This frequently asked interview question can be a warning sign

Christian Sutherland-Wong has a few important interview questions. His favorite: What is your dream job?

The simple question gives him insight into the character of potential new hires, says Glassdoor’s CEO. “When people interview me, it’s usually one of the later rounds,” says Sutherland-Wong, who has run the job review website since 2020. “By then (their skills) have been assessed. So I just want to get to know the person.”

Each candidate’s answer could potentially reveal a major red flag: someone who has no goals and aspirations.

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“One answer that might not go down well is if there isn’t a lot of thought put into what they want to do in their career,” says Sutherland-Wong. “If there isn’t a lot of energy in their answer, I want to investigate further and find out if this is the right person.”

Answers like “I’m not sure,” “I haven’t really thought about it,” or “I just want a job that pays me well” can indicate a lack of determination or desire to pursue a career.

“We want people with big ambitions (and) big dreams,” Sutherland-Wong said.

Sutherland-Wong isn’t the only HR manager asking the dream job question, so there’s a good chance you’ll be faced with it one day. If you can’t find a good answer, remember to highlight the job you’re applying for, says LinkedIn career expert Andrew McCaskill.

“The best answers to questions about your dream job should show how your current role will help you achieve that dream,” says McCaskill, who has been a vice president for companies like Weber Shandwick and Nielsen. “A common mistake candidates make when looking for a job is giving the impression that they only want ‘a’ job and not ‘that’ job. Enthusiasm for the job that’s on the table is important.”

If your dream job is at a different company or in a different industry, you can still frame your answer in a way that relates to the position at hand. Try saying something like: “Ultimately, my dream job is one that allows me to use (key competencies) to make a significant impact and take on (key responsibilities). Your company’s mission (specific values ​​of the company) fits perfectly with this.”

Telling the hiring manager directly that this role doesn’t fit your future goals could result in you losing the opportunity.

“You don’t tell a CMO interviewing you for a marketing job that your dream job is in corporate finance,” says McCaskill. “The interviewer may appreciate your transparency, but they will most likely allow you to do this calculation and soul-searching on someone else’s payroll.”

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