“Why did you choose this field?” caught Emma off guard during her marketing coordinator interview last month. She had prepared for questions about her experience and skills, but stumbled when asked to explain her career motivation, giving a generic response about “enjoying creativity” that left the interviewer unconvinced.
This fundamental question appears in countless interviews, and I’ll show you exactly how to craft a compelling answer that demonstrates genuine passion while highlighting your strategic career thinking.
New frequently asked question of the interviewer today, based on data: What book best describes you?
Why employers ask “Why did you choose this field?”
Employers use this question to evaluate three critical aspects of your candidacy. First, they want to gauge your genuine passion and long-term commitment to the industry. Someone who chose their field deliberately is more likely to stay engaged and motivated through challenges. Second, interviewers assess whether you understand what the role actually entails—many candidates apply without truly grasping day-to-day responsibilities. Finally, they’re testing your self-awareness and ability to articulate your decision-making process.
Research from talent acquisition firm Robert Half indicates that 73% of hiring managers ask some variation of this question during initial interviews. The response often determines whether candidates advance to subsequent rounds, making this seemingly simple question surprisingly high-stakes.
Variations of “Why did you choose this field?”
Interviewers often phrase this fundamental question in multiple ways to catch candidates off guard. Here are common variations you might encounter:
- What drew you to this industry?
- How did you decide on this career path?
- What sparked your interest in this field?
- Why are you passionate about this industry?
- What made you want to work in this sector?
- How did you know this was the right field for you?
- What attracted you to this profession?
- Why do you want to build your career in this area?
- What inspired you to pursue this line of work?
- How did you discover your interest in this field?
How to answer “Why did you choose this field?”
Crafting an effective response requires strategic storytelling that connects your personal journey to professional value. Follow this step-by-step approach to build your answer.
Step 1: Identify Your Origin Story Start with a specific moment or experience that genuinely sparked your interest. Avoid vague statements like “I’ve always been interested.” Instead, pinpoint an actual event, person, or realization that influenced your career direction. This could be a college course, internship experience, personal challenge, or observation about industry impact.
Step 2: Connect Personal Values to Field Benefits Explain how your core values align with what the industry offers or accomplishes. This demonstrates thoughtful career planning rather than random job hunting. Consider what motivates you—solving problems, helping people, creating innovation, building systems—and link these drivers to your chosen field’s characteristics.
Step 3: Acknowledge Learning and Growth Show that your understanding evolved through research, experience, or education. Employers want candidates who made informed decisions, not impulsive career changes. Mention specific ways you explored the field before committing, such as informational interviews, volunteer work, or relevant coursework.
Step 4: Demonstrate Industry Knowledge Briefly reference current trends, challenges, or opportunities in your field. This proves you understand the broader landscape and aren’t just focused on immediate job needs. Avoid going too deep—save detailed industry analysis for other questions.
Step 5: Bridge to Role Contribution Conclude by connecting your field choice to how you’ll add value in the specific position. This transition shows strategic thinking and positions you as someone who chose this career to make meaningful contributions, not just earn a paycheck.
Example Response: “During my junior year economics course, we analyzed how digital payment systems were transforming global commerce. I became fascinated by the intersection of technology and finance—how fintech innovations could democratize banking access for underserved populations. That semester, I started following fintech startups and reached out to alumni working at companies like Square and PayPal for informational interviews.
What really solidified my interest was discovering how this field combines analytical problem-solving with direct social impact. The challenge of building secure, user-friendly financial tools while navigating complex regulatory environments appeals to both my technical mindset and desire to create positive change. I spent the following summer interning at a local credit union’s digital initiatives team, which confirmed that financial technology offers the perfect blend of innovation and meaningful service.
The industry’s rapid evolution keeps me energized—from blockchain applications to AI-driven fraud detection, there’s constant opportunity to learn and contribute to solutions that genuinely improve people’s financial lives. I’m particularly excited about this role because your company’s focus on small business banking tools aligns perfectly with my interest in democratizing financial access.”
This response works because it provides a specific origin story, demonstrates genuine research and exploration, shows understanding of industry dynamics, and connects personal values to the role’s mission. The answer feels authentic while positioning the candidate as thoughtful and committed to long-term success in the field.
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