This is a typical question asked at the beginning of an interview. Alternatively, you could be asked a similar question; "Could you clarify what you're searching for in your future job?" or you might be asked “Explain the three most significant characteristics of your next position”
What challenges are you looking for in the position?
This question tells potential employers a lot about you and what you're looking for in a job. Now, let us know why the question is being asked first.
The primary purpose of the interviewer is to evaluate whether you are qualified for the position. He or she can analyze your desire for the correct tasks as well as your capacity to tackle complex work by asking about the challenges you prefer.
Employers are constantly on the lookout for candidates who can help them progress and succeed. It is regarded a sign of a motivated and passionate employee if you can demonstrate that you are actively seeking new challenges at work. The interviewer is attempting to determine if you are truly interested in the position and if you will be genuinely motivated to succeed if hired.
He or she may also question about your challenges to see whether they are suitable with the job requirements. Now, to answer this question, you must first complete your homework.
The following considerations must be kept in mind:
1. Conduct thorough company research. Examine the company's vision, mission statement, culture, and products and services. This will give you an idea of the difficulties that the company is facing.
2. Examine the company's social media platforms and current news. These information will enable you to highlight your problem-solving abilities that are most relevant to the position and company for which you have applied.
3. Your response should include the challenges you expect to face in the position for which you are applying. Prepare a response that emphasizes the significance of striking
a balance between realistic problem-solving and attainable goals.
4. Talk about the skill you're working on. Discuss how you're working on it and getting better.
5. Explain to the interviewer your goal and your strategy for achieving it.
6. Make sure your response should be in line with the job description.
7. You can also speak with someone in your network who has previously worked for this company and can provide you with more detailed information about what the company
looks for in employees.
Now, when answering this question, there are a few things you should avoid:
1. Avoid suggesting 'relatively' easy challenges, as this will hinder you from exhibiting your enthusiasm to learn and potential for improvement.
For example - When applying for a job as a Web editor, don't say that proofreading and copy writing are your biggest challenges because these are the editor's primary responsibilities, and you already have these skills. This demonstrates that you are unwilling to learn new things.
And also, avoid bringing up concerns that might prevent you from doing your work well or that are impossible to fix.
For example, because of the pandemic, there is a shift in work from the office to the home. Do not make the mistake of saying that working from home is tough. This situation is
out of your control, and you will have to adjust to your new working environment.
2. Don't be dishonest when answering the question.
Avoid mentioning anything that might reveal a fault. It's crucial to realize that the interviewer is seeking for you to show honesty and self-awareness by asking this question. Candidates that are aware of their own strengths and opportunities for improvement are preferred by employers. It's also a good idea to demonstrate that obstacles motivate you.
Example answer 1: What challenges are you looking for? (Fresher)
My goals are straightforward. In this position, I hope to hone and use my communication and project management abilities.
Within the next few years, I hope to gain as much experience as possible in order to advance to a position where I can put these skills to use while also managing my own team. I intend to achieve these objectives by working on a range of projects and teams.
Great team management requires effective communication, and I am looking forward to starting with small leadership roles and working my way up. This is the perfect opportunity for me because it is the next stage in my career that will help me to progress. Furthermore, one of my primary motivators is the potential to communicate with employees from diverse departments, so this prospect is extremely intriguing for me.’
I struggled with good communication while in college. However, I am improving my ability to make a strong first impression and work efficiently. I'm now enrolled in an online course to help me improve my communication abilities. This training has taught me the value of active listening, which has boosted my confidence and is assisting me in improving my skills as a sound professional.
Example answer 2: What challenges are you looking for? (Experienced)
As a senior advertising manager, I've reached a point in my career where I'm ready to take on more leadership responsibilities.' I noted the emphasis on leadership and advertising skills when I came across this position and read the job description. As soon as I read the description, I knew it was a perfect match for me.
I'm looking forward to combining my advertising expertise with my recently acquired team management skills, and this position is a perfect fit for my career goals. It would give me the opportunity to train my own team, which would be a fascinating challenge for me.
Keeping employees motivated in all situations is one of the most difficult tasks for a manager. As a manager, I've learned to look at the big picture and explain to my colleagues why and how a specific task is critical to their long-term success, which in turn, motivates and inspires them.
To accomplish this, I am constantly communicating about the company's plans and objectives. This motivates them to perform better. It also taught me how important it is to maintain open lines of communication with your employees.
Conclusion: To respond to the question "What challenges are you looking for?"
So, those were a few examples. You should use this question to demonstrate your abilities; nevertheless, you must be concise and direct. The key to success is to prepare ahead of time. Prepare ahead of time so you won't have any trouble answering questions during the interview.
So, by now you have whole list of ideas that you can start building your own answer around. Just make sure your sentences flow together, fluent and sound natural as you answer this question.
