An author who specialises in how to interview well for jobs has shared exactly what to say when asked a very specific question – but people aren't convinced.
It’s always important to remember when going into a job interview that, as much as the employer is trying to gauge if you’re a good fit for the role, you are checking them out too.
One area that often stumps people is when talk turns to whether or not you’ve applied for any other companies. It might seem like the right approach is to tell them that they’re the only place – even if this is not true – but an interviewing expert has shared that this isn’t the best course of action.
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Anna Papalia, an author and public speaker, regularly shares advice on TikTok about how best to conduct yourself when applying for jobs. She told her one million followers: "When you’re asked in an interview, 'Are you actively interviewing?' or, 'Are you interviewing anywhere else?', there is only one thing to say."
She went on: “There is only one good answer to this question. This is the most important concept when it comes to job interviews so if you forget everything else I’ve ever taught you I want you to remember this one thing. The less you want it the more they want you.
“If in a job interview, you act as though you’re desperate and you need this job and you want this position, it’s going to pull them back a little bit. I can’t explain it, it’s humans, right? We want what we can’t have. So the next time someone asks you ‘are you actively interviewing, are you interviewing anywhere else?’ You say ‘yes, I am actively interviewing’. And when they ask where, you say ‘I would prefer to keep that confidential’.
She added in the comments: “If you’re in final rounds with another company or multiple companies, you should let that be known in the interview process. Because the principle of scarcity applies. The less your skill set is available the higher the salary you can demand. Pro tip, have a skill set that is unique and desirable if you want to get the best offer and whatever you do keep all your options open until you sign that offer letter.”
People in the comments were quick to comment with their own thoughts, with many insisting they didn’t agree with Anna’s advice. One user share: “My fav is: 'No, I’m happy with my current position. I love what I do & my team. When I saw this opening, I thought my skills matched & it was worth exploring if it’s a good fit both.'"
Another user wrote: "Have hired dozens of people over the years. If a candidate appears lukewarm about a position, that’s a red flag." And someone else penned: "As a recruiter, the more a person seems to want the job, the more we give them the attention if they have the skillset and attitude."
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