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Should I be honest and tell them that the reason I want to work there is so that they'll give me money or should I lie and tell them about how I admire their corporate philosophy and commitment to bettering our world? What if it's a trick question to identify honest people from liars?
Both can be true. Of course you want/need the money, and if you had loads of cash you wouldn't be working there. Answer the question as why you want to work this job specifically, rather than at another company, not why you want to work at all
I find it best to match the amount of lying you do to what they do in the advert.
Demonstrates a synergistic fit of your values.
Answer the question as why you want to work this job specifically, rather than at another company, not why you want to work at all
Given their shitty reputation, I think they're probably desperate so that improves my chances.
I find it best to match the amount of lying you do to what they do in the advert.
Absolutely this.
Any company that puts out job adverts stuffed with Business Bullshit Bingo, any company that does not tell me salary up front, and company that wants the world for as little as they can. These are not my people - so I'm not applying or I'm joining in with a dreadful corporate culture that I will end up continuing to propagate.
It’s a stupid question, when I was hiring I once asked an HR person why they had these sort of questions and insisted on an application form rather than just ask for CVs. The answer was:
- every job we advertise that just needs CVs gets 2-300 email application most of them not relevant.
- every job we use the form gets <50, and you can eliminate half of them on the inability to read a question and construct a vaguely coherent answer.
- if we invite 6 people to interview from the application form 4-5 will agree and turn up, with CVs is will half that.
- if we offer a job after starting with an application form, our acceptance rate is >75%, with CVs it’s <50% and it feels like we are being used to leverage a better salary from existing employer.
I was obstinate and not finding the right candidates so insisted we remove the barrier for the candidate, for three jobs. My anecdotal experience would suggest their stats were in the right ball park with an added observation that people now seemed to turn up not having read the job description or found out anything about the company. No idea if AI makes those numbers still relevant.
so, as long as you write something sensible it’s probably not going to harm you. If you are currently out of work they want to hear that you are moderately excited about THIS job not just applying for any old job, but it could be commuting distance, hours or work, etc that make it appeal. Ideally something about the job - even if that’s that it would use your previous experience.
Missing a colon... But lying in would be an excellent job.
Missing a colon... But lying in would be an excellent job.
Part time job for the retirement thread?
I told an interview panel once I wanted the job as I'd always wanted to be an astronaut but it didn't work out and I had bills to pay. Two laughed one looked piss faced. Got the job. Piss face it turns out always looked and acted piss faced.
Once I was so fed up with interviews (although I already got an offer) I just went to another interview by speaking frankly just for "fun".
(note: The panel of interviewers consists of 4 people with the head interviewer being an extroverted type of person ("big man"). When he talked the rest agreed ... do some homework first before attending interview)
The same typical question was ask by this main person
Interviewer: "Why do you want this job?"
My answer: "Your salary offer is very attractive and I want the money." Then continued to say that " I know if I take the money I have to deliver. I would ask for more but I think that salary is good enough for now". Then I explained what I could offer them if the job was given to me. I also told him I was committed but I didn't like being paid peanuts. Also told the main person I had the skills they were looking for with evidence.
(I took the interview as if I was negotiating with a client/customer - which I did in the past with clients of senior corporate personnel)
Well, I got the job. The main interviewer liked my straightforward answers. The whole process lasted for nearly an hour because I had to show them the evidence by answering some "technical" questions.
I stayed in the job for 14 years and throughout that time I did not give him any problem and the "big man" could spend his time relaxing etc, while I dealt with all issues. When the main person retired, I moved on because some low energy people took over and mess up the system.
(I remember when the next boss took over and wanted me in the interviewing panel, I joined. But the interview questions asked by the new boss was so low energy, it was embarrassing. I knew it was time to move on).
If you have the skills set they need, then just go in and sell that to the interviewers.
Be respectful, not arrogant but do not under sell yourself.
I'm just glad my interview recently did not have the 'why do you want this job/work for us?' question. Mainly as I have worked there for 12.5 years, as I'm usually the recruiter for the company, and as it was a few colleagues interviewing me..... 😂
It’s a stupid question, when I was hiring I once asked an HR person why they had these sort of questions and insisted on an application form rather than just ask for CVs.
Application forms don't really work anymore, folk just use AI to write them.
Years ago when I was a tree surgeon I applied for another job, I can't remember what it was.
I was asked why I wanted to move.
I apologized for quoting the jungle book then went on to say that I'd reached the top and I had to stop and that's what's bothering me.
I never got the job.
One of my current team members stated that he enjoyed walking Munros, well that lie came to the surface pretty damn quick.
I think being economical with the truth is a fairly safe bet…
Application forms just mean that you get applications from those who happen to be available (usually = no current job) and have enough time to waste filling them in. Not necessarily the right or best.
HR fool themselves and management in thinking they're doing the right thing - they're in fact just doing what is convenient for them - not having to look at 300 CVs and properly assess who would be right. They miss all the chances to tempt the best people out of their current jobs unless they're pisshed off and willing to potentially waste a couple of hours per form.
Application forms just mean that you get applications from those who happen to be available (usually = no current job) and have enough time to waste filling them in. Not necessarily the right or best.
HR fool themselves and management in thinking they're doing the right thing - they're in fact just doing what is convenient for them - not having to look at 300 CVs and properly assess who would be right. They miss all the chances to tempt the best people out of their current jobs unless they're pisshed off and willing to potentially waste a couple of hours per form.
if you want to tempt the best people from other jobs they are happy in you don’t advertise - you specifically go and talk to them.
if you want to tempt the best people from other jobs they are happy in you don’t advertise - you specifically go and talk to them.
And how are you going to find or contact them? Don't kid yourself that the self publicists on LinkedIn are the best just because they say they are.
If you're receiving 300 CVs for one role and you are looking for "the" right candidate then you're a fool. Out of those 300, probably 100 of them will be able to do the job quite adequately. Several rounds of interviews to finalise your choice from what's left of a dozen candidates is a waste of everyone's time, just pick one.
Ever worked at a company where everyone clearly must have been the best candidate for the role they'd applied for? Me neither.
It's probably transient anyway. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_principle
I've had worse (mostly since being in Sweden) where the jobs I have applied for are so specific that I am one of a very small group of people that have had the background and the skills to actually be suited, and yet I still did not get invited to interview. This is, I think, because they had an internal candidate in mind for the role and are obliged by law to advertise externally.
It's still a kick in the nuts not to even get a decent reply back when you know full well you are one of four people in a country that have the skills and you know the other three are not looking.
And how are you going to find or contact them? Don't kid yourself that the self publicists on LinkedIn are the best just because they say they are.
isnt this what recruiters are supposed to be doing to earn their money? Keeping a network of connections with real people that they can call on?