How to tackle this interview question??

[Da Game]

Why does a job interviewer ask this DUMB question? Are you interested in this position? I think since you applied for the position, filled out the paper work, traveled to his location, interviewed for 30-60 minutes and they even ask the salary your looking to get. What gives, Is this a loaded question? What's the best response?

Not tring to be a wise arse or anything but shouldn't the answer be obvious. Sometimes I want to say if the company wants me. Any suggestions from the Pro's out there..

 

[javacontour]

There are two ways, just be polite and direct and say yes.

Or, expand and explain WHY the position is interesting.

Having hired folks, you don't want to make a mistake, and if it appears someone is just trying to find a "job" until their dream position comes along, then you want to find out ASAP.

I would be honest about my desires, but withhold my judgment regarding how banal you believe the question to be. Either the interviewer, or someone else thought it to be important, and casting aside such a question doesn't present you in a favorable light.

 

[TallPaul]

Then there is the smart aleck response: "No, just interested in the pay and benefits."

 

[Bob Woods]

The question may be dumb, but the answer can make or break the interview. A simple "Yes! I am" given quickly after the question is asked would work. I don't think I ever asked that question, I figured if the guy was there he was interested.

 

[Da Game]

Quote:

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There are two ways, just be polite and direct and say yes.

Or, expand and explain WHY the position is interesting.

Having hired folks, you don't want to make a mistake, and if it appears someone is just trying to find a "job" until their dream position comes along, then you want to find out ASAP.

I would be honest about my desires, but withhold my judgment regarding how banal you believe the question to be. Either the interviewer, or someone else thought it to be important, and casting aside such a question doesn't present you in a favorable light.

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I would NEVER dismiss any question in the process, it just seem strange that it comes up repeatedly. And since you brough up another question. How would the interviewer possible know that you're just waiting for a better job? Does salary give it away? Is there a series of questions that they might ask to determine your thoughts (on whether you will want this position), if so can you expound please..

 

[javacontour]

Body language can give alot away.

Many interviews are nothing more than gauging perceptions.

If I ask why you left your last job, I may be listening for why, but also looking at HOW you answer. Do you look me in the eye? Do you look away?

HOW you answer the question you've presented often tells more than the content itself. Do you appear eager.

Of course, that can be faked, but few have their mask on so straight that they can consistently pull that off.

I do think is a "closed ended" question. A better question might be, "What attracts you to this position?" "Or where do you see yourself in X years?"

Even more telling are what questions does that candidate ask me.

 

[javacontour]

Bottom line, at least with me, a large part of the interview is do I feel comfortable hiring this person.

I am more interested in if you are going to be a great team member than I am what your college GPA or other education may be.

Experience and education are often a discrimanator if I had two candidates that I was comfortable with. But often it came down to the one who I thought was the better team player.

I asked one guy why he wanted the position being offered, a C programming position, and his answer was "I like computers and C rap like that." Honest, but probably not a good fit. He was a recent college grad and working as a shift manager at a fast food joint. I asked him how many interviews he'd been on, and he said ours was one of his first. So I told him the interview was over, and asked him if he wanted my impressions on how he interviewed.

During the staff up for the same project, I saw dozens of folks. We had one guy, interviewing for a Data Base Admin position, who had impressive credentials. But after asking why he left various positions, he said things like, "those jerks don't appreciate talent" or "my boss was a cheap, selfish jerk"

Not wanting to be the next unappreciative, selfish, cheap jerk, we didn't hire him.

I guess I'm a slow learner, because I'm always amazed at what I see people do next.

 

[Da Game]

I've had two Interviews recently, one position turned me down because "I didn't have enough experience on their equipment, thou' my education and other knowledge was superior to the other candidates". I had informed them I've had previous experience with simular equipment and my Bachelors degree made me adept at learning new procedures. My wife thinks I personalized it and said "just move on", it's hard to do when I've always succeeded at interviewing and never been turn down. Losing has a bitter taste!

 

[NJC]

The best way to prepare for interviews is having given them or being a part of a group of interviewers. I was involved in the latter. A bit of enthusiasm and interest in the company plus showing/explaining what you have done in previous job is helpful.

 

[Pablo]

Interviewer: Are you interested in this position?

Pablo: You talkin' to me? ARE YOU TALKING TO ME!!! I'll give you something to talk to.

That should about get 'er done.

I'm joking, in case someone was a bit confused by my post.

I agree with the fellers. Either it's just bad question construction or they're looking for a reaction.

 

[rokky]

"Why do you want to work for our company" is a great question.

"Are you interested in this position?" is a real stupid question. I would have answered it with another question; "Why would we be having this conversation otherwise?".

If the interview continued to degrade at this point, my further response would be; "This isn't going anywhere, I'm outta here, have a nice day".

He may have took one look at you and made up his mind. He may have already decided on a previous applicant and was just putting in time at your expense.

One can usally tell within the first couple of minutes if things are going to be OK.

 

[simple_gifts]

Well, after getting a tour of a "metallurgical company" (which turned out only to incinerate old computer boards and recover the precious metals), the interviewer asked "Are you interested in this position?" and I replied "No, I thought it was something else"

No sense in wasting each other's time.

 

[moribundman]

And yet this guy didn't hesitate when it came to misleading people about the job offer. He didn't mind wasting your or his own time.

 

[doitmyself]

Like mentioned above, I think he was fishing for a response. I have many interests, but I only pursue a few things with a passion (a career, not job, is one). I have many wants, but very few needs. You get my drift.

A saavy interviewer wants to confirm that you have the basic competency to grow into the job description, but more important, he wants to confirm that you have the life skills to be successful.

If someone told me "my Bachelors degree made me adept at learning new procedures", I would probably look for someone else.

 

[nel]

Some interviewers like to start with an easy question like that. It really is a way to open the discussion, and you should take that opening to sell yourself (assuming you want to). Take a brief amount of time to say why you are interested in the position and why you think it'll be a good fit. That then puts the ball back in the interviewer's court because you've probably helped in answering his next few questions.

 

[Da Game]

Quote:

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Like mentioned above, I think he was fishing for a response. I have many interests, but I only pursue a few things with a passion (a career, not job, is one). I have many wants, but very few needs. You get my drift.

A saavy interviewer wants to confirm that you have the basic competency to grow into the job description, but more important, he wants to confirm that you have the life skills to be successful.

If someone told me "my Bachelors degree made me adept at learning new procedures", I would probably look for someone else.

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Why would that put you off? Wouldn't "Life skills" be a preconceived way to limit a persons view? I mean for example if you see a person who lives in a manson compared to one that has a simple house, according to some one's life would be more "successfull" than anothers. I remember when Oprah first went on TV, people said she was ugly,fat and did not fit their mode for a TV host, now people line up every day for a chance to meet her. So to gauge a persons life skills would be more a judemental call. And receiving a degree in any field is an honor and surly shows ones life skills to be successfull. Just like one would want a surgeon to have a PHD.

 

[doitmyself]

Mansions and PHD certificates are not an indicator of success. I work at a university and MANY PHD's can barely navigate life. Ditch your notion that college "makes the man".

Life skills pertain to both on and off the job: integrity, responsibility, iniative, problem solving, interaction skills, decision making, balanced ambition,and many others. The entire interview is somewhat judgemental because the interviewer has to try to determine the person's self-marketing skills (truthfulness).

The self-discipline to obtain education/training is important, but if the other twenty applicants have the same degree, it is somewhat a moot point. If another applicant has 5 years experince on top of education, it's even more an uphill battle for you.

You said the degree "made" you adept at learning. The guy that got hired said "I worked 2 jobs during college where I "developed this", I "changed this". I did an internship over summer where I "completed this" without previous experience etc., etc.. In other words, a degree doesn't "make" you anything (except poorer). YOU and your demonstrated "life skills" make the better hiree and sets you above the other candidates.

Be proud of your education, but look deeper to demonstrate how you can make that education work.

Just my opinion. Don't expect just your degree to get you hired. I have helped over forty of my past student employees get their foot in the door with reference letters that emphasized the life skills described above more so than "he/she received good grades in organic chemistry".

 

[Da Game]

Thanks for the clarification perhaps I should have press more the experience factor. I was thrown off by the comment from the interviewer that "my education, skills and exprience was supiorer to the other candidates". That comment threw me since I was not chosen. Their reason was a person was picked because of their "experience on the companys equipment". First time looking for employment in years (15), so maybe the interviewing skills is rusty. Anymore advice?

 

[rokky]

You are "over qualified".

Sometimes this is a polite way of telling you, you are a little older than what they are looking for. It can also mean they figure you will not stay on when something more challenging comes along.

Many employers have a short list of what they want in a new employee. Could involve age, appearance, experience, etc. This list is not always fair or even legal. Business owners can have many preconcieved ideas or predjudices.

I have heard the rumour of one huge company not hiring people over 50. A relative managed a business where the owner would not hire a specific minority. These kinds of discriminations are illegal in this country but hard to enforce unless complaints are levied and legal action taken.

As you age finding work is more difficult. Many places want young employees they can dominate, train their way, and pay less. Older people are more set in their ways and less prone to pressure, having been there and done that. Of course, they have more to offer in experience and expertise but that may be moot.

Good luck with your job search. Don't be discouraged.