How does this Security Manager position fit into your overall career plans?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Focus Your Answer On
What to Avoid
Entry Level Example
Answer Example

The interviewer wants to know precisely why you believe this position will be a good fit for you now and in the future. When it comes to making hiring decisions, a competent hiring authority will ensure that both parties can see a good match far into the future. When you answer this question, the interviewer should clearly understand your career goals and how this Security Manager role fits well into your plans.

This position should be a step forward toward your highest career aspirations. Focus on explaining how this role will help you feel fulfilled and get you to your future goals. Starting with your most important career goals, think backward, and lay out the milestones you would like to experience.

It costs the hiring authority a lot of money to interview, hire, and train their security personnel. They want to see that your career plans involve their company and that you will be a long-term employee. If you want to be considered for the position, avoid saying that you will use this job as a stepping stone to move onto another company or branch out on your own.

"I am very passionate about private security. I consider it a privilege to be responsible for others' safety and security. Being new to tasks such as managing security operations, I have carefully applied to roles where I am confident I will grow steadily. I will learn the right habits for long-term success with your well-established firm. I can grow my knowledge base in large-scale security projects and receive the opportunity to grow my career as I prove myself capable. One of my more immediate career goals is to be offered this Security Manager role. Over time, I will learn a great deal from your company and leaders, picking up knowledge that will enable me to work into a director-level role when the time is right."

"This Security Manager position fits my short and long-term career plans very well. Over the past three years, I have gained experience training fifteen junior security officers and have delivered great results, including increasing my company's security officer retention rate by 25%. I am excited to take on the responsibilities of a new and larger team, further challenging my leadership strengths and abilities. Your firm is well established and progressive in terms of security approaches and the technology you use. These factors will ensure that I receive much-needed professional challenges while at the same time meeting the demands of the role. In this position, I will have the opportunity to deliver exceptional results by leveraging my greatest strengths, such as increased staff retention, implementing strong documentation practices, and boosting security compliance rates. Lastly, the types of projects presented in this position are a good match now and for the long term. I have tailored my security-related education towards security management of large, special, and high-risk events, which I understand is the bulk of your security firms' focus."