How To Answer Interview Question: What Is Your Dream Job?
Only a few can match the feeling of being called for an interview. No matter how experienced or exposed you are, you still have worries about how to answer interview questions. It is easy to understand why: they can determine whether you get the job or not. Sometimes, how well you perform during an interview makes up for any lapses in your level of experience.
The worrying thing about interviews is that you can never really tell what questions you would be asked. In fact, some questions can throw a confident candidate off their game which is what you probably dread. Fortunately, this post covers how to answer one of the most crucial interview questions you would likely face. You will also discover how to scale through interviews and why this question is important to the employer.
Why The Question Is Important To The Employer
Interviewers ask certain questions deliberately to see if you will be a good fit for each other. Also, due to past experiences and company policies, these questions will help them know what to expect from you. One of the common yet crucial interview questions asked is what your dream job is. The interviewer is keen to know your answer as it gives an insight into your perception of the role they are offering.
Your answer goes a long way in helping them to determine whether you will be with them long-term or short-term. The chances that you will stay with them for a long time are slim if you reveal that your dream job does not correlate with what you are being offered.
How To Answer The Question: What Is Your Dream Job?
Your answer Should Be Near What You Are Currently Doing.
It is acceptable to be coy about not saying the wrong thing or getting caught in a trap by your interviewer. However, while you are being careful to give a good answer, your dream job should relate to what you are being interviewed for. If there is no correlation between your dream job and the prospective one, it sends the wrong signals. Logically, any serious and ambitious person would want to take on jobs that would prepare them for their dream job. For instance, if you are vying for a marketing role, your dream job should not relate to surgery.
Expectations and Aspirations Should Take Some Time to Reach.
The interviewer assesses your expectations and would not readily accept someone whose aspirations would affect their business. Upon telling your employer what your dream job is, make sure that you give them the impression that landing the dream job would take much effort and time. This shows that you can be in the organization long-term if that is what the current position entails. Naturally, if your dreams are big, reaching them wouldn’t be a piece of cake.
It Shouldn’t Be Where You Are at The Moment.
One big mistake candidates make when asked this question is trying to impress the interviewer by mentioning the current position as their dream job. It gives the interviewer a wrong impression of you. First, it shows that you are not dreaming or thinking big enough. Second, it proves that you are desperate to please them. Third, you would come off as not motivated and lacking a competitive nature or drive to reach greater heights. Although your dream job should be related to the one you are looking to have currently, it must not be the same thing.
You Should Be Able to Give Details of the Dream Job to Show That You Have It Figured Out.
Employers love it when their potential employee sounds assured- it means they know what they are doing. Thus, in telling your interviewer what your dream job is, you should give details of what it is to you. Highlight the basic tools and skills you need, including the years it would take you to get there. Also, let them know the bigger picture- how it affects society and what good it could do for all.
Try Not to Come Off as a Potential Rival.
It is one thing to be seen as ambitious and another for your potential employer to be wary of you. When they see you as a potential threat to their business or a competition, you have not helped your cause. Nobody wants to hire someone, give them the opportunity and the tools to wreck their business soon. While you give details of your dream job, conclude by reminding them why you are there. Let them know that you see the position as an opportunity to hone your skills and be more productive.
Tips For Passing Interviews
Have you ever wondered why many people flunk interviews? This includes extremely smart people and some of those who you would expect to ace them. In many cases, it is not about how difficult the interview questions are. It is more about how the candidates respond to the questions and their total demeanor. A few simple tips can make a big difference in changing your fortunes for good. Follow these vital yet simple tips for acing interview questions.
Prepare for The Interview.
Not preparing for an interview is a sign of cockiness or daftness at its worst. An important determinant of your professional aspirations should be treated as vital. Preparing for an interview involves how to be in the best frame of mind before and during the process. This includes taking care of your mind and body for the interview. Also, preparing includes getting ready to answer questions correctly. Before an interview, it is wise to get familiar with common interview questions you might encounter. These questions (and how to answer them) will help you prepare for what to expect. Some of these questions get repeated and that increases your chances of acing the interview.
Get Adequate Rest.
There is no better cure for stress than rest. As humans in the face of fierce competition, we naturally get stressed. However, the way people feel and respond to stress is different. While some can handle stress well, others can’t. The worst time to get a breakdown due to stress is during an interview. A good way to avoid this is to get adequate rest at least 24 hours before the interview. Eat properly to provide your brain with enough oxygen and sleep well to rest the nerves and muscles in your body.
Be Confident.
A lack of confidence in crucial moments reduces even the most qualified candidate’s chances of success. The fear of failing is one of the major causes of overthinking which leads to a lack of confidence. Unless you are an impostor or you are being interviewed for the wrong position, you have nothing to fear. Sometimes, how you answer certain interview questions goes a long way in getting you the job. When you answer certain questions you are not completely sure of with confidence, it becomes more believable. But if you are not articulate or ooze a lack of confidence, it makes you seem unsure of your answers.
Pay Attention to detail.
One of the most sought-after skills employers look for is your ability to pay attention to detail. This required skill will be put to the test during your interview. During the interview, the way you answer questions will show whether you are attentive or not. Also, how you accurately observe your environment is a big indication of paying attention to detail. In answering questions, look out for the keywords in the questions and give answers based on them. For example, if an interviewer asks a question like: “What is the current state of e-commerce in New York to you?” If you listen closely, you would notice some keywords:
- Ecommerce
- New York
- The current state
Don’t dwell on engineering in San Francisco in the 20th century, for instance. Your response should focus on these keywords and try not to deviate from them.
Don’t Try Too Hard to Impress.
An interview is perhaps your last chance to prove how much of a valuable asset you could be. As a result, it is only natural to give it your all efforts to land the job. This makes many overdo it while trying to impress. For instance, if you have some interesting skills or accomplishments, you might be tempted to oversell them. Taking every opportunity to remind your potential employer of your previous achievements could come off as desperate or arrogant. Also, trying to show how smart or experienced you are when it is unnecessary sends a bad signal to interviewers. They already have your CV or resume, which means they are aware of your skills and achievements. Don’t try too hard to remind them. Only include your experience when answering questions if it is necessary.
Don’t Include Skills or Qualifications You Cannot Defend.
One of the quickest ways to irritate your interviewer is to be caught being a fraud. Truly, your skills, qualifications, and experience are the major elements that give you an edge over your competitors. However, do not fall into the temptation of implying that you are capable of something when you are not. For instance, if you are only fluent in one language while you are still a beginner in another, say so. And if you only know the fundamentals of programming, for example, don’t let the interviewer think you are the full package. Some of your interviewers can be an expert in the field and ask you technical questions. If you can’t defend what you profess, you could be seen as a fraud. Be as direct and truthful as possible in all cases.
Conclusion
Interview questions go a long way in determining whether you will get the job or not. Although the questions are not always what you expect, there are a few common yet vital ones. Avoid what could make you flunk the interview. Next, tell your interviewer what your dream job is. As long as you do not come off as a future major competitor to your potential employers, you will do fine.