A job interview is your chance to show the employer why you’re the right fit. One common question you might hear is, “What challenges are you looking for in a position?” It’s not just about proving you’re ambitious—it’s also a chance to show that you’re excited about the job and how well you’d fit in.
Interviewers ask this question because they want to see more than just your skills—they want to know what keeps you motivated. They’re looking for people who are engaged, not just showing up to meet the basics of the job. If you enjoy challenges, that’s a big plus. It shows them that you’ll be energized by the work and likely to thrive in the role. The way you describe the challenges you’re interested in can reveal a lot about your personality and work style, helping them determine if you’d make a strong addition to their team.
What Interviewers Are Looking For When They Ask About Challenging Yourself
Interviewers ask what challenges you’re seeking to ensure that your expectations match what the job provides. If the role doesn’t offer the opportunities you crave, you may not feel satisfied and might leave sooner than they’d like. Learning what excites you helps them gauge if your goals align with the position.
They’re also checking to see if you’re motivated and open to growth. Your answer can show if you embrace learning new things, tackling bigger responsibilities, or pushing yourself toward improvement. These traits often signal a great fit for roles that involve development and advancement.
For positions that stay consistent day-to-day or have limited growth, this question may not even arise. If it’s asked, it usually means the job will present challenges, and they want to know if you’re eager to meet them.
How to Answer “What Challenges Are You Looking For in a Position?”
Assess your career goals
Before formulating your answer, think about where you want your career to go. Are you interested in leadership roles? Are you looking to specialize in a certain area? Maybe you want to apply your skills in a new context. Considering your long-term goals helps you show the interviewer that this position is part of a bigger plan rather than just a short-term stop.
For example, if aiming to become a team leader, you might say, “I’m excited about opportunities that let me guide a group toward a shared goal and help each member succeed.”
Think of the challenges that align with those goals
Once you know your goals, identify which challenges will help you reach them. If you’re aiming for a leadership path, mention looking forward to managing people, motivating teams, or taking charge of projects. If you’d rather become a subject-matter expert, talk about seeking complex projects that stretch your knowledge and push you to improve. Whatever direction you choose, keep it relevant to the role you’re interviewing for.
For example, if building expertise is a priority, you might say, “I’m looking for challenges that involve tackling complex projects so I can deepen my knowledge and sharpen my problem-solving skills.”
Name relevant aspects of the position
Finally, connect the dots by mentioning what drew you to this specific role. Maybe you noticed that the job description highlighted collaboration or the use of cutting-edge technology. Referencing those details shows the interviewer you’re genuinely interested in the position and understand its demands.
You might say, “I was drawn to how your team frequently tackles innovative projects. Joining a collaborative environment where I can contribute fresh ideas and learn from others is the kind of challenge that really excites me.”
How Not to Answer
Don’t cite challenges the job doesn’t offer
Avoid mentioning challenges that don’t exist in the role. For instance, if you’re interviewing for a marketing position, don’t talk about wanting to shift into a completely different field. Stating a challenge that doesn’t align with the job may make the interviewer think you won’t be fully engaged or stick around.
Saying something like, “I’m hoping to transition into a different career area,” gives the impression that you’re not truly invested in the role at hand.
Avoid mentioning unrealistic challenges
Don’t talk about seeking responsibilities that aren’t part of the job. If the role is entry-level and doesn’t include management, claiming you want to oversee large teams may suggest that you haven’t read the job description closely or that your goals aren’t realistic.
For example, saying, “I’m looking for the challenge of running a whole department” when applying for a role without any management component can seem out of touch. Show ambition, but keep it grounded in what’s possible within the position.
Sample Answers to “What Challenges Are You Looking For in a Position?”
Example #1
“I’m looking for a job that will let me build on the technical skills I’ve been developing. I recently earned a certification in Amazon Web Services, and I’m excited to take on projects where I can apply and grow that knowledge. The chance to deepen my expertise in a role that utilizes AWS is exactly the type of challenge I’m eager for.”
Why it works:
This answer highlights a recent accomplishment (the certification) and shows a desire to apply it directly in the new role. The candidate demonstrates enthusiasm for professional development and gives a clear reason why the job’s challenges align with their goals.
Example #2
“I’d love a role that encourages creative problem-solving and fresh ideas. In a previous position, we followed very strict guidelines, leaving little room to think outside the box. Your company’s emphasis on innovation means I’d face challenges that push me to approach problems in new ways and contribute imaginative solutions.”
Why it works:
This response references past experience and shows the candidate is looking to broaden their creative thinking skills. Mentioning the company’s value on innovation connects directly to a desired challenge, indicating the candidate is engaged by the exact kind of environment the employer provides.
Example #3
“I’m eager for a role where I can work with and motivate a team to achieve goals under tight timelines. In a previous position, I coordinated a complex project where keeping everyone aligned and productive was essential. I discovered that I enjoy inspiring colleagues to overcome obstacles and deliver results. Bringing that experience to a professional setting and building on it is a challenge I look forward to.”
Why it works:
This answer uses a scenario from past work experience to demonstrate the candidate’s strength in team coordination and motivation. It indicates readiness to handle similar challenges in a more advanced role and emphasizes leadership, communication, and goal orientation—all valuable traits employers appreciate.
Remember to keep answers positive and show enthusiasm for growth. Focus on challenges that excite you rather than overwhelm you. Highlighting how these challenges align with your strengths and how you plan to evolve from them shows the interviewer that you’re motivated and ready to contribute.