Why do you want to work in this industry?
Similar interview questions:
What attracts you to our industry?
Are you more interested in the role you perform or the industry in which you work?
Are you comfortable working your way up in our industry?
What do you know about our industry?
Why the interviewer is asking this question:
This question is asked by employers in specific industries such as tech, finance, insurance, retail, manufacturing, etc. to gauge whether the candidate is specifically interested in the industry or is simply seeking a job in any industry. It is a question normally asked of someone who has not yet worked in the specific industry of the employer.
The best approach to answering this question:
Know the industry well before the interview. You should understand what makes the industry attractive as a place to work and reflect that in your answer. This is a due diligence question to measure whether you have done your employer and industry research in advance.
An example of how to best answer this question for experienced candidates:
"I have worked in the financial services industry for most of my career and my experience is well aligned with the needs of the insurance industry. I have specifically supported the insurance sector during my last role, so I have a solid understanding of the business drivers for the insurance industry…"
An example of how to best answer this question for entry level candidates:
"I worked in the technology department for an insurance company as my internship last summer. That experience has focused my desire to be fully committed to working in tech specifically within the tech industry. The tools we used in my internship were first class, but tech was always a sideline department, rather than being the primary focus. So I’m looking to be all in with tech in my future career."
An example of how you should not answer this question:
"Well, I don’t really know much about the industry. I just applied for this job because I thought the job was a match for my background. What can you tell me about your industry?"
Further review: know the answers to these Standard Interview Questions to be fully prepared for your interview!