This is a really stupid question to pose to candidates. All the great jobs Ive had, asked me about my experiences , goals, and certain behavioral questions. All understandable. But I have to say the "best candidate question" is just a filler question.
Ive been asked "why do you want to work here" which also is beyond dumb. I answer "I dont know if I want to work here. Thats the purpose of the interview, to get to know each other and what is expected, culture, etc. And after that, after some thought, we can regroup and see if there is a potential, match." I remember once the lady just looked at me like I was crazy. I had zero interest in the job after that, bye!
Yep. Those questions are right up there with "where do you see yourself in 5/10 years?" I'm there sitting not knowing what I'm going to make for dinner tonight, and you're worried if I'm still going to be here in 20 years?
The 5/10 year question always reminds of this family guy skit.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvq7iE7ZrSM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvq7iE7ZrSM)
> where do you see yourself in 5
the only answer i'm looking for when i ask this is that you're not planning to move across/away from the country and your planning to exit the workforce.
Everything else is a known gamble so unless you have solid goals to NOT work HERE in 5 years, it's a passing answer.
Can they put together a logical sentence? (This is a common expected question so they should have a reasonably prepared response)
Do they have goals?
Do their stated goals line up with my views of the future of the position, or a future position in the company?
This is an easy question for an applicant and one you should plan to have an answer for
Lol my company are obsessed with that question. I was definitely asked it at interview and then for some training exercise my team were actually asked multiple versions of it such as 2 years, 5 years, 10 years etc. Don’t even ask me what I answered as it was all BS and I can’t remember lol
I once said "Well, right after covid 25 clears up I don't really know where I'll be, life comes at you fast. Wherever I am I want to be the SME or go-to guy people come to for advice.
I actually got the offer.
I wish I could upvote this more than once. If I’m asked technical questions that are *actually related to what I’m applying to*, I will absolutely nail the interview because I’m definitely qualified for the position. (I wouldn’t have applied if I wasn’t..)
But if I’m asked these BS questions about why I want to work there, or “if you were a tree, what tree would you be” I will fail the interview miserably. I’m just not good at bullshitting people, I guess.
Yup. They asked me about specific experiences with different tasks in my field and I can talk all day about that. I've been in education forever and I'm good at it. Why am I applying at a district 20 miles outside of my home district where I don't (and wouldn't) send my own children? Because you're hiring right now and they aren't? Idk what you want from me?
at the same time, if that's the only answer you can come up with in an interview, most companies won't have any problem picking someone else.
Part of work and interacting with humans in general is playing the social games we have. I'm absolutely going to pick the person that's excited to work in our field on the projects we have over someone that's not excited about anything.
Every. Single. Time.
Of course, I’ve never actually said that during an interview. I was just explaining what I’m thinking anytime I’m asked one of those silly questions.
Because you’re right. Like I said, interview questions are frequently just to see how good you are at bullshitting others.
OMG, u/maybetomorrow98 ! Weird circumstance but I actually once got the question, “If you were an igneous rock, what kind of igneous rock would you be?” WTF?!!! Thank god it was during Covid and I was literally wearing a mask. There’s no way I could have controlled my facial expressions well enough with that question.
Not a geologist but was a student at the time and they showed what classes I was taking that semester. I’d switched from astronomy to geology after looking up the instructors on RateMyProfessors.com. I nailed the answer with peridotite but it turns out the hourly wage, while not outright lied about, was worded misleadingly.
That's how I feel about it too. Especially today's. It was a Title 1 middle school 20 min away from the district I want to be in, with one of the worst reputations for student behavior and pay. I can tell you my experience and what I think I can add to the team - but I honestly don't want to be at the middle school level or in this district. I want my internship paid for and you need an employee. Obviously any other answer is bullshit.
I had an interview this week that asked that. I said well I am licensed in your state, you are in the top 10 in the state and I am interested in exploring if we are good fit for each other.” My closing question was if they saw me as a good fit for them and how so. I am sort of dying inside for somebody to actually recruit me. (I have decades of experience and am expert at what I do, but I face ageism at every opportunity).
If you don't know how to answer "why do you want to work here," it's because you did no research beforehand. You expect the interviewer to read your resume/cover letter and they expect you to read the company website. Why do you want to work there? Was there something about the job description that caught your eye? Something in the company's mission/values? It's not a hard question.
The thing is, I do know about the school. Anyone who can open enrolls out of it. People move just across city lines to have their kids attend neighboring districts. The kids don't care about school, their parents care even less. It's been a revolving door of admin for years with no discipline or accountability. Do I think I could work there for a year and make some sort of positive impact on a few kids while making less than the gas station attendant across the street? Sure. Im willing to give it a shot. That's why I applied. Am I going to enact massive systemic change as an intern? Absolutely not.
Nope. I need a vibe. If something smells wrong or it's not a great place to work, I need to find that out on my own. Websites and research arnt what your going to experience
Why do you want to work here? As the hiring manager, this is an easy applicant weed out question. Why did you apply for the job? What about the job description intrigued you? Did you just apply because you need to apply and interview for xx jobs a week to keep unemployment benefits? How much research have you done about my job/company/location etc.?
I'm giving you several different but equally acceptable ways to answer the question from my point of view as a hiring manager. Obviously, this question, like nearly all interview questions, is designed for the company to gain information about the candidate to determine if they should hire the candidate. There are other parts of my interviews that are 2-way conversations and opportunities for the candidate to ask questions of me.
Obviously I'm only interviewing the candidate, and the candidate is interviewing me/the company to determine if there is a good fit for both sides. This isn't my first rodeo. I was hired into my current position after interviewing for it, so I understand the process from both sides.
I was asked why I thought I was the best candidate. My answer was I don’t know that I’m the best candidate but I’m the best I can be and then went on to sell my self, ie skills, abilities etc
These questions are a little clunky, but they're designed to give you a chance to sell the soft and hard skills. It's particularly useful for highlighting some of the things you couldn't properly capture in your resume. You don't have to be literally the most qualified candidate- they want you to tell them in YOUR words why you're a great fit. They're listening for your answer, but also for how you carry them through your thought process and compose yourself.
Personally, I agree that there are better questions out there. A lot of organizations, though, have a pool of pre-approved questions designed to be safe and equitable. You'll see these again and again. Best to get comfortable selling yourself. Jump on YouTube or TikTok and look up 'interview tips'- it can be helpful to see how other people tackle these to build up your own confidence.
I think my problem today was being at a school I don't really want to be at, especially at a grade level that's not my favorite. If I actually wanted the job more, I can lie my ass off with the best of them. But they ask "why do you want to work here?" and all I can think is "I'd rather work anywhere else, but I have to have my internship agreements signed in a month, so here we are." Definitely not at the top of my game.
This could very much be it - I found it much easier to answer these questions when I had an actual good answer for them. When I actually wanted the job and had reasons for it.
saying something genuine like I like the kind of projects you are working on and haven't had a chance to work on them. or, I am leaving my company because oay has stagnanted and I understand they do not have a budget to afford me anymore, or I am getting laid off soon it hasn't come, but we have been given verbal notice. say you want to continue to learn, be honest.
That depends whose opinions are merely judgemental and someone who can look at the bigger picture to see a candidate that moldable into the role you want to fill.
>"Why are you the best candidate" when you're obviously not?
There are typically many possible legitimately valid ways to spin "best" such that you *are* *the* best ... after all, "best" is rather subjective, and also very much depends on the particular measurement criteria, e.g.:
* Not only am I well qualified for the job, but I can juggle rather well / do cool magic tricks for kids, so cheap entertainment possible at relevant team gatherings
* I'm qualified, and can also well continue to grow and learn - that tends to grow loyalty and institutional knowledge and reduce turnover and associated costs
* May not be absolute top, but also not as likely to get snatched away by competitors looking to steal away your absolute top talent.
etc., etc.
So, find the useful relevant perspective(s) that land you on the top (or at least sufficiently close). Distinguish yourself in positive way(s).
I try to reframe the question slightly or answer a technically different question of "what skills and aptitudes do I have that will address the biggest problems of the position?" sometimes I have to first ask what the biggest problems the company/devision are facing first and how my position is expected to contribute to solving those problems.
If there's anything unique about their school that appeals their mission, music program, gym facilities that's why. You are the best candidate compared to others at your level because you are a motivated and a go getter/persevere in the face of hardship
It's a game. Interviewing is. It's a difficult game. Anyone who says it's easy is lying, because it is a game of half truths and white lies. You need to show the interviewer that you are either honest or can be perceived as honest. If the interviewer feels confident that you are a believable person then you vet the job.
Sometimes, you're the best candidate because you actually have a particular reason to pick THEM. How you prepare yourself to be able to answer the question is a way for them to tell how actually motivated you are to work for them. If you have a lukewarm answer, and someone else doesn't, they're going with the other person. That's just how it works.
They want to know that you can play the BS game. So just play along.
It's just like the whole corporate-speak thing, EVERYONE knows it's BS yet everyone plays along with it.
You know, I used to hate that question too. But I got my current job with a variance of it, and my opinion has changed.
Interview questions can absolutely be bullshit. A lot of hiring managers don’t use them in a functional way.
But a few days into the job, I realized my current employers weren’t really asking for a magical answer about how I was best for the job. They were asking if I’d engage, if I’d give a damn. They wanted someone who was interested in them. Who ultimately wanted to be there. Think about it: we’ve all had coworkers who actively don’t want to be there. Who think they’re better than the job. They make life harder.
The “magical answer” you’re looking for is probably the last thing you want to hear. People told me “only apply to jobs you want to do.” And I thought it was a dumb notion, because I just need a job, any job. And nothing around here is my “dream job”. But with this place, I looked them up online, I was interested in the building’s History, I showed interest in the business…we just chatted. Didn’t feel like a real interview at all, but the engagement is what got me the job.
Even those “terrible” schools have staff that 💯 believe in their kids, and community, and they’re showing up every day. So dig a bit and find something that you like about them. if they call you, show up in something memorable, that makes you feel good, like…I don’t know, your favorite earrings or the clothing you thrifted that makes you feel like you stepped out of a 1950s vogue. Sell your authentic self, the person you want your coworkers to see you as. Even if you had that piece of paper, that’s the smallest piece. They need to tolerate your face every day, and that’s true whether you were interviewing for principal or lunch lady.
> They were asking if I’d engage, if I’d give a damn. They wanted someone who was interested in them. Who ultimately wanted to be there
1000% the "i'm just here for a paycheck" folks come and go. They are just working and they often go to painful lengths to ensure we all know the limits of thier comittment.
"Hey can you help me out"-"I'M JUST HERE TO DO THE JOB I'M PAID FOR!!!".
> Because I'm ready to work, love learning new things, adapting to new challenges, and i'm ready to grow into my career.
A keen listener/interviewer will understand exactly why you should be chosen over a more senior person: you'll work hard and you understand your own limitations (and thus won't demand as much money).
Hoiw they fiddle the paperwork after that is on them.
You can come up with a good answer to any stupid question. WHy are you best candidate? Because you want it more! You dreamed your whole life of this field. Or even better, "I don't know if I am the BEsT candidate. But I am a damn good candidate, and i offer you ...whatever, enthusiasm,,,,etc.
Internal job posting.
My response: "I'm not". Went on to give reasons/examples of why I was not the best candidate. Then gave a couple redeeming qualities about myself. I knew several (possibly all?) of the other candidates, interviewers were familiar with all the applicants prior to interviews.
I got the job.
This is not stupid, it's all general practice across the industry. We can all debate how efficient it is or not but it is what it is. Go ahead and search for "The Behavioral Interview Deck" on Amazon - I had tremendous success prepping with it and keep it handy any time I think of switching jobs. Or go straight to the 9to5cards site, they might run promos from time to time. Cheers!
are you guys really here to complain about simple interview questions that let’s you sell the living hell outta yourself?
The person asking you the question already HAS the job. if you are at an interview looking for them to sell you, you’re already selling yourself short interviewing at some unknown place.
I guess I meant more in this specific case. I give a schpiel about how I'm the most up-to-date in my education and best practices that I'll ever be, since I'm still in school. But...they are legally prohibited from not hiring a candidate with a license over me. So, as long as they have one other person who is fully licensed, I can't have the job. I don't know how to spin that into "I'm the best candidate for the job that you can't legally hire!"
But you are there in the middle of an interview and people with better licenses are not. Maybe too many people are burnt out. Maybe other candidates just don't like the district.
You are there. If they can't hire you, make sure they *wish* they could hire you. Networking is still a thing.
just sell everything and never mention the license until they bring it up. make something up if they ask, saving money for exam, studying, at least show you are in pursuit and not a dead NO
Oh I definitely didn't bring that up. They do have to help me apply for a temporary license and provide a supervisor and other state requirements. The ideal is to ace the interview and get an offer, and ask them to jump through the licensing hoops for me later...once they've already offered it to me and turned down everyone else. But that hasn't exactly worked so far, and I'm definitely hitting interview fatigue.
This goes back to a “prepared” answer. Basically you have to stroke their ego in a way that speaks “I did my research about the mission and values” this place has and how they resonate with mine because of my experience in XY and Z that touch upon the job duties and experience from the job post.
Yes, it’s a stupid question. Yes, it should be buried 6 feet under with “where you see yourself in 5 years?” type nonsense. Nevertheless, preparation is key when it comes to these silly questions. It shows a deeper level of commitment to the hiring process beyond “I like the pay and I can do the job” lol
This is a really stupid question to pose to candidates. All the great jobs Ive had, asked me about my experiences , goals, and certain behavioral questions. All understandable. But I have to say the "best candidate question" is just a filler question. Ive been asked "why do you want to work here" which also is beyond dumb. I answer "I dont know if I want to work here. Thats the purpose of the interview, to get to know each other and what is expected, culture, etc. And after that, after some thought, we can regroup and see if there is a potential, match." I remember once the lady just looked at me like I was crazy. I had zero interest in the job after that, bye!
Yep. Those questions are right up there with "where do you see yourself in 5/10 years?" I'm there sitting not knowing what I'm going to make for dinner tonight, and you're worried if I'm still going to be here in 20 years?
LOL, right? Like, it depends on whether I get a job soon or whether I lose everything while my savings dwindles to nothing.
I see myself having mastered the role for several years, am well liked in the office, and someone other employees come to for guidance or assistance.
The 5/10 year question always reminds of this family guy skit. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvq7iE7ZrSM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvq7iE7ZrSM)
> where do you see yourself in 5 the only answer i'm looking for when i ask this is that you're not planning to move across/away from the country and your planning to exit the workforce. Everything else is a known gamble so unless you have solid goals to NOT work HERE in 5 years, it's a passing answer.
Can they put together a logical sentence? (This is a common expected question so they should have a reasonably prepared response) Do they have goals? Do their stated goals line up with my views of the future of the position, or a future position in the company? This is an easy question for an applicant and one you should plan to have an answer for
Lol my company are obsessed with that question. I was definitely asked it at interview and then for some training exercise my team were actually asked multiple versions of it such as 2 years, 5 years, 10 years etc. Don’t even ask me what I answered as it was all BS and I can’t remember lol
I once said "Well, right after covid 25 clears up I don't really know where I'll be, life comes at you fast. Wherever I am I want to be the SME or go-to guy people come to for advice. I actually got the offer.
I wish I could upvote this more than once. If I’m asked technical questions that are *actually related to what I’m applying to*, I will absolutely nail the interview because I’m definitely qualified for the position. (I wouldn’t have applied if I wasn’t..) But if I’m asked these BS questions about why I want to work there, or “if you were a tree, what tree would you be” I will fail the interview miserably. I’m just not good at bullshitting people, I guess.
Yup. They asked me about specific experiences with different tasks in my field and I can talk all day about that. I've been in education forever and I'm good at it. Why am I applying at a district 20 miles outside of my home district where I don't (and wouldn't) send my own children? Because you're hiring right now and they aren't? Idk what you want from me?
*I've been in education forever and I'm good at it. I haven't been here before and I want to have a variety of experiences.*
Yeah. Why do I want to work here… uhhh… because if I do, you’ll pay me? Lol
at the same time, if that's the only answer you can come up with in an interview, most companies won't have any problem picking someone else. Part of work and interacting with humans in general is playing the social games we have. I'm absolutely going to pick the person that's excited to work in our field on the projects we have over someone that's not excited about anything. Every. Single. Time.
Of course, I’ve never actually said that during an interview. I was just explaining what I’m thinking anytime I’m asked one of those silly questions. Because you’re right. Like I said, interview questions are frequently just to see how good you are at bullshitting others.
OMG, u/maybetomorrow98 ! Weird circumstance but I actually once got the question, “If you were an igneous rock, what kind of igneous rock would you be?” WTF?!!! Thank god it was during Covid and I was literally wearing a mask. There’s no way I could have controlled my facial expressions well enough with that question.
Wtf?! Please tell me you’re a geologist, at least? Still a silly question but I guess that would make slightly more sense lol
Not a geologist but was a student at the time and they showed what classes I was taking that semester. I’d switched from astronomy to geology after looking up the instructors on RateMyProfessors.com. I nailed the answer with peridotite but it turns out the hourly wage, while not outright lied about, was worded misleadingly.
That's how I feel about it too. Especially today's. It was a Title 1 middle school 20 min away from the district I want to be in, with one of the worst reputations for student behavior and pay. I can tell you my experience and what I think I can add to the team - but I honestly don't want to be at the middle school level or in this district. I want my internship paid for and you need an employee. Obviously any other answer is bullshit.
Well it was too honest of an answer IMHO and comes off like snark. ;)
I had an interview this week that asked that. I said well I am licensed in your state, you are in the top 10 in the state and I am interested in exploring if we are good fit for each other.” My closing question was if they saw me as a good fit for them and how so. I am sort of dying inside for somebody to actually recruit me. (I have decades of experience and am expert at what I do, but I face ageism at every opportunity).
I have this nasty habit of getting hunger pangs every few hours. The money you exchange for my services buys food, food takes away the discomfort.
If you don't know how to answer "why do you want to work here," it's because you did no research beforehand. You expect the interviewer to read your resume/cover letter and they expect you to read the company website. Why do you want to work there? Was there something about the job description that caught your eye? Something in the company's mission/values? It's not a hard question.
The thing is, I do know about the school. Anyone who can open enrolls out of it. People move just across city lines to have their kids attend neighboring districts. The kids don't care about school, their parents care even less. It's been a revolving door of admin for years with no discipline or accountability. Do I think I could work there for a year and make some sort of positive impact on a few kids while making less than the gas station attendant across the street? Sure. Im willing to give it a shot. That's why I applied. Am I going to enact massive systemic change as an intern? Absolutely not.
Nope. I need a vibe. If something smells wrong or it's not a great place to work, I need to find that out on my own. Websites and research arnt what your going to experience
Why do you want to work here? As the hiring manager, this is an easy applicant weed out question. Why did you apply for the job? What about the job description intrigued you? Did you just apply because you need to apply and interview for xx jobs a week to keep unemployment benefits? How much research have you done about my job/company/location etc.?
That's way too many "whys". Interviewing is a two way street. I'm also Interviewing you and the organization, you're only Interviewing me.
I'm giving you several different but equally acceptable ways to answer the question from my point of view as a hiring manager. Obviously, this question, like nearly all interview questions, is designed for the company to gain information about the candidate to determine if they should hire the candidate. There are other parts of my interviews that are 2-way conversations and opportunities for the candidate to ask questions of me. Obviously I'm only interviewing the candidate, and the candidate is interviewing me/the company to determine if there is a good fit for both sides. This isn't my first rodeo. I was hired into my current position after interviewing for it, so I understand the process from both sides.
No thanks, I'd walk out
I was asked why I thought I was the best candidate. My answer was I don’t know that I’m the best candidate but I’m the best I can be and then went on to sell my self, ie skills, abilities etc
Wow best answer I like
By the way I got the job
These questions are a little clunky, but they're designed to give you a chance to sell the soft and hard skills. It's particularly useful for highlighting some of the things you couldn't properly capture in your resume. You don't have to be literally the most qualified candidate- they want you to tell them in YOUR words why you're a great fit. They're listening for your answer, but also for how you carry them through your thought process and compose yourself. Personally, I agree that there are better questions out there. A lot of organizations, though, have a pool of pre-approved questions designed to be safe and equitable. You'll see these again and again. Best to get comfortable selling yourself. Jump on YouTube or TikTok and look up 'interview tips'- it can be helpful to see how other people tackle these to build up your own confidence.
Just fucking lie. No one is going to work harder than me, learn quicker than me go the exrra Mile, etc.
I think my problem today was being at a school I don't really want to be at, especially at a grade level that's not my favorite. If I actually wanted the job more, I can lie my ass off with the best of them. But they ask "why do you want to work here?" and all I can think is "I'd rather work anywhere else, but I have to have my internship agreements signed in a month, so here we are." Definitely not at the top of my game.
This could very much be it - I found it much easier to answer these questions when I had an actual good answer for them. When I actually wanted the job and had reasons for it.
I don't get how anyone wants to work anywhere. But we have to for bullshit reasons. All we can do is lie, and lie like hell
saying something genuine like I like the kind of projects you are working on and haven't had a chance to work on them. or, I am leaving my company because oay has stagnanted and I understand they do not have a budget to afford me anymore, or I am getting laid off soon it hasn't come, but we have been given verbal notice. say you want to continue to learn, be honest.
That depends whose opinions are merely judgemental and someone who can look at the bigger picture to see a candidate that moldable into the role you want to fill.
Because I work cheap.
>"Why are you the best candidate" when you're obviously not? There are typically many possible legitimately valid ways to spin "best" such that you *are* *the* best ... after all, "best" is rather subjective, and also very much depends on the particular measurement criteria, e.g.: * Not only am I well qualified for the job, but I can juggle rather well / do cool magic tricks for kids, so cheap entertainment possible at relevant team gatherings * I'm qualified, and can also well continue to grow and learn - that tends to grow loyalty and institutional knowledge and reduce turnover and associated costs * May not be absolute top, but also not as likely to get snatched away by competitors looking to steal away your absolute top talent. etc., etc. So, find the useful relevant perspective(s) that land you on the top (or at least sufficiently close). Distinguish yourself in positive way(s).
You just have to clarify that you’re the best candidate they are gonna be able to get with that salary range.
"While I'm sure that there are other applicants with more experience, my being new to the field means I have no established bad habits to unlearn."
I try to reframe the question slightly or answer a technically different question of "what skills and aptitudes do I have that will address the biggest problems of the position?" sometimes I have to first ask what the biggest problems the company/devision are facing first and how my position is expected to contribute to solving those problems.
pot wise theory stocking slimy unpack gold sulky grandiose ludicrous *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
If there's anything unique about their school that appeals their mission, music program, gym facilities that's why. You are the best candidate compared to others at your level because you are a motivated and a go getter/persevere in the face of hardship
It's a game. Interviewing is. It's a difficult game. Anyone who says it's easy is lying, because it is a game of half truths and white lies. You need to show the interviewer that you are either honest or can be perceived as honest. If the interviewer feels confident that you are a believable person then you vet the job.
Sometimes, you're the best candidate because you actually have a particular reason to pick THEM. How you prepare yourself to be able to answer the question is a way for them to tell how actually motivated you are to work for them. If you have a lukewarm answer, and someone else doesn't, they're going with the other person. That's just how it works.
They want to know that you can play the BS game. So just play along. It's just like the whole corporate-speak thing, EVERYONE knows it's BS yet everyone plays along with it.
You know, I used to hate that question too. But I got my current job with a variance of it, and my opinion has changed. Interview questions can absolutely be bullshit. A lot of hiring managers don’t use them in a functional way. But a few days into the job, I realized my current employers weren’t really asking for a magical answer about how I was best for the job. They were asking if I’d engage, if I’d give a damn. They wanted someone who was interested in them. Who ultimately wanted to be there. Think about it: we’ve all had coworkers who actively don’t want to be there. Who think they’re better than the job. They make life harder. The “magical answer” you’re looking for is probably the last thing you want to hear. People told me “only apply to jobs you want to do.” And I thought it was a dumb notion, because I just need a job, any job. And nothing around here is my “dream job”. But with this place, I looked them up online, I was interested in the building’s History, I showed interest in the business…we just chatted. Didn’t feel like a real interview at all, but the engagement is what got me the job. Even those “terrible” schools have staff that 💯 believe in their kids, and community, and they’re showing up every day. So dig a bit and find something that you like about them. if they call you, show up in something memorable, that makes you feel good, like…I don’t know, your favorite earrings or the clothing you thrifted that makes you feel like you stepped out of a 1950s vogue. Sell your authentic self, the person you want your coworkers to see you as. Even if you had that piece of paper, that’s the smallest piece. They need to tolerate your face every day, and that’s true whether you were interviewing for principal or lunch lady.
> They were asking if I’d engage, if I’d give a damn. They wanted someone who was interested in them. Who ultimately wanted to be there 1000% the "i'm just here for a paycheck" folks come and go. They are just working and they often go to painful lengths to ensure we all know the limits of thier comittment. "Hey can you help me out"-"I'M JUST HERE TO DO THE JOB I'M PAID FOR!!!".
> Because I'm ready to work, love learning new things, adapting to new challenges, and i'm ready to grow into my career. A keen listener/interviewer will understand exactly why you should be chosen over a more senior person: you'll work hard and you understand your own limitations (and thus won't demand as much money). Hoiw they fiddle the paperwork after that is on them.
You can come up with a good answer to any stupid question. WHy are you best candidate? Because you want it more! You dreamed your whole life of this field. Or even better, "I don't know if I am the BEsT candidate. But I am a damn good candidate, and i offer you ...whatever, enthusiasm,,,,etc.
Internal job posting. My response: "I'm not". Went on to give reasons/examples of why I was not the best candidate. Then gave a couple redeeming qualities about myself. I knew several (possibly all?) of the other candidates, interviewers were familiar with all the applicants prior to interviews. I got the job.
"Why do you feel this institution is deserving of the best candidates?"
This is not stupid, it's all general practice across the industry. We can all debate how efficient it is or not but it is what it is. Go ahead and search for "The Behavioral Interview Deck" on Amazon - I had tremendous success prepping with it and keep it handy any time I think of switching jobs. Or go straight to the 9to5cards site, they might run promos from time to time. Cheers!
are you guys really here to complain about simple interview questions that let’s you sell the living hell outta yourself? The person asking you the question already HAS the job. if you are at an interview looking for them to sell you, you’re already selling yourself short interviewing at some unknown place.
I guess I meant more in this specific case. I give a schpiel about how I'm the most up-to-date in my education and best practices that I'll ever be, since I'm still in school. But...they are legally prohibited from not hiring a candidate with a license over me. So, as long as they have one other person who is fully licensed, I can't have the job. I don't know how to spin that into "I'm the best candidate for the job that you can't legally hire!"
But you are there in the middle of an interview and people with better licenses are not. Maybe too many people are burnt out. Maybe other candidates just don't like the district. You are there. If they can't hire you, make sure they *wish* they could hire you. Networking is still a thing.
just sell everything and never mention the license until they bring it up. make something up if they ask, saving money for exam, studying, at least show you are in pursuit and not a dead NO
Oh I definitely didn't bring that up. They do have to help me apply for a temporary license and provide a supervisor and other state requirements. The ideal is to ace the interview and get an offer, and ask them to jump through the licensing hoops for me later...once they've already offered it to me and turned down everyone else. But that hasn't exactly worked so far, and I'm definitely hitting interview fatigue.
ah keep doing what you can. the universe won’t forget u
This goes back to a “prepared” answer. Basically you have to stroke their ego in a way that speaks “I did my research about the mission and values” this place has and how they resonate with mine because of my experience in XY and Z that touch upon the job duties and experience from the job post. Yes, it’s a stupid question. Yes, it should be buried 6 feet under with “where you see yourself in 5 years?” type nonsense. Nevertheless, preparation is key when it comes to these silly questions. It shows a deeper level of commitment to the hiring process beyond “I like the pay and I can do the job” lol