'Have you applied to any other companies too?'

Laughing with Me

This is the one question that pisses me off. It's none of their bloody business, and isn't that what most people being interviewed feel like telling them? I previously came to the conclusion that the best way of answering such a question was to say "of course I have; I'm a young man trying to start a career". But perhaps you could just as easily say "no comment".

If I were interviewing someone, I'd be quite impressed if somebody could stand true to their own principles, and politely refuse to answer... as long as they did so in a way that didn't come across as awkward. It's sort of like a way of saying "I don't need this job, I'm not desperate". So if the interviewee could maintain their frame while answering like so, it would actually help them retain a bit of mystery and dignity. But it's unfortunate how many people let their guard down in interviews.

This question is completely irrelevant, and is just just a way of using the interviewee in order to find out more about their competitor companies. They know full well that the interviewee will think that if they reveal about they're other applications, that he/she will some how feel disloyal to the interviewer... especially if it's just after they've had to pretend that they think that company's values are the best!

Perhaps some interviewers view all candidates as inferior, and therefore would view such an answer as defiant. Because if you unintentionally end up making the interviewer look stupid then you know you won't get hired. I was asked my age in a recent interview for a well known company, and when I refused to answer, it made things a bit awkward.

smellyoldboot

No. You're Special. I didn't even know there WERE other companies.

28064212

Or maybe the purpose of the question is to see how an interviewee deals with an awkward question?

HelloPeeps

If its followed by 'what other companies?' they could be trying to understand where you see yourself fitting and what kind or company culture you are looking for - are the other companies similar in scale (big multinationals v start-ups) or sector or ethos (public v private v non--profit). Or are you just applying for all jobs that you qualified for.

If you answered with a list of what they saw as their peer companies, I presume that would show your interest in and knowledge of a particular sector.

callaway92

28064212 wrote: »

Or maybe the purpose of the question is to see how an interviewee deals with an awkward question?

Ah yes...that classic. The interviewer is some shrewed individual. :rolleyes:

There's no trick to that question. It's just a dumb one.

Laughing with Me

28064212 wrote: »

Or maybe the purpose of the question is to see how an interviewee deals with an awkward question?

Well then what do you think of the way I suggest dealing with it? How would you deal with it?

Foweva Awone

It's a ridiculous question. Of course you are applying to other companies, you'd be an eejit not to.

I guess my answer would be along the lines of, "While I am in contact with a few other companies, this role is of particular interest to me because bla bla bla"... Internally I'd be registering it as a mark against the interviewer though.

Coopaloop

Last time I had an interview I was asked this question, I just answered yes, I've had a few different interviews, but I want to see what other companies have to offer. I always view an interview as much for you as for them....ie your half interviewing them in terms of benefits, salary, roll (obviously this works if you're not desperate for a job and have the luxury of approaching jobs this way) for me I was very specific in the type of job I wanted, and the salary I wanted too. This wont work for every job.

Laughing with Me

HelloPeeps wrote: »

If its followed by 'what other companies?' they could be trying to understand where you see yourself fitting and what kind or company culture you are looking for - are the other companies similar in scale (big multinationals v start-ups) or sector or ethos (public v private v non--profit). Or are you just applying for all jobs that you qualified for.

If you answered with a list of what they saw as their peer companies, I presume that would show your interest in and knowledge of a particular sector.

Ahh! So perhaps I could misinterpret the question and answer the question I'm comfortable with. It's something politicians do.

screamer

It’s a great question.... it gives you the opportunity to say yes I am, and add in that you’re in for second round interviews in the next day or 2 with some of them. Make it look like you’ve plenty of opportunity, not that you’re desperate for this particular company to hire you.

Oh and don’t divulge the other companies either, tell them you’d rather not say. You don’t owe them that info and you’d be surprised how small a lot of the Industries are, keep them guessing.

Tony EH

Interviews are bullshit, carried out by **** who think they're some sort of amateur psychologists.

screamer

Tony EH wrote: »

Interviews are bullshit, carried out by **** who think they're some sort of amateur psychologists.

Well if you have any better ideas for recruitment, let us hear them.
You’d be surprised what people say at interviews, you can’t replace that face to face conversation with a phone call.

"No, I've long been a fan of your company and that product you make so working for you would be a dream come true. If unfortunately I am unsuccessful I will apply to other companies".

Tony EH

screamer wrote: »

Well if you have any better ideas for recruitment, let us hear them.
You’d be surprised what people say at interviews, you can’t replace that face to face conversation with a phone call.

I didn't say they were unnecessary.

But the way they're carried out is usually a load of baloney.

An interview should be straightforward questions to do with the position. None of these "test" questions really yield any usable data. A lot of them are just nonsense. I've been on both sides of the table and you get the best results when you're straight.

Most normal positions don't need questions like "How do you see your first day?"

That's just a load of bollocks.

Augme

It's a pretty good question from an interviewers point of view and does help you gain more information on the candidate and could provide a bit more on a insight to their mentality and attitude.

Interviews aren't scientific and never will be.

pinktoe

Off course I've applied to other companies. If I want to buy a car do I just go into to the first garage I see and buy something that might suit me but isn't really me? Do I date the first woman I see or buy the first piece of clothing I see? Absolutely not. A career is like everything else, I will evaluate what's on offer here and with your competitors and see who has a better future and who can offer my career the best opportunities and experience.

LollipopJimmy

Generally I will ask candidates if they are in any other processes, specifically are they at advanced stages, I would never press it further than that and the reason is to find out how quickly we would need to move on a particular candidate, ideally we always move as quickly as possible but sometimes scheduling can be tough.

Grassey

I've answered with "No, as I'm under no pressure to leave my current role, I've the luxury of applying for specific roles in companies I'd be interested in working for."

Response to that was positive.

Tony EH

Augme wrote: »

It's a pretty good question from an interviewers point of view and does help you gain more information on the candidate and could provide a bit more on a insight to their mentality and attitude.

Interviews aren't scientific and never will be.

It doesn't really provide anything solid though, because the genuine answer to that question is "I don't know".

Because how could they know. However, that answer is the "wrong" one. But in reality, it's really the only honest answer an interviewee could give.

It may be of some slight use if someone is merely switching companies to the same role. But, even then most companies have very different procedures and approaches.

But, in general, there's far too much bullshittery in job interviews these days that puts the interviewee at a discomfort and often turns them into involuntary spoofers because they don't want to get any "wrong" answers.

The classic "why do you want this job" has to be one of the most useless interview questions ever.

Augme

Tony EH wrote: »

It doesn't really provide anything solid though, because the genuine answer to that question is "I don't know".

Because how could they know. However, that answer is the "wrong" one. But in reality, it's really the only honest answer an interviewee could give.

It may be of some slight use if someone is merely switching companies to the same role. But, even then most companies have very different procedures and approaches.

But, in general, there's far too much bullshittery in job interviews these days that puts the interviewee at a discomfort and often turns them into involuntary spoofers because they don't want to get any "wrong" answers.

The classic "why do you want this job" has to be one of the most useless interview questions ever.

I'm not sure I get what you mean in the first two paragraphs. How could a candidate not know if they have applied for a position in another company?

Tony EH

Augme wrote: »

I'm not sure I get what you mean in the first two paragraphs. How could a candidate not know if they have applied for a position in another company?

They wouldn't know what their first day is going to be like.

I've have numerous jobs and even the same roles have had vastly different first days.

It's a nonsensical question that forces the interviewee to talk nonsense, rather than just being honest and saying "How could I know? I've never worked here before."

Laughing with Me

LollipopJimmy wrote: »

Generally I will ask candidates if they are in any other processes, specifically are they at advanced stages, I would never press it further than that and the reason is to find out how quickly we would need to move on a particular candidate, ideally we always move as quickly as possible but sometimes scheduling can be tough.

But how would you feel about such an answer?

Laughing with Me

pinktoe wrote: »

Off course I've applied to other companies. If I want to buy a car do I just go into to the first garage I see and buy something that might suit me but isn't really me? Do I date the first woman I see or buy the first piece of clothing I see? Absolutely not. A career is like everything else, I will evaluate what's on offer here and with your competitors and see who has a better future and who can offer my career the best opportunities and experience.

We all know what the answer to the question is. That's not what the thread is about. It's about whether or not you think it is appropriate to refuse to answer? I mean what if someone asked you if you'd taken a number 2 yesterday? Would you just answer?

Rodney Bathgate

No, I have all my eggs in one basket.

Jim2007

Tony EH wrote: »

Interviews are bullshit, carried out by **** who think they're some sort of amateur psychologists.

I can see how you would see it that....

the_amazing_raisin

Best answer:

"Yes, I've actually had several interviews which have gone well and they've said they'll be in touch soon"

In other words, if you want to hire me then better hurry up and not keep me waiting for 3 weeks.

Also, it makes salary negotiations much easier if you can start a bidding war

Saint_Mel

Its a pretty simple and straight forward question. Its either Yes or No.
No need to over think it!

Thargor

They're basically inviting you to stroke their egos and say yes Im in the process of interviewing with competitor x, y and z for <name a few roles> but I've had my eye on this position for a while because of the experience it offers and what a good fit and it would be by far my first choice in the event of multiple offers blah blah blah.

It's the easiest softball you'll get and it always comes at the end and let's you leave a good last impression and salvage any awkwardness or impressions of a lack of enthusiasm for the role up to then, you can get offended or make an arse of yourself saying no comment or none of your business but you'll just have wasted your time and have to go home and apply for other jobs that will just ask you the same question anyway.

I think this question actually got me my current job because it was my third time interviewing with the company over the years and I finished it with 'as you can probably tell by all the previous interviews' and they laughed and liked that a lot.

Sonics2k

Saint_Mel wrote: »

Its a pretty simple and straight forward question. Its either Yes or No.
No need to over think it!

I remember in previous jobs when conducting interviews I've had to ask that question, and I can see the crazy amount of discomfort in cause in people. After chatting to friends about it, a lot of of them would have the view that if they say "Yes", that it may count against them in case it looks like they're not committed to the position.

To me, both as someone who interviews and has been interviewed, it's a bloody stupid question. Typically speaking, especially during a recession, people will apply to a metric crap tonne of jobs. Hell, I've applied for so many damn jobs lately it's actually hard to keep track of them.

bucketybuck

Sonics2k wrote: »

I remember in previous jobs when conducting interviews I've had to ask that question, and I can see the crazy amount of discomfort in cause in people.

If such a simple and easy question is causing discomfort then the interviewer should find that interesting, if they can't spit out an answer to a softball question like that then they must get rattled very easily.

Laughing with Me

Sonics2k wrote: »

To me, both as someone who interviews and has been interviewed, it's a bloody stupid question.

But have you asked it?

Sonics2k

Laughing with Me wrote: »

But have you asked it?

Probably in my earliest days of doing interviews yes. As time went on I stopped asking it. Largely because when I've offered people a particular role, they've accepted it. Most jobs I worked in involved several stages of interviews so that would pretty much show if they were actually interested in the job.

pwurple

No comment in my book would be a large mark down, as it shows a complete failure to even understand what an interview is for. It's needlessly defensive, but moreso, it also completely closes the conversation down.

There are two perfectly good answers, either


1) yes, at this point in my career I'm looking for growth and the role that suits me best. I'm looking at other roles also, in the same sector. This one in particular appealed to me because blah blah blah.. or, can I ask you about this portion of the spec.... which then puts the effort back on me to make sure I've set your expectations correctly as to what this role is about
2) no, this role in particular interested me for xxx reasons, then you open into why you are a good fit.


Interview questions are always conversation topic openers. You should have prepared a heap of stuff you want to tell them about. These questions are to allow you to get your prepared spiels laid out.

Aleece2020

Sonics2k wrote: »

Typically speaking, especially during a recession, people will apply to a metric crap tonne of jobs. Hell, I've applied for so many damn jobs lately it's actually hard to keep track of them.

That's very true. I have applied to more jobs than I care to count at this stage. I only very recently started getting invited to a few interviews (thank Christ) and have been asked this question once or twice now.

Based on my experience, you don't get points for being honest. Usually better to tell them what they want to hear rather than what is necessarily the reality of the situation if you want a hope in hell of getting a second interview. I'm not endorsing lying about your ability to do the job but when you're in an interview then that company is 100% your top choice (even if they're not) and you should have a couple of reasons why they are prepared in advance.

Tony EH

bucketybuck wrote: »

If such a simple and easy question is causing discomfort then the interviewer should find that interesting, if they can't spit out an answer to a softball question like that then they must get rattled very easily.

It causes discomfort because it's a dumb question and the interviewee doesn't want to answer it "wrong". It's perfectly natural to experience discomfort when you have a lot riding on something and somebody asks you a stupid question.

The obvious answer for 99% of job seekers is "yes" (and in their head, "of course I fucking am").

But that can be the "wrong" answer.

It's the type of interview questions that just throws people, because it's so stupid.

But at the end of the day, what's the point? You don't get anything out of anyone by making them feel uncomfortable.

Jim2007

pwurple wrote: »

No comment in my book would be a large mark down, as it shows a complete failure to even understand what an interview is for.

Would it every strike you that answering that questing would be the big markdown?

Demonstrating that you are willing to discussion someone else's business with a complete stranger is not necessarily what you want in an employee, especially in the are of law and finance.

Tony EH

Aleece2020 wrote: »

Based on my experience, you don't get points for being honest. Usually better to tell them what they want to hear

And that, right there, is the problem with job interviews.

It turns the interviewer into a gobshite and the interviewee into a liar.

Augme

Tony EH wrote: »

They wouldn't know what their first day is going to be like.

I've have numerous jobs and even the same roles have had vastly different first days.

It's a nonsensical question that forces the interviewee to talk nonsense, rather than just being honest and saying "How could I know? I've never worked here before."

But no one has asked them what their first day is going to be like....

They have asked them if they have applied for other positions.

I can't imagine any candidate coming out looking positively I t he following situation

Interviewer: how you applied for any positions in other companies?
Candidate: I don't know.
Interviewer: eh....

Iscreamkone

isn't this the same question as - "are you interviewing any other candidates?"?

bucketybuck

Tony EH wrote: »

It causes discomfort because it's a dumb question and the interviewee doesn't want to answer it "wrong". It's perfectly natural to experience discomfort when you have a lot riding on something and somebody asks you a stupid question.

The obvious answer for 99% of job seekers is "yes" (and in their head, "of course I fucking am").

But that can be the "wrong" answer.

It's the type of interview questions that just throws people, because it's so stupid.

But at the end of the day, what's the point? You don't get anything out of anyone by making them feel uncomfortable.

To be honest, I think you clearly have a chip on your shoulder about interviews for some reason, but don't really understand what they are actually about.

Showing visible discomfort because you think an easy question like that is "stupid" says a hell of a lot about the candidate if you ask me, they would be well served getting a bit of perspective on things.

Tony EH

bucketybuck wrote: »

To be honest, I think you clearly have a chip on your shoulder about interviews for some reason, but don't really understand what they are actually about.

Showing visible discomfort because you think an easy question like that is "stupid" says a hell of a lot about the candidate if you ask me, they would be well served getting a bit of perspective on things.

I have been both interviewed and have carried out interviews. I know exactly what they are about, which is why I think unnecessary and silly questions yield no valid or usable data.

The major issue with the modern job interview is that it has moved away from a series of questions to determine whether a candidate can do a job to a situation that's akin to a bogus pseudo psychology examination where there are "right" and "wrong" answers.

Tony EH

Augme wrote: »

But no one has asked them what their first day is going to be like....

They have asked them if they have applied for other positions.

I can't imagine any candidate coming out looking positively I t he following situation

Interviewer: how you applied for any positions in other companies?
Candidate: I don't know.
Interviewer: eh....

Fine. I thought you were replying to my post with you post at #15

However, you were addressing the OP.

Augme

Tony EH wrote: »

Fine. I thought you were replying to my post with you post at #15

However, you were addressing the OP.

Ah I see what you mean. That makes a lot more sense alright. Yep, was addressing the OP.

bucketybuck

Tony EH wrote: »

I have been both interviewed and have carried out interviews. I know exactly what they are about, which is why I think unnecessary and silly questions yield no valid or usable data.

The major issue with the modern job interview is that it has moved away from a series of questions to determine whether a candidate can do a job to a situation that's akin to a bogus pseudo psychology examination where there are "right" and "wrong" answers.

There are no stupid questions in an interview, if I have less than an hour to make a judgement on some guy I have never met before then anything he says whatsoever is information that will inform my judgement. Interview questions aren't stupid because what they are doesn't actually matter, their purpose is simply to get dialogue going. A candidate deciding that one question or another is stupid has missed the whole point of the exercise.

As for your last paragraph, like I said, a big chip on your shoulder. I interview people regularly, that makes them modern interviews and I would safely say that my type of interview is far more common than the psychology exam you seem to think interviews are.

Tony EH

bucketybuck wrote: »

There are no stupid questions in an interview

We'll just have to differ on that.

KeithTS

I think some people here are putting too much emphasis on these make believe tricks interviewers are playing on them.

The person interviewing you most likely picked up your CV 5 minutes before the interview and is reading it in front of you, for the second time perhaps. Before the interview they probably had a coffee and a s*** and afterwards they'll probably run to their desk and do some actual work. Interviews are a part of my day which distract me from my actual role, I don't obsess over certain questions and I certainly don't have some special insight into the human condition.

Some examples for possibly asking questions like this (although I don't think I ever have asked this one):
1 - If you're applying for everything going, you may be desperate to move from where you are, then I can offer slightly lower.

2 - I may feel bad that I'm going to reject you and personally, I would feel less bad knowing that you have other opportunities as I liked you and want you to succeed, just not in my company.

3 - If I think you're quite good and I'm thinking of making an offer, I may see if there are other things in the works for you. It may speed up my decision making or I may offer slightly more to entice you to drop the other options you have lined up.

4 - I may want to schedule a follow up and want to know what your availability is like. Getting time off work for interviews is easy enough, just pull a sicky, take a days leave, kill a grandparent or whatever, but, if you have 5 different things lined up it becomes obvious to your employer. I may say to myself, they're interviewing a lot, I'll offer the follow up over the phone or outside hours to help them out and make it less awkward.

I have never asked or been asked (to my knowledge) some nefarious question with hidden meanings in any interview and I have been interviewed and have interviewed a lot. Most questions in interviews do not have right or wrong answers. Pay as much attention to the context as to the actual question.

For me, when I interview people for technical and non-technical roles, personality is the main thing I'm looking at. I'll expect certain competencies but I will nearly always take someone less technically capable who's sound over a mega-genius who would be a pain to work with. I can teach you technical things, I can't turn you into a nicer person.

If you have other interviews lined up, who cares? There are of course exceptions to this but generally, people want to work with people they like, these types of questions can just be ways of opening a conversation to see what you're like too.

Laughing with Me

Jim2007 wrote: »

Would it every strike you that answering that questing would be the big markdown?

Demonstrating that you are willing to discussion someone else's business with a complete stranger is not necessarily what you want in an employee, especially in the are of law and finance.

That's just what I wanted to hear! I think that if you already did brilliantly with every other question then you could afford to decline to answer. And then again, it all depends on the interviewer in question.

sunshine2018

Tony EH wrote: »

I have been both interviewed and have carried out interviews. I know exactly what they are about, which is why I think unnecessary and silly questions yield no valid or usable data.

The major issue with the modern job interview is that it has moved away from a series of questions to determine whether a candidate can do a job to a situation that's akin to a bogus pseudo psychology examination where there are "right" and "wrong" answers.

But it’s more than just ability to technically do the job - culture fit is important too as is the desire of the candidate to do the job. I may have the technical know how to be an accountant but I’d much rather do it at say google than a law firm. Unless you ask the ‘softer ‘ questions you might have someone who can do the job but the company is not the right fit for them

TuringBot47

KeithTS wrote: »

I think some people here are putting too much emphasis on these make believe tricks interviewers are playing on them.

Yeah there seems to be a lot of resentment in the thread too.
Depending on the sector you're in, there may be a technical interview and a HR interview.

My reading on the "Are you applying anywhere else" is to see if you genuinely want to work here. For example Google have a ridiculously long selection process.
If someone applied to them there's a concern that they take any job for a couple of months wages while the Google application is going through, then quits when they get it. It has happened.

But usually that question is a good sign if you think the interview went well as the interviewer is working out the urgency in getting back to you.

JustAThought

If the interviewer is taking months with endless delays and requirements and multiple group and other interviews and then thinks they can delay further it says a lot about how they respect
you. Adding another layer of delays and obfustication on top will ensure the candidate hedges their bets and apply and interview elsewhere.