“How did you hear about us?” is one of the first questions employers ask job applicants during an interview. It's a question that can trip up even the most prepared job seeker. Usually, the best way to answer this question is to be honest and briefly explain how you found out about the job opening. But, sometimes, this might not be the best solution.
Continue reading to learn more about how to answer this common interview question.
Why Do Employers Ask “How Did You Hear About This Job?”
Employers ask this particular question for a few reasons.
First, they want to learn whether you heard about the position from their employee, which could give you leverage over the other applicants. Second, they may want to know if you found out about the job through a job board or another website so they can gauge where their recruitment efforts are most effective.
Finally, this question serves as an icebreaker at the beginning of the interview. Still, you need to be careful when answering the question because you'll lower your chances of getting a job offer if you make a mistake.
How To Answer the “How Did You Hear About Us?” Question
When answering this question, try to prove that you're the right candidate for the job by sharing what you know about the company. Show excitement about the job opening, be honest (if honesty won't hurt your chances of getting a job), and briefly elaborate on your answer. Remember to keep it concise and up to a few sentences long, no more.
The best answer to the "How did you hear about this position?" question contains the following:
Enthusiasm
Candidates excited about the job are more likely to get hired because employers want to see that they are genuinely interested in the role. Sharing why the company or position, in particular, caught your interest is a great place to start.
Conciseness
Being concise is also among the top things to keep in mind when answering the “How did you hear about us?” question.
Specify where you found the job listing. The company website, a job board, and an employee referral are a few examples. If you can't remember, don't come up with a random source because the interviewer knows where they advertised the job opening.
A Company Employee’s Referral (if Applicable)
If their employee mentioned the job opening to you and encouraged you to apply, say their name to show that you have a connection with someone at the company. Also, explain why this person thinks you're a good fit for the job.
The Best Way To Answer “How Did You Hear About the Position?”
Telling the truth is always the best approach to this question. If you're comfortable doing so, explain how you found out about the job and why you want to work for the company in a few sentences. Any of the following examples is the right way to do so, if applicable:
- You discovered the job opening through an online job board, a career website, or while searching for jobs on LinkedIn, Indeed, or elsewhere.
- A friend or colleague who already works at the company encouraged you to apply because they think you'd be a great fit.
- You can also explain how you heard about the job opening by reading a press release or some other source that made you interested in the position.
- A company recruiter contacted you after seeing your resume on a job board or careers website.
- If applying for remote work, focus on the fact that working from home improves your performance rather than on the benefits the position would bring you.
When answering, try to prepare the groundwork for the questions that will likely come up later in the interview regarding your strengths, reasons why you are searching for a new position, and so forth. Also, remember to research and find a good reason for applying if telling the truth won't bring you closer to the job offer, which brings us to the next point.
Mistakes You Should Avoid
These are some mistakes to avoid when answering the "How did you hear about us?" question:
- Don't make up stories; try to remember where you learned about the job
- Refrain from telling something untrue because the interviewers will likely pick up on it, and you’ll have made yourself a problem for no good reason.
- Pay attention not to bring up anything that may sound like you are searching for any job you can get; this is likely to convince the recruiters that you aren't the right fit for them.
“Where Did You Hear About Us?” - Examples of Good Answers
One of the good answers to this question is:
"I came across your job posting on LinkedIn while searching for remote content writer positions. The job description seemed like a potential match for my skills and experience, so I decided to apply and learn more about the opportunity, especially since working from home improves my performance and productivity."
The following example also makes for a good story regarding how you heard about the job:
"I had heard good things about your company from your colleague, and after looking at the website, I decided to apply. I'm excited about this opportunity because remote work improves my productivity and the job itself speaks to me."
Bottom Line
If an interviewer asks you how you heard about their company, the best way to answer this question is by being truthful. If you're uncomfortable telling the truth or doing so won't benefit your job application, remember your research and give an answer that could be true, but ensure it can’t be verified.
Also, provide a concise answer to the "How did you hear about the position?" question. Finally, prepare for follow-up queries regarding salary expectations, your strengths and weaknesses, and other common questions that will likely pop up.
