Query:
I have had several interviewers ask me if I applied to any other jobs. What type of answer should I give them?
Answer:
It is a famous marketing fact that scarcity makes things appear more desirable. If you have ever watched an infomercial where the spokesman claims “Restricted to the 1st 500 customers,” that is an instance of the company utilizing scarcity as a marketing tactic. It is not in any industry’s best interest to really limit the figure of products people can purchase, but companies need you to consider that supply is restricted so that you are tempted to “act now.”
When an interviewer inquires you if you have applied to any other jobs, or if you have any other offers, you do need to be honest, and you do need to give them with an answer.
Why?
First instinct is to offer the industry a canned answer, like “you are the mere job I have applied to.” No interviewers will consider that unless you have reason to just apply to the 1 job, like when a friend suggests you for the post and you already have a present job.
You rather need to give the employer a real answer, elaborating that you have other chances in order to offer the employer the feeling of value and scarcity. You need them to consider that they have to hire you now or they may lose you to another company.
How to Answer
Any answer you give should be calm and collected. If you are presently in the running for another job, you can highlight that to the interviewer. If you don’t presently have any other prospects but you have applied to other jobs, then you should provide the employer instances of 1 or 2 jobs you have also applied to. Make certain the jobs are related to the post you are applying for (particularly if you applied to competitors) and you can only make better your case for the job.
Take Away Interview Tips
- Make yourself seem desirable.