you decide to leave your last role?
- What makes this company better than your previous employer?
Ultimately, answering this question involves remaining positive and offering a detailed, well-thought-out answer. Your goal is to show that you’re a good fit for the organisation and the job. It is hard to leave a job you love, but show the interviewer that you’re ready to pour even more passion into your next role.
Keep on reading
- Best questions to ask at the end of an interview.
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