An interview for an entry-level job or internship often includes questions that help the hiring manager understand what motivated you to apply for the job. Preparing in advance for questions such as “What do you hope to gain from this experience?” can help you evaluate and confidently describe your professional goals. In this article, we discuss why employers ask what you hope to gain from a new job experience and we offer some ways to confidently answer this question.
- Show that you know what the opportunity involves. …
- Show that you’ve put thought into your job search and are targeting specific areas. …
- Explain how this opportunity fits your interests and goals.
What do you hope to gain from this experience? – Day 1
Discuss your motivation
You may describe why you think this job at this company could help you develop certain skills or is a good example of the kind of working environment you think fits your style. For example, if you are interviewing for a position at a social media marketing firm, you might talk about aspects of the companys social media strategy you admire and explain why you think that approach is something you can learn from. You could also sincerely talk about any managers or employees who have won awards you respect and talk about how the companys mission statement and culture match your values.
Why employers ask “What do you hope to gain from this experience?”
To distinguish you from other entry-level or internship job applicants, a prospective employer may try to find out what you expect from the available job. Your answers can help the interviewer know if you and the company are a good match so you can gain on-the-job training and experience.
When you are first entering the job market, either for your first permanent position or as an intern, thoughtful answers to interview questions can sometimes provide a better indication of your career potential than your resume. Without job experience to talk about, an interviewer may be interested in learning about your career goals both for the position you are applying for and for the long-term. When your goals align with the work and the companys mission statement, you are likely to be a more promising candidate.
In addition to listening to your response, the interviewer is also likely to evaluate your poise and confidence when discussing your hopes for the position.
Explain what first interested you about the job.
When you demonstrate a thorough understanding of the job and its responsibilities, you show the hiring manager you have applied thoughtfully and learned as much as you could before the interview. Use specific language from the posted job description and describe what was interesting or exciting to you.
Examples
Here are some examples to consider when answering this interview question:
7 sample answers to “What do you hope to gain from this experience/internship?” interview question
* May also interest you: Answers to 15 most common interview questions.
Talk also about giving, not only about gaining something from their job, program, or internship
Your attitude matters the most for the interviewers. Surely, nobody would work if they did not get anything in return–salary, experiences, feeling of fulfillment, or any other thing people seek while applying for low paid or even unpaid internship positions in big corporations.
But good employees also want to give something back, and you should present this attitude in your interview. Say what you expect to gain, and add what you hope to bring onboard, how you hope to help your new employer. Check sample answers no. 3 and no. 6 for great examples of this attitude.
Why do they ask this question?
For those people of less experience like students looking for a summer job or those fresh out of college, the interviewer knows that he/she needs to select the one who has the enthusiasm to learn and work for them wholeheartedly. An interviewer is also a human who is cautious about making a costly decision. They ask this type of question because they don’t want to waste their Time hiring some lazy and apathetic person.
This type of person would care less about gaining any experience. They are here just for the rewards that the company has to offer them. Therefore, Your terrific answer can land you into that role you are hoping to get into. So, how to answer this question is crucial for anyone to earn that role among a thousand others who will apply.
FAQ
Why do you hope to gain from work experience?
- Self-reliance. To an extent, university also helps you develop self-reliance. …
- Interpersonal skills. …
- Problem-solving skills. …
- Commercial awareness. …
- Maturity. …
- Teamwork. …
- Practical skills. …
- Self-confidence and self-esteem.
