Truth in Interviewing
Posted by Anne
It’s hiring season. After months of hiring freezes, furloughs, and layoffs, the University is starting to see some light at the end of the budget-cut tunnel. Since the spring, my department is finally in the rare position of filling positions to augment our grossly understaffed little office. What does this mean for me? I’m listening to a lot of interviews these days. You know the drill…
What’s a strength of yours that would bring to this position?
Tell us about a time when you experienced a conflict with a co-worker.
And so on.
Since part of my job involves teaching people how to answer these questions in a savvy manner, I’m keenly aware of the “correct” answers. But throughout this rash of recent interviews, I’ve been surprised by how thoroughly I’ve enjoyed the responses that are less savvy and more honest.
Take, for example, that age-old interview question: What are your long-term professional goals?
Funny that I should ask this question so frequently, when I write a BLOG devoted to the fact that we can’t really know what our life holds for us. And yet there I am, asking this future-oriented question, and eagerly awaiting an answer that gracefully incorporates commitment and flexibility, openness and directedness. And in several recent interviews, I’ve gotten some variation on the following response:
I really don’t know.
This is not a text-book answer. It’s not even a wise answer. But it’s damn honest. And when that person goes on to explain how their professional goals evolve—how they only know small snippets of their goals and are still allowing the rest to fall into place—not only do I respect them, I envy them.
There I am, the potential employer—the one with the stable job and career. The one the interviewee is trying to impress. I’m the partial key to that person’s own job security, and what I admire most is their acceptance of our innately ambiguous futures.
If you’re interviewing for a job right now, answer “I don’t know” only at your own risk. Not all employers are career counselors who write self-help blogs. But if you can infuse honesty and self-reflection while marketing yourself? Do it. You’ll not only become employed, you’ll be understood.
If someone asked you about your long-term professional goals, would you have a solid answer? SHOULD we have a solid answer?
July 21st, 2010 at 5:06 am
If someone asked me, “What are your long-term professional goals?” ***crickets***
July 21st, 2010 at 7:33 am
Here I sit, in my cozy office with my MBA and my Director of Marketing title. And even I can’t answer that question. Do I want to continue to have an office job? Do I want to try writing professionally? Do I ever want to stay home with kids? I have no idea. What I do know is that every time I get to a crossroads I tend to make the right judgment call for me and my family. But from my current vantage point I have no idea what those crossroads will be until I get there.
July 21st, 2010 at 8:07 am
Great point Anne! It’s funny how at one point we are telling students about how often people change careers and it’s not a one time decision, and how you really can’t know what you will be doing 5-10 years from now. On the other hand, I know I am constantly asking students in mock interviews that same question. (Mainly because we know employers will be asking it). I wonder if eventually that question will phase out or change. Yes, goals are important, but I think you can get to that without having someone “guess” at where they see themselves in 10 years.
July 21st, 2010 at 8:54 am
I would think that if you could answer that way anywhere it would be at a career center. At a recent interview I had at the local U’s career center they didn’t ask me that one and I was grateful…
July 22nd, 2010 at 10:54 am
What a wise post – it’s so true. We practice and value the “right” answers, but perhaps should be valuing honesty more. Although the economy may be showing some signs of bouncing back, I think there is still great uncertainty. That plus the rapid pace of change in most all industries means we need workers who are adaptable and willing to go with the flow sometimes. We need people who have broad goals, but are willing to figure out the specifics as they go.
July 23rd, 2010 at 4:05 pm
I love your blog!
July 23rd, 2010 at 4:08 pm
Thanks for stopping by, Gossett!