Why do you want this position?
Dear Interviewers, please stop asking us why we want to work for you and while we’re at it, drop these other infamous interview questions as well…
If I had to rank all of the interview questions I’ve been asked over the years I would say the most popular question, as well as, the most irritating is, without hesitation…
Why do you want this position?
It’s not always phrased that way. Sometimes it’s disguised as, ‘Why you?’ or ‘What is it about this role that interests you?’
It’s ridiculous. It misses the point. It sets a bad precedent for what you want out of your employees because you are asking them to lie to get the job because the reality is most of us are usually interviewing for jobs that we don’t want. We need them. And the honest response to that question would be,
‘Why do I want this position? I don’t want it. I need it because I am a human person that needs water, food and shelter to survive and in order to obtain these items I need currency in the form of United States Dollars which I can only get if I have a job or steal. Which is why I need this, or, quite honestly, any position.’
But you and I know both know interviewers don’t want the truth! Sure they may say they want the truth. They’re all looking for unique hires, who ‘think outside the box’ and ‘challenge the status quo’ so long as you follow the rules and don’t rock the boat. They want to hear you genuinely express how ever since you were little you wanted to be an Account Manager for the First National Bank of Tacoma.
‘Why, I can recall playing in the sandbox and always being concerned that the other children weren’t getting a good return on their allowance.’
Sadly this response is only sincere and honest if you’re actually interviewing for a job that little kids aspire to, (i.e. a Fireman, an Astronaut, a Ballerina, an Athlete, an Actor or President.)
This approach is a bit more tedious if you’re applying for well, anything else. It requires you lie. It requires that you act like you want the role. Which isn’t easy but it’s surprising how we’ve all just gone along with this routine.
We should take a minute to acknowledge that the role of the interviewer is often a thankless job and a tedious one at that. They’re trying to find unique people in a sea of normalcy. The true standouts in society are most likely standing out in their own desired field, creating revolutionary products, content, art etc. They’re not applying for a role as a designer of html5 ad banners.
We don’t want to lie so don’t make us do it. And while we’re at it here are 5 more classic interview questions we can cut…
- What are your biggest strengths/ weaknesses? Everyone lies about their strengths and everyone pretends they haven’t any weakness. LIES!
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Well, I can tell you that 5 years ago I didn’t see myself here applying for this nonsense.
- Out of all the candidates why should we hire you? You shouldn’t!
- Tell me about a time when something didn’t go as planned? See: My Column from Last Week.
- Describe your dream job? 30hours a week, full-time benefits, stock options, minimal oversight, loads of praise, free coffee, a car, wardrobe allowance, the ability to fire anyone who likes Maroon 5… I might need to spend a column on this one actually.
Check out my column next week where I’ll be discussing my job hunt when I first moved to San Francisco and how I became a Cannabis Game Show Host.
