“If you were a musical instrument, which one would you be and why?” “What superhero do you most identify with?” “If you could eat any meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?” “If you had $100 and a day off, what would you do with it?”
We have all heard these questions throughout our search processes at one point or another. Proponents may say they lighten up an interview, or offer candidates a creative way to describe their strengths. As I was entering my job search, I heard some colleagues call them a waste of time. Some would even lose all interest in an institution or position just from an interviewer asking one of these questions.
I always struggled with the notion that such a question is a waste of time. I suppose if it was an interview session conducted entirely in these “fluff” questions, then I would wonder how an interview committee could possibly discern the competent candidates from their candidate pool. If departments are looking for candidates that are able to think outside the box, find creative solutions, and express themselves in new ways, such questions seem to be ideal if not a necessity.
From my perspective in my search, there is very little an institution could do that would waste my time. If I am sitting across the table from a hiring committee, and we are engaging in conversations about my skills and position, then I can think of no more productive way to use my time. Give me a “fluff” question. Let me express myself in a new way that might be less formal. Give us a moment to let the seriousness of the interview subside just a little.
To put this another way, how could I possibly say that this question is a waste of my time? How much is my time really worth? It may take them ten seconds to ask the question, and one could likely provide an answer that takes a couple of minutes to give. If you wanted, you could take a few hours out of your interview prep just to go over a handful of these questions, prepare answers that speak to your strengths, and practice delivering your responses with confidence. All told, that may only be a couple hours out of what has been likely hundreds of hours of interview prep.
What about the payout for a strong answer? The difference between having an entry-level job in the field and living at home with your parents is tremendous! Answering the question leads to an end to your job search, which in turn leads to less stress, greater confidence, increased financial stability, and not having to log in to LinkedIn for at least another 3 years. Any activity that leads to me potentially getting a job is in no way a waste of my time. Turning down a position, and these stated benefits, just for one of these questions does not make much sense to me.
What is a waste of my time? My time is wasted any time an institution knows my fate in their process but does not communicate that with me. To waste my time is to tell me “no” only after somebody else says “yes”. (I am sure there are legal reasons for this, but it can still be frustrating). To waste my time is to have me spend hours and days nervously checking my phone, hoping to see some indication that my job search may be ending soon. (Again, I fully understand that a search process takes time, but nothing was more nerve wracking than expecting a call or email that took an eternity to come.) To waste my time is to have me work month by month in an interim position, suggest that I may hold the position full-time, say I failed to make the first round of interviews but was on top of the second round of candidates because I lacked full-time experience, make me sit on the interview panel while I am still a candidate for the position, have me interview a candidate who has the same kinds of experience that I have, and then ask me “What will you do for money?” when I say I want to quit the position. These are ineffective uses of my time. Answering an interview question in an interview for a job I want? I think I can manage that.
In case you were wondering, I would be a keyboard because of its versatility in mimicking other instruments, Captain America because he is always looking out for what is best in people, pasta because you could have it so many different ways and it would hopefully never get boring, and I would take my lovely fiancé (now wife!) out to a fine dinner and a movie.
Introduction
Context for each of these posts, as well as some necessary disclaimers.
“Finding the Right Fit”: A Fallacy for First Searches
A look at how sometimes you just do not have the time and resources to find the “perfect” job.
“Trust the Process”: Efficiency v. Effectiveness in Job Applications
Searching for efficiency in creating job application materials.
“What is your perfect Sunday?”: Describing Your Needs
The struggle in opperationalizing and communicating your needs as a new professional.
Conclusion
Final thoughts on this project.
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