Trick question: Why are you looking for a new job?
8 January 2013
Read by 2743 persons
If you are in a job interview while already employed, you may be asked why you are looking elsewhere. This is the time to frankly express your expectations.
What the recruiter wants to know
"When a worker starts looking for a job, it's because not everything is perfect in their current position," says Jean-Philippe Gauthier, recruitment director for Robert Half, Finance and Accounting. "The future employer knows this and wants to know the reasons that are pushing you to leave."
Their goal is not to verify if you are fleeing a conflict situation at work. Because if that's the case, you probably won't talk about it. And that's the kind of verification that is done by taking references. "What they mainly want is to know your professional expectations in order to assess whether they have the capacity to satisfy them."
Express your expectations
"The interview is a privileged moment for exchanging information," says Mr. Gauthier. "Take advantage of this question to clearly express your expectations. Say what you are looking for in a new job, whether it's different tasks, responsibilities or other challenges. If you want a more stable schedule, say so too. The goal is to be very honest so that in the end you change jobs for the better."
Clues about your personality
"This question also helps to assess the candidate's attitude," adds Annie Chauvette, employment counselor for the Centre d'intervention des Basses-Laurentides for employment.
If you spontaneously start talking against your boss, your supervisors or the policies of the company that hires you, it can be a sign that you have trouble with authority. The recruiter assesses here whether they want to manage this type of personality.
Stay positive and grateful
"Show yourself positive towards your employer," says Annie Chauvette. "This is an attitude valued by recruiters. You can, for example, mention that you appreciate the chance you had to learn such a task and gain experience in such a field, but that you now wish to move on to something else. And this is the time to specify what attracts you to this new company and what interests you in the desired position."
Jobboom.com
Posted online January 8, 2013.
What the recruiter wants to know
"When a worker starts looking for a job, it's because not everything is perfect in their current position," says Jean-Philippe Gauthier, recruitment director for Robert Half, Finance and Accounting. "The future employer knows this and wants to know the reasons that are pushing you to leave."
Their goal is not to verify if you are fleeing a conflict situation at work. Because if that's the case, you probably won't talk about it. And that's the kind of verification that is done by taking references. "What they mainly want is to know your professional expectations in order to assess whether they have the capacity to satisfy them."
Express your expectations
"The interview is a privileged moment for exchanging information," says Mr. Gauthier. "Take advantage of this question to clearly express your expectations. Say what you are looking for in a new job, whether it's different tasks, responsibilities or other challenges. If you want a more stable schedule, say so too. The goal is to be very honest so that in the end you change jobs for the better."
Clues about your personality
"This question also helps to assess the candidate's attitude," adds Annie Chauvette, employment counselor for the Centre d'intervention des Basses-Laurentides for employment.
If you spontaneously start talking against your boss, your supervisors or the policies of the company that hires you, it can be a sign that you have trouble with authority. The recruiter assesses here whether they want to manage this type of personality.
Stay positive and grateful
"Show yourself positive towards your employer," says Annie Chauvette. "This is an attitude valued by recruiters. You can, for example, mention that you appreciate the chance you had to learn such a task and gain experience in such a field, but that you now wish to move on to something else. And this is the time to specify what attracts you to this new company and what interests you in the desired position."
Jobboom.com
Posted online January 8, 2013.
