NA Job interview question NA

exncsurfer

exncsurfer

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exncsurfer
OK, so I'm interviewing for jobs for the first time in 20 years or so. I've been asked twice now, 'So what is your dream job?' or 'What is your ideal job?' or something to that effect. Both times I was taken off guard and drawing a blank with how to respond. Is this a trick question? I mean, I'm applying for a job with these people, obviously I want THIS job. Do they want me to say, well I really want to work at Burger King but this McDonalds gig opened up. Are the looking for a suck up answer, Well this job here with you would be my dream job. Do they want honesty, well I really liked my last job and would have liked to have stayed there but I was layed off.

Looking for jobs sucks. Probably more so after 20 years of not having to.

Could any of you guys on the hiring side shed a bit of light on this one?
 
Personally, I would say something along the lines of it (dream job) being a job that aligns with my talents and interests. Then, point out how that job aligned with specific characteristics of those talents and interest. I would point to areas where you anticipate excelling.
 
I could be wrong, but I would interpret a question like that to be the interviewer gauging how well you will be satisfied with the position you’re applying for and also if you possess the right skills to do the job.

I would just be straight up about what type of challenges you’re looking for and what type of work environment you think is ideal, because obviously they know you want the job you’re applying for.

My 2c.
 
I’ve never asked that question but I would imagine they are trying to gauge both ambition and realism. The ‘best' answer is likely something that is a logical, credible but ambitious job you could get promoted into over time if you kick ass in the job you are interviewing for. How high you should shoot depends on a lot of factors - including your past history of advancement and where you are in your career (eg don’t say your dream job is to be CEO if you are 55 years old and applying for a low level management position with only 1-2 promotions in your career to date).
 
A job that keeps my interest, challenges me to expand my talents and rewards me for my innovation. Maybe that's why I'm retired.
 
RudyP said:
I’ve never asked that question but I would imagine they are trying to gauge both ambition and realism. The ‘best' answer is likely something that is a logical, credible but ambitious job you could get promoted into over time if you kick ass in the job you are interviewing for. How high you should shoot depends on a lot of factors - including your past history of advancement and where you are in your career (eg don’t say your dream job is to be CEO if you are 55 years old and applying for a low level management position with only 1-2 promotions in your career to date).
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I disagree entirely. It's called a dream job for a reason. Otherwise it would be called a goal.
 
Less flippant answer is that is not a question I would ask. I think it shows uncreative thinking on the part of the interviewer. People's dreams change over time and circumstance, so what's the point of wasting valuable interview time? The goal is to match the candidate with the culture of the organization. You'd presume they showed the skills and experience or they wouldn't be interviewed.
 
Bill Jennings said:
Yours
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I did that at a review. I'd been working at the company for about a 4 years and it was annual review time. Boss asked, I answered. Strangely enought, he liked it because he wanted his boss' job. So we planned for both our goals. Unfortunately, the company went under before we could make it happen.
 
Umbrella boy for Danica Patrick.

Seriously, as an interviewer I might not frame the question that way, but I'm wanting to see whether you intend to grow with my company. I don't want to hire you and have you retire in place. A candidate who tells me that today he wants a position with opportunities for him to grow, to receive OJT and other training, take formal classes, become better and better over the next few years and move into an XYZ position, will find favor with me.

I'm looking for a reasonable amount of ambition and also for someone to be a life-long learner.
 
Bill Jennings said:
Yours
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Ahhhh.... a Harvard man, I see....:lol::lol:

A friend of mine, his first out of college job back in the early 80s, was working HR at a big company in the Northeast. His duty was to make sure each applicant filled out the paper work correctly, then ask what job they were applying for. The Harvard graduates would say, "yours". He would finish up with them, thank them, then deposit their application/resume in the shredder...
 
dmspilot said:
I disagree entirely. It's called a dream job for a reason. Otherwise it would be called a goal.
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Well yeah but responding porn star, James Bond or fighter pilot won’t necessarily get you a lot of points if you’re applying for an accounting position in a big company.

There is a reason I put 'best' in quotes.
 
I interviewed for a job at the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant at an on-campus interview. They asked me if I would rather work outside, or in an office. I had to think about that one. I didn't really want to get stuck in either. I told them I could deal with both of them. Didn't get a job offer.
 
exncsurfer said:
OK, so I'm interviewing for jobs for the first time in 20 years or so. I've been asked twice now, 'So what is your dream job?' or 'What is your ideal job?' or something to that effect. Both times I was taken off guard and drawing a blank with how to respond. Is this a trick question? I mean, I'm applying for a job with these people, obviously I want THIS job. Do they want me to say, well I really want to work at Burger King but this McDonalds gig opened up. Are the looking for a suck up answer, Well this job here with you would be my dream job. Do they want honesty, well I really liked my last job and would have liked to have stayed there but I was layed off.

Looking for jobs sucks. Probably more so after 20 years of not having to.

Could any of you guys on the hiring side shed a bit of light on this one?
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I hate stupid HR interview questions.
 
I dream of being a King, or perhaps a god. Meanwhile I'd like a position where I can _____ and _____ in support of the companies goals. I like to be (strategic/tactical). A position where I'm (hands on / managing).

So, the question is a lead in to hear what you like doing.

The only wrong answer it parroting the title of the job spec they are interviewing for.

And generally this question comes from the HR department. Gotta love them.
 
Clark1961 said:
Answer: towel boy in a bordello

Reason: If they don't have a sense of humor I don't want to work there.
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What if they respond with,"we don't have that position open but we have a towel boy in a bath house available, would you be interested?"
 
Ravioli said:
And generally this question comes from the HR department. Gotta love them.
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And other gems like this one:

If you were an (animal, vehicle, piece of living room furniture, etc.) what would you be and why?
 
Sac Arrow said:
I interviewed for a job at the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant at an on-campus interview. They asked me if I would rather work outside, or in an office. I had to think about that one. I didn't really want to get stuck in either. I told them I could deal with both of them. Didn't get a job offer.
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"Applicant indecisive. Next!"
 
paflyer said:
What if they respond with,"we don't have that position open but we have a towel boy in a bath house available, would you be interested?"
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I’d laugh.

Did you expect some other response?
 
murphey said:
I did that at a review. I'd been working at the company for about a 4 years and it was annual review time. Boss asked, I answered. Strangely enought, he liked it because he wanted his boss' job. So we planned for both our goals. Unfortunately, the company went under before we could make it happen.
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That doesn't work if the manager is insecure.
 
At this stage in my life/career, if they asked where I see myself in 5 years I'd say, "On a fooking beach drinking Mai Tais and wondering what's for dinner, numbnuts."
 
I give stupid questions equally stupid answers. Last time anyone asked me my dream job the answer was world dictator. That's my ideal job too. The trick is to keep the other guy talking. For example, the time I said world dictator I then asked what job they had a their dump that was similar. Put the other guy on the spot hard (that's what he was trying unsuccessfully to do to me) and though he did squirm a bit he did start talking. I definitely helped him through, asked what they actually wanted to hire me to do, why now, how'd that fit in with the company, what didi the company see as its mission, stuff like that. As far as how big was the company, how many divisions, where were they, what did they do; stuff like that you should know walking in.
 
I answered that question with "sitting in the back seat of a Champ giving dual off a grass strip."

I figure that was good because my dream job involves teaching flying, which is also the job I was applying for (and got)...just different equipment.
 
Bill Jennings said:
And other gems like this one:

If you were an (animal, vehicle, piece of living room furniture, etc.) what would you be and why?
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At which point I thank them for the opportunity to chat with them, and leave. What I want to say is "Thanks for wasting my time and effort" but I don't. Parents always taught me to be polite, dress better than the customer, and pay cash.
 
paflyer said:
That doesn't work if the manager is insecure.
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True, but ya gotta know the people and the personalities. I did say that to him, and I could have also said it to his boss (Dennis), it was that type of company. Dennis also knew that at any time, he could take any one of us (3 engineers and the mgr) along to a customer meeting, we were that interchangeable. Cut-throat ambition wasn't appreciated, but if you were good at your job, and the next one up the line, there was always encouragement and opportunity. Best job I ever had, and one of the best companies. Might be one of the reasons it went out of business.

Altho....the first job I had out of grad school was Exxon. During the interview, I was asked where I saw myself in 5 years. I was very candid and replied "not here". They hired me anyway. Of course I got away with it because I was being interviewed as A Token and there was no attempt to hide it. The division was under scrutiny for hiring practices, and I happened along at the right time.
 
steingar said:
I give stupid questions equally stupid answers. Last time anyone asked me my dream job the answer was world dictator. That's my ideal job too. The trick is to keep the other guy talking. For example, the time I said world dictator I then asked what job they had a their dump that was similar. Put the other guy on the spot hard (that's what he was trying unsuccessfully to do to me) and though he did squirm a bit he did start talking. I definitely helped him through, asked what they actually wanted to hire me to do, why now, how'd that fit in with the company, what didi the company see as its mission, stuff like that. As far as how big was the company, how many divisions, where were they, what did they do; stuff like that you should know walking in.
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My university just had a couple technical job fairs, so instead of compiler theory in my upper division class, we've been discussing how to read a job posting, how to craft a resume and cover letter, how to interview, etc. Three of my students told me yesterday they have either paid internships or jobs starting in May, and really benefitted from our class discussions.
 
Someone asks me my biggest weakness it’s impatience with stupid questions asked by witless HR people.
 
I was asked that question once. For some bizarre reason, "Bomb Defuser" came into my head, and that's what I answered. The interviewer asked why, and I said because I didn't like people looking over my shoulder while I worked. I didn't get the job.

Rich
 
My boss asked me "what kind of animal would you be if you could choose?"
I said Eagle. He thought I was showing I am a focused, type A Guy.

Now had he followed up with "and tell my why" He would have been disappointed by my response "I love to fly".
 
What kind of jobs are you guys getting all these HR nightmare questions from? They read like an Onion article about corporate america hiring practices.
 
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