Interview Question: What Other Position Are You Considering?
This interview question is intended to know other opportunities you are considering. It shows the recruiters are interested in you and want to know if they are competing with others for your talent. It is also aimed at giving them a clue on when to bring things to a conclusion with you. Employers don’t want to have their offers pending due to other opportunities the candidate is pursuing. So be aware, the employer may hold off on an offer if you still have another interview cycle pending. However, the question doesn’t guarantee that an offer will be made.
The ‘what other positions are you considering’ question may pose one of three things aside from the employer’s interest in hiring you: an impressive interview performance, an exceptional qualification for the role, or being overqualified for the position at stake. These tend to switch the interviewers to hiring mood; Endeavor to take the initiative to let them know you are in demand when answering. Your response will influence how good the eventual offer will be. If the employer values and appreciates your pedigree, he will stop at nothing to beat off any form of competition, except in unusual circumstances.
The question might be a way for an interviewer to get an insight on why you want to work with their organization when you could be at any other. Don’t try to sound desperate or unattainable, you wouldn’t want to give the interviewer more power than he or she already has. Here are ways to handle the question such that it will not affect the high standard you have set during the recruitment process.
- Make your response concise
You don’t have to be overly detailed about your application and job search processes. Let your response be as direct as the question. if you have been contacted by other employers after applying, feel free to tell the interviewer about it. You can also disclose the number of interviews you have had and the invites you still considering. It is unnecessary to disclose the number of applications you submitted or the firms that turned you down. If you are at an advance discussion with a firm or have received an offer, there is no need to go into the details of the offers or negotiation; You never can tell if the offers you are about to get from the interviewing firm will be better. Let your response start and end around your interview circle and the number of offers you have received.
- Be truthful
Applicants might be tempted to allude that they are not considering other job options even when they are. This is to create the impression that the interviewing firm is the only organization they are interested in working at. As complimentary as it might appear to the interviewer, they might start rethinking their impression of you. It could give the illusion that maybe they missed a red flag on your resume that other recruiters picked on. It can also make them take longer in getting back to you.
Similarly, if you haven’t had an interview or received any offer say so. And give cogent reasons why it is so; Perhaps you are just starting your job search or fresh in the labor market. If your submissions are later discovered to be untrue, you will get disqualified for the position.
- Know your limits
The question is dicey; Answering it without proper understanding can get you in trouble. If you have signed a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) that bars you from disclosing any contractual term, keep to it. Make sure you study the document before you reveal anything you agreed not to during your interview. Don’t get caught in the moment, it is better to be safe than sorry.
- Be observant and confident
This type of question normally comes towards the end of the interview. Try an read the interviewer’s countenance, body language, and gestures to know what exactly they want to hear. Sometimes they just want numbers or names. Similarly, appear sure of whatever you are saying without being high-headed about it.
Examples of answers
The examples highlighted depend on your particular situation.
- If you are considering roles with competitors: if your recent or upcoming interviews are within the industry. Your response should show you are actively exploring options within your discipline. For example:
“I recently had an interview with ABC Agro Ltd and do have another coming up soon with DEF Agro-allied Ltd for inventory control manager positions. But I can tell you that base on what I know; This position has exactly what I am looking for in my next role.”
- When interviewing in other industries: this could be a bit tricky. You wouldn’t want to appear wonders all around looking for a job, so it requires a bit more coordination than the first situation. Before answering, take a few seconds to find the connections between all the positions. Once you have a common thread, let it guide your response. For example
“I am currently interviewing with several firms for different positions, but they all come down to delivering an excellent customer experience. I wanted to keep an open mind about how best to achieve that goal, but it feels that this role will allow me to focus all more on customer experience and retention, which is what I love doing.”
- If you are not considering any position: instead of bluntly telling the interviewer that you are not in for any role, you can bring up firms and positions you are looking out for. It could sound like this:
“I am still very early in my job search. I have applied to a few positions that will allow me to use my skills in programming to design great programs that will excite clients. I find this position interesting because I can leverage my talent and still deliver the best experience to your clients
- When you have signed a non-disclosure agreement: in this situation, you should say nothing, recruiters will understand that you have a contract or pre-contract agreement. Just say something like this:
“At this point, I am not allowed to disclose any information about my other offers”
This question is a good indicator that the employer enjoyed interviewing you and is already considering you for the job, or at worse as a finalist. How impressed and satisfied the interviewer gets from your response can be a deal maker or breaker. Endeavor to make great use of the opportunity by answer the question in the ways you have been guided above.
