“Why do you want to be a software engineer?” This supposedly simple question is actually pretty substantial — nearly 40% of recruiters will not hire candidates who lack confidence in their responses, while approximately 76% are quick to dismiss those who sound overly arrogant. 

Providing a well-rounded, coherent answer is key, as about 75% of recruiters include behavioural questions to assess soft skills. With the interview-to-hire rate hovering between 12–17% for top industries, acing every question becomes even more critical. We’ll break down this well-worn question, figure out what they're looking for, and provide you with some tips to nail it like a pro.

How to answer “why do you want to be a software engineer?”

There are some rules to follow when answering interview questions. Here are some tips for laying out your answer.

1. Reflect on one specific reason

First, decide on one reason that truly motivates you to be a software developer. Maybe you like solving puzzles, you get a kick out of building things that make people’s lives easier, or you simply love tech. Zero in on particular aspects of software engineering that bring out your enthusiasm and drive, like creating great user experiences or finding the subtle difference between a bug and a feature. By picking out a specific and authentic motivation that speaks to your interests and strengths, you can leave a mark on the interviewer and stand out from the competition. Being honest and passionate will always be an asset.

💬 Answer: “I read on socials how you’re helping out elderly citizens cash out their retirement plans. Did you know our country has 60% of people over 75 outside the system? I’d love to contribute to what you’re doing because I’ve experienced it first-hand, and my skills in creating user-friendly experiences could align well with your goals of improving accessibility for senior users.” 

💡The underlying reason: you want to help people and software impacts lives.

Focusing on one big reason helps you sharpen your response, making it more coherent, focused, and impactful. Plus, it sets the tone for the rest of your answer, keeping things on track and crystal clear.

2. Answer according to the role and company culture

Do your homework beforehand to align your answer with both the role’s demands and the company’s culture— dig into the company ethos, mission, values, and what exactly they need from you in this role. Insufficient research can be a major turn-off: 47% of candidates fail their interviews because they don’t have enough information about the company. So, when discussing why you want to be part of the team, give nuanced and detailed answers and toss in some specifics about projects they’ve worked on, ongoing initiatives, and recent success stories. Aside from proving your commitment and eagerness to join the team, this level of preparation speaks well for your performance within the company — it shows you’ll approach projects with seriousness and dedication. Just be careful not to sound too servile. 

3. Present skills they’ll love hearing about

Now, talk about what makes you the perfect fit for the job. Think about what the job description asks for and discuss how your skills align with what they need. For example, if they’re looking for someone who can manage large datasets, tell them you’re a pro at database management and have experience handling extensive data sets. If they need someone who can develop user-friendly interfaces, let them know about your UI/UX design expertise and your track record of creating intuitive and user-friendly interfaces.

Also, remember to always back up your skills with concrete examples of how you’ve applied them in past projects or roles:

“In my last job, I used Python and Java to optimise a legacy codebase. I identified bottlenecks in the system and implemented efficient algorithms, resulting in a 30% reduction in processing time.”

4. Talk about long-term career goals

Now, move on to talking about the big picture. Share your long-term career goals and how this position fits into them. Maybe you’re eager to get into machine learning and establish yourself as an expert in developing AI-driven applications — that’s the kind of ambition you want to highlight.

Don’t just elaborate on your goals, demonstrate your commitment to achieving them. Discuss specific areas where you want to grow and improve as an engineer — bonus points if they’re categories that directly align with the company’s strategic focus. Moreover, talk about past projects you’ve been involved in to demonstrate you like growing while you work. If you mention all of this casually, you’ll be padding up your resume without looking like you’re overselling.

5. Practice and refine your response

Practice delivering your response aloud, alone or with a friend, to see how well it flows. Pay attention to your tone, pacing, and body language. And make sure you try to say what the person — or the mirror — wants to hear.

A Guide to Public Speaking For Software Engineers →

Answers for different scenarios

Let’s take a look at some examples to guide your answer. If they sound too formal or overly confident, adjust them to match the interview's tone. Here are some firm answers:

Scenario 1: Recent graduate with a computer science degree

“I’m a quick learner, and I’m really excited to jump into [specific subject or tech related to the company’s focus]. I’m all about diving into new challenges and soaking up everything I can. For instance, during my last year at university, I led a project where we developed an app that streamlined communication within our campus community. Drawing from that experience, I can bring in insight into user experience design and app development to your team. I’ve been on the lookout for opportunities at companies that align with my passion for learning and constantly tackling new projects, so that’s what really drew me to yours.”

Top Characteristics of a Software Engineer →

Scenario 2: Career switch from a different field

“Yes, I spent five years in consulting firms doing exactly what you do at your company, tackling challenges and coming up with creative solutions, much like what your team does here. And software engineering is about that — solving difficulties and facing challenges with the most efficient, most scalable way out there. It’s like taking the same energy and drive, but on a whole new level. I want to be a software engineer to keep on that momentum but with a more wide-reaching effort. What really excites me about software is the sheer scope of it all. Consulting was great, but it ended up feeling a bit limited. With software, though, there’s no limit. You can reach millions of people, make a real impact — it’s humbling when you really think about it.”

Scenario 3: Returning to the workforce after a career break

“Taking some time off gave me a chance to step back and think about what I wanted out of my career. During my career break, I took a deep dive into coding and contributed to open-source projects. So being a software engineer for me is the natural next step. The GitHub community consistently recommended and praised my contributions, and I want to build upon that and help a company like yours with this same approach.”

What’s the common thread that runs through every answer?

Put your hand over the article’s title and block the “software engineer” bit. If you read it this way, you’ll notice this advice could work just for any trade. The strategy here is to try to say what the recruiter or company wants to hear. Now, try to put in small details that only software engineers can contribute to. One example is the “scaling up” part. A shoemaker can only help out one person with each pair of sneakers. But a software engineer can literally impact millions of lives with an app on the Play Store. Use that to your advantage. Companies building up software often bring up these incredible figures — millions of users, millions of downloads — on their pitch decks and are proud of them. If you demonstrate you’re also impressed by this unprecedented outreach, you’ll be on the same page as your interviewer.

How to Answer the “Why Should We Hire You” Interview Question →

Prepare for your interview and get a job in tech

At WeAreDevelopers, we are dedicated to supporting developers in advancing their careers. We offer various resources, including tech talks, events, and exclusive job opportunities, to help you grow professionally. Join our community today and make sure you’re ready to handle the questions every recruiter or manager will be asking. Good luck!