How to Answer “How Did You Hear About This Position” and Stand Out

If you’re applying for a job, you might get asked, “How did you hear about this position?” It sounds like a simple question, but for many candidates, answering it can be nerve wracking. Your answer can say a lot about your interest, motivation, and how professional you are. Whether you’re in an interview or filling out an application, knowing how to answer this well can give you an edge.

Let’s dive into why employers ask this question, how you can give a smart and thoughtful answer, and what common mistakes to avoid so your response really stands out during the hiring process.

Why Do Employers Ask “How Did You Hear About This Position?”

Hiring managers and recruiters aren’t just being polite when they ask, “How did you hear about this position?” They want to learn some important things about you and how you look for jobs. Hiring managers play a key role in team-building and often collaborate with recruiters to identify great candidates for their teams:

• Your job search style: Are you actively looking for jobs that match your skills and goals, or did this one just happen to come your way? Employers, hiring managers, and recruiters want to see that you’re taking charge and are eager candidates.
• Your real interest in the company: Have you taken time to learn about the company because you like what they do or believe in their values? Showing real interest helps them see you as a good fit among other candidates.
• How well their hiring methods work: They want to know if candidates find their jobs through job boards, referrals, social media, or other ways.
• Your networking skills: Did you hear about this job from someone you know? Mentioning connections shows you build good relationships, which recruiters and hiring managers value in candidates.
• How much you’ve prepared: Employers want to see that you’ve read the job description carefully and understand how the role fits your career plans, which helps them assess if you’re the right candidate.

Smart Ways to Answer “How Did You Hear About This Position?”

Here’s the good news—there’s no one perfect answer. The best response is one that’s honest and highlights your enthusiasm for the job. When you answer thoughtfully, you can show the employer not only how you found the opportunity but also why it caught your attention and why you’re genuinely interested in the role. A thoughtful answer can help you make a lasting impression and stand out among other candidates.

To help you craft your answer, consider these smart ways to respond to the question “how did you hear about this position?” while showing you are company aligned and a good cultural fit:

1. Be Honest, But Strategic

Always tell the truth about how you found the job, but frame your answer to highlight your genuine interest and seriousness about the role. For example, instead of just saying, “I saw it on a job board,” say something like, “I found the listing on Indeed and was excited to apply because the job responsibilities closely match my background in customer service.”

This shows that you took the time to consider how your skills align with the position, which reflects a proactive approach. Drawing from your own experiences can make your answer more authentic and relevant.

2. Highlight Your Interest in the Company

If you’ve been following the company or are familiar with their work, this is a great opportunity to mention it—especially when answering “how did you hear about this position.” For instance, you could say, “I’ve followed your company’s updates on LinkedIn for several months. When I saw the job opening, I immediately knew I wanted to apply because I admire your commitment to innovation and positive work culture. I am especially drawn to the organization’s values and the company’s mission, which resonate with my own aspirations and motivate me to contribute to your ongoing success.”

This demonstrates that you have done your research and are genuinely interested in being part of their team.

3. Mention Referrals and Relevant Connections

When preparing your response to “how did you hear about this position,” it’s important to mention referrals clearly and professionally. For instance, you might say, “A former colleague, Jenna Lee, who works in your marketing team, told me about this opening and spoke highly of your collaborative environment.”

Mentioning internal connections and highlighting relevant connections from your professional or personal life can significantly strengthen your application. Whether the recommendation comes from someone you know through work or your personal life, these endorsements show you are trusted and valued by people familiar with the company.

Highlighting relevant connections not only shows your networking skills but also gives the employer confidence that you come recommended by someone they trust.

4. Tailor Your Answer to the Specific Job Role

Make your response directly relevant to the position you’re applying for by connecting how you found the job to your skills, previous role, or career goals. For example, “I was searching for content writing roles on Glassdoor when I found this posting. Your company’s emphasis on storytelling and SEO aligns perfectly with my recent projects and the skills I developed in my previous role, as well as my career aspirations.”

By being specific and intentional in your job search, you’ll have a stronger answer to “how did you hear about this position,” demonstrating your genuine interest in the company and role.

5. Be Specific About Where You Found the Job

Instead of giving vague answers like “online” or “job board,” specify the exact place where you discovered the job opening, such as referencing the online job posting or platform. For example, “I found this position on a specific job board called Indeed, which I use regularly to find online job opportunities in my field. After reading the online job posting, I realized my skills matched the requirements and decided to submit my job application.” Being precise helps employers understand which recruitment channels are effective and reflects your organized job search strategy.

6. Express Enthusiasm and Explain Why the Job Caught Your Eye

Don’t just say where you found the job—explain what about the job posting immediately caught your attention. For instance, “While browsing LinkedIn, this job posting stood out from the rest because of the company’s mission to drive sustainability, which aligns with my personal values and professional experience. The way the company caught my attention with its clear growth opportunities and unique work culture made me genuinely excited to apply.”

Expressing enthusiasm and connecting your values to the company’s mission makes your answer memorable and shows a genuine interest in the role.

Example Answers to Inspire Your Response

Need a little inspiration? Here are some strong, conversational sample answers to the common interview question “how did you hear about this position?” Preparing sample answers like these can help you respond effectively during job interviews and improve your interview skills for similar interview questions. Use these examples to craft your own answer with confidence and authenticity.

Through a Job Board

“I actually came across this role while I was browsing Indeed one evening after finishing some work. In addition to job boards, I also checked the company’s career page to see if there were other relevant opportunities and to learn more about their hiring process. I leveraged my professional network as well, reaching out to contacts for insights about the company and potential openings. The job title immediately caught my attention because it seemed like a great fit for my background and what I’m passionate about. I took some time to read through the full job description, and the more I read, the more I felt like this was exactly the kind of position I’ve been looking for. It really aligned with my skills and experience, so I was excited to submit my application right away.”

From a Company Website

“I’ve been following your company for quite some time now because I really admire your mission and the way you approach your work. When I was exploring your careers page recently, I was thrilled to see this job posting. Reading positive employee experiences shared online, especially about your supportive work environment and growth opportunities, made me even more eager to apply. It felt like a natural next step for me to join a team I already respect and contribute to the kind of projects that matter. The detailed description of the role made me confident that my background and goals align well with what you’re looking for.”

Referral by a Friend or Colleague

“A good friend of mine, Alex, who works in your sales department, mentioned this opening to me during a recent conversation. Through relationship building within my professional network, I learned about this opportunity and gained valuable insights into your company. He’s had such a positive experience with the team and the company culture that it really piqued my interest. Hearing about the role from someone I trust made me want to learn more and see if I’d be a good fit. After doing some research and thinking about it, I felt confident that this position matches my skills and career aspirations perfectly.”

Social Media Discovery

“I actually spotted your company’s Instagram post about this role while scrolling through my feed one afternoon. It really stood out because I was already familiar with some of your recent projects and admired the way you shared the job opening. I also recently attended a networking event where I learned more about your company and heard about open positions directly from your team. That post made me curious to dig deeper, so I visited your website and carefully reviewed the job description. The position seemed like a fantastic match for my skills and interests, and I was excited to apply.”

Recruiter Contact

A recruiter reached out to me on LinkedIn about this position, which was a pleasant surprise. During our detailed conversation, the recruiter explained why they identified me as a great candidate for the role, highlighting how my qualifications and experience matched the company’s needs. Being recognized as a strong candidate made the process smoother and gave me confidence in my fit for the position. After learning more about your company culture, I realized it aligned really well with my experience and career goals. It felt like an exciting opportunity that I hadn’t come across on my own, so I was eager to explore it further and submit my application.

Avoid These 5 Common Mistakes When Answering This Question

Even though “how did you hear about this position?” seems like a simple question, it’s easy to trip up. Preparing for common interview questions can help you avoid these mistakes and answer with confidence. Watch out for these common mistakes, along with examples to help you avoid them:

1. Giving One-Word Answers

Mistake: Saying only “LinkedIn” or “job board” without elaboration.
Example: “LinkedIn.”
Better: “I found this job on LinkedIn while actively searching for roles that closely match my skills and career goals. The job description really stood out to me because it aligns perfectly with my experience in customer service and offers opportunities for growth that I’m eager to pursue.”

2. Sounding Indifferent

Mistake: Responding as if you applied just because the job was available.
Example: “I saw the job and decided to apply.”
Better: “I was genuinely excited to apply because the company’s mission and values strongly resonate with me. After researching your recent projects and company culture, I felt this role fits my career goals and offers the kind of positive work environment I’m looking for.”

3. Making It All About the Perks

Mistake: Focusing only on salary, remote work, or benefits.
Example: “I applied because the salary is good and they offer remote work.”
Better: “While the benefits and flexible work options are appealing, what truly attracted me was the chance to contribute to innovative projects and be part of a team that values collaboration and professional development. This role aligns well with my skills and long-term career aspirations.”

4. Lying

Mistake: Claiming a referral or following the company when you didn’t.
Example: “A friend who works here told me about the job,” when that’s not true.
Better: Be honest and say, “I came across the job posting on your company website while researching organizations that align with my professional values. I was impressed by the detailed job description and the company culture, which motivated me to apply.”

5. Forgetting to Tie It Back to Your Skills

Mistake: Not connecting how you heard about the job to why you’re a good fit.
Example: “I found this on a job board.”
Better: “I found this on a job board, and after carefully reading the job description, I realized that my background in marketing and project management matches the role’s requirements very well. I’m confident that my skills and experience would allow me to make valuable contributions to your team.”

Impress Hiring Managers with a Professionally Written Resume

Answering “how did you hear about this position?” is important, but it’s just one part of getting noticed. To really stand out, you need a resume that clearly shows your skills and experience.

At Resume Professional Writers, we help people like you create resumes that catch the eye of hiring managers. Our expert resume writers know exactly what employers want to see and make sure your resume highlights your best qualities. With a strong resume, your application will not only answer questions like “how did you hear about this position?” confidently but also prove that you’re the right person for the job.

A well-written resume can open doors, get you interviews, and make your job search faster and easier. Let us help you make a great first impression that gets you one step closer to your dream job.