Poll of the Day > When applying for work, is it advisable to apply if you cannot answer the

(+) Yeah! (+)

I have a job interview lined up for a position that I am qualified for but not exactly crazy about. It's a job working as an entry-level statistician position for the government. I expect the lot will expect me to stay at the company in the long-term. It's not exactly a throw-away job. At the same time, I always have half a mind to fly out of this state; in this respect, I am a flight risk. More importantly, I do not have an active interest in probability and statistics, which will be the central core about which this position is based. The subject bores me to be honest, frankly. I'm not crazy about crunching numbers, especially with a calculator or computer programs. Sure, I have experience doing it in a clerical office setting, but it does not change my inherent lack of interest in the activity. At the same time, I do not really have an active interest in anything nowadays. Earlier today, I tried to rehearse my answer to this question, failed, and then wound up drafting an answer to the question pertaining to why I do not want the position, which was a task I found much easier than the initial one I had posed to myself. In short, I have half a mind to cancel the interview on the sole basis that I am not interested; but at the same time, I have trouble finding work because of my inability to drive, lack of skills, and no career prospects whatsoever. I am more than aware that I am being petty and may come off as spoiled at the mo', that I do not deserve the position, will likely not get it as a result, and that I have little choice in the matter in the respect of finding work. But at the same time, it seems like a waste to cancel the interview. Honestly, I did not expect the lot to schedule an interview, being as unqualified as I am. Then again, the minimum qualifications for this position was merely college credit in advanced statistics and nothing else. I do not know why I had bothered taking the subject at the time, and I would appreciate it if you lot did not question this decision. I regret my college career enough as it is. So if I cannot answer this question honestly, should I bother applying for what seems to be a permanent, full-time position? If yes, how would I even answer it?

I must have these answers.
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You can always be dishonest or just quit being weird and say you want the job because you could use the income right now

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Why did you bother taking advanced statistics?

Yes, though as you can tell it makes things more difficult.

I mean...what is your actual degree in? You said you qualify for this job, so if it is Statistics....what were you expecting? If it's something else...you could always take this job then springboard from it in about a year to some other government job.

Maybe you'll like it, who knows?

I used to think I wanted to work on stuff that was interesting, but now I find that what matters more is quality of life w/ my job (short/easy commute; nice boss and co-workers; having my own office; flexibility in when I can take my lunch break, vacations, telework from home occasionally, etc...)

no

practice interview questions. you're just wasting your time and theirs if you can't that question since you have no chance of getting hired

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Mead posted...

You can always be dishonest or just quit being weird and say you want the job because you could use the income right now

yeah i mean don't they hate that when you tell the truth and say it's about money? geez, but why do you have to lie?

I mean you have a reason, even if it's just money, and if it's just money, answer it honestly but in a way that makes them laugh etc.....like, well, I need a job and this is one I won't hate that pays the bills etc.

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You know, I am starting to see that this question is slightly pointless. It's not like it would be very courteous to cancel, seeing as the date's been made already.

streamofthesky posted...

degree

Mathematics.

streamofthesky posted...

I used to think I wanted to work on stuff that was interesting, but now I find that what matters more is quality of life w/ my job (short/easy commute; nice boss and co-workers; having my own office; flexibility in when I can take my lunch break, vacations, telework from home occasionally, etc...)

Huh, I had not thought of it that way.
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Take some time to research the company/position to figure out an answer to the question. If you really can't come up with a reason that you want to work there, then you probably shouldn't be applying anyway regardless of what that does to your chances of getting the job. Apply for jobs that are in line with your skill set and/or interests, not ones that you have no reason to apply for.

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Answering this question would prove you're interested in working for the company. If you don't answer it then I don't see the point in applying. Someone who is actually interested in the company would get the job over you.

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I personally wouldn't. It gives the impression that you haven't thought about what the job required or how you would be right for it. Your interviewer and potential employer may not want to hire you if he or she thinks you're that indecisive.

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Just tell them you struggle with basic formatting and paragraphs, should get you out of the job pretty easily.

you really need to familiarize yourself with the enter key

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Just say that you're looking for a job opportunity to grow and get paid. They're not usually expecting some grand answer

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