Weird interview question - AIBU to be put off?

[Shineonyou]

Had a brief pre-interview chat with a HR rep for a job I have applied to.

It was friendly and informal until he asked 'wouldn't you be bored in this role given your background/experience?' and a few similar negative questions.

There were lots of positives though that he highlighted about my CV and said he would flag.

I came away feeling good initially as I answered all questions positively and the HR person seemed very engaged.

But now come to think of it, why ask such negative questions pre-interview? Are they trying to manage my expectations, ie, not likely to get it because they think I'm too experienced?

It is quite a bureaucratic organisation driven by process but it is a more senior role at a larger organisation with a bigger portfolio of work.

So not sure why he would ask this question.

AIBU to feel despondent?

Or is it standard to ask challenging questions when applying for a job?

Posted on here for traffic.

Thank you!

Sometimes they ask questions to provoke or see if it throws you. Do they think youu are overqualified?

I wouldn't over think it - if you are too experienced they may be worried you're just using this job as a stop gap before something better comes along.

I would think they don't want to waste anyone's time interviewing you if you are then going to turn it down as not senior/challenging enough. So they wanted to confirm you are really interested.

I would take that seriously - is the job beneath your capabilities?

I wouldn’t be put off by it.

NoMorePoliticsPlease HollowTalk No I don't think I am over qualified but I can see why they would be impressed with my background/CV.

Think about it from their point of view. They don’t want to appoint someone who might quickly get bored or feel unchallenged and then quit, leaving them to find someone else. They want to appoint the right fit. It’s a question you should consider carefully - would you be fulfilled in the role?

Thanks WifflyWaffle The fact that they have eluded to this has made me seriously re-think it now. I explained why the organisation/work they do is appealing, it is a larger organisation, with much broader/international scope, and the HR person liked my answer, but the fact that they felt the need to ask pre-interview has made me think again. Let's see how the interview process goes.

They asked me a similar question at my current workplace. I had gone from a very different, more challenging and better paid role and was applying for a standard basic admin job, despite having a degree and a postgrad. They rang me after the interview to ask for clarification about whether I actually wanted the job and felt that I wouldn't get bored and want to move on after a year. It felt like a very honest question, and I just said that I wanted a change in my life and that I wasn't interested in a high pressure 'career' job, but an actual job that I could do well, and leave in the office at the end of the day. I ended up staying for 10 years in that role, before moving into another role at the same employer about 2 and a half years ago. The person who interviewed me and asked the question was my manager for 9 years, and she explained later that it had been a legitimate worry of theirs at interview that I was far too qualified and would be really bored and move on quickly, making them go through the whole process again. It had happened with the person before me.

Thanks ShinyMe glad it worked out for you

This role I've applied to pays waaayyy more than what I am on now. It also has a more senior title. But my experience is good and impressive, although should not have them think negatively in terms of my boredom

They aren't thinking negatively of you. You are taking this personally.

I've asked a similar question when I conducted interviews. Once was someone applying for an entry level, low paid role, when they'd already had years of similar experience at a much higher level. We wanted to know why someone would be applying for such a junior role?

Another time, the candidate replied that if they found it boring, they'd put their headphones on, and listen to music to drown the work environment out!!!