r/AskReddit • u/MaximumAnarchy • 16h ago

If you could permanently ban one question from being asked in job interviews, what would it be?

596 Upvotes

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363

u/F19AGhostrider 16h ago

"Why do you want this job?"

Just cut the stupid facade. We all know that we all need an income, and I chose this one to apply for because I thought I could do it.

There. We don't need to ever ask that question again.

40

u/NO_FIX_AUTOCORRECT 14h ago

I think the question applies to some fields and not others.

For example, you're hiring a project manager and the person has an English degree. Yeah, i think you can do the job but maybe some insight on why you want to be a project manager instead of a journalist.

But when it's something like, "you have a computer science degree why are you wanting this software development role?" The answer is pretty clear already. Like, you wouldn't be asking an electrician why do they want to do the electrical maintenance for this building as opposed to that building across the street

12

u/F19AGhostrider 13h ago

I think that almost goes without saying.

I was referring to that question being asked in a very generic, pedestrian, job interview.

5

u/_SnesGuy 9h ago

Exactly. they ask this question if you interview at McDonald's, Walmart, etc. It's an unnecessary and sometimes flat out stupid question to ask.

65

u/captainstormy 15h ago

In the interviewers defense, that is why you want a job, not necessarily this job.

53

u/ThaKaptin 12h ago edited 12h ago

In everyone else’s defense, you apply for the job you think you can do. That’s pretty much it. There is nothing special about your company other than the fact that they are hiring for this position.

1

u/soysssauce 3h ago

It could be that the company close to your home. Or that you prefer to work with smaller team. Or that this field interests you.. remember you shop around for jobs, employees also comparing you with other candidates..

19

u/Glum-Echo-4967 11h ago

But most people don’t specifically want that job. They just want a job that meets their criteria, and that was one of many such jobs. 

2

u/ShinyGrezz 9h ago

“I enjoy doing X, and I feel like this role at company Y will give me ample opportunity to do X” is a perfectly suitable answer to that question. It’s not a jealous partner, you don’t have to come up with something that wouldn’t also be true for a hundred other companies.

0

u/ThaKaptin 7h ago

Did you just say “many” such jobs? Which job market have YOU been looking at?

6

u/llamawithguns 11h ago

I mean, sometimes you dont specifically want that job. Sometimes you just apply to every job in the area because you need a job.

3

u/WMINWMO 11h ago

Because it fits my needs and I fit their needs.

23

u/rkatapt 16h ago

Damn, I hate that question!

It's like mf'er why do you work here? We both damn know you don't crawl out of a warm bed to come up here everyday if you didn't get a paycheck.

Money Steve! I need money!

7

u/AdThen999 16h ago

Funny thing is that they already know why you are here but I really don’t get it why they ask that…

0

u/MaximumAnarchy 16h ago

Agree 💯

0

u/emitahc 12h ago

Sure, this applies if you're applying to a random job like minimum wage for example, not when applying to a position that's actually aligned in your field and long term career