Describe what you are looking for in your next job

Talking about how to describe what you are looking for in your next job, it is important to note that employers want to hire people who have goals and motivation for their careers.  No employer wants to hire someone who is just looking for the first job they can find, or whatever job they can get.

  They’d rather find someone with specific reasons for wanting to get a job – because from their point of view, that person would be more enthusiastic and interested in the work … and more likely to stay in the long term!

  And if they ask a variation in this question, it mentions challenges … like, “What challenges are you looking for in a job?” This is a clear sign that they want someone who is passionate and eager to grow their career.

  Some companies do not pay much attention to this matter; they just want to hire someone who can meet their immediate needs and get the job done.  But when a company asks a question like the example above, it is not that type of company.  They want to find someone they can promote and help grow in the organization.

  When you are asked this question during an interview, it’s impossible not to feel like a trap.  What other answer could you give, “What are you looking for in a new position?”  Other than “Whatever this person has to offer?”

  Well, it depends on the hiring manager’s sense of humor, but overall, this is probably not your best choice.  To play it safer and to be accurate, follow these four steps.  Remember, you want to be honest, but diplomatic.

How do you answer what are you looking for in your next job?

  When asked “What are you looking for in your next job?”  During the interview, you will need to tailor your answer to fit the role requirements and company culture of the company you are applying to, while still including an accurate description of what you are actually looking for on the job.

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  With this type of question, the interviewer tries to figure out if you would be a suitable fit for both the position and the company.  They will assess whether you will fit in with the culture and the team and whether you are interested in the actual job itself.

  You should describe the type of company culture you want to work in and ensure that it matches the culture of the company you are interviewing for.  This will help the interviewer understand that you will fit into their culture.

  What does your interviewers really want to know when they tell you to describe what you are looking for in your next job?

  The interviewer wants to know if your goals match the company.  Your answer also allows the interviewer to see if your skills and interests make you a good candidate for the job you are doing.

  They may also try to determine if you will be a good fit for the company in the long run.  Are you looking for an opportunity to grow with an organization – or will your plans take you to another employer soon?  For example, if you are a registered nurse, and interviewing at an institution that needs nurse directors but does not employ many practicing nurses, tell the hiring manager that you hope to use the continuing education benefit in order to return to school because your NP will not be well received.

  What you shouldn’t answer when asked to describe what you are looking for in your next job

  Try to avoid answers that might make you seem unprofessional.  Keep your answers direct, neutral to the job position and motivational.  You don’t want to answer something that makes it seem like you carried emotional burdens from your previous job.  For example, don’t say something like, “Well, at my last job I didn’t get any freedom and that’s really smelly, so I want freedom.”  This type of answer does not turn out well for a number of reasons.  Try to keep her focus on future opportunities.

  How do you describe what you are looking for in your next job?

·         Start with your skills

  The question is about you, but you should think about it from the hiring manager’s perspective.  Sure, you’ll want to pay your new job very well, have easy commutes, and guaranteed access to nap rooms during all business hours, but that won’t impress anyone.  Instead, dive into your skills – an area a hiring manager is sure to take care of – and talk about how you’re looking for a place you can use them.

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·         Explain your motivations

  Most hiring managers hope that the motivation behind their hiring person is more than just a salary.  Calm this anxiety by honestly addressing it.  Describe what motivates you and how you can see it happening in this position or company.

·         Communicate your long-term goals

  Employing people means investing in them, and no one likes to see his or her investment come out the door.  If it matches the flow of your answer, it might be a good idea to mention how you see how you grow or build your career in a suitable company.  Anything that indicates that you have been at it for a long time is a good thing (unless, of course, you are specifically applying to a short term position).

·         Conclude with something about the company

  Focus back on the company as you finish your response.  Depending on the length of your answer, it might make sense to summarize everything you’ve talked about, and then finish talking about how passionate you are about the company and why.

Bottom Line: It is imperative that you consider how the company or hiring manager will interpret your answers.  Try to think about it from an emotional point of view.  I don’t encourage you to lie to the hiring manager and say answers that you know you will appreciate.  List the qualities you want from the job and practice trying to express them in a simple way that relates to almost anyone.  Make sure to remove any emotional component that might be dominant in the answer as well.

 This means, for example, that you were fired from your last site; don’t go into the answer saying you want to terminate your service for 6 months.  You must make sure that you think about the characteristics of the environment in a way that is compatible with their environment as well as with yourself.  And where the network and the combination of these two areas are the ideal places for you to present your answer.

  Your answer will change depending on the situation.  You can focus on more than one skill or skip the part where you talk about your long-term goals, but the overall structure will likely remain the same.  The main thing to remember about this question is, of course, to answer honestly, but with the hiring manager’s perspective in mind.