To ask how you answer the "why do you want this job" question

[AngelDelight28]

I'm trying to transfer from one field (which I've worked in for nearly a decade) to a related one. I've been asked in interviews why I want to do that and I never know how to answer without sounding insincere.

My real reasons are that the field I'm trying to go into is better paid and more secure, compared to the industry I'm in now, which is lower paid and there are lay-offs all the time. But I feel like saying this would be frowned upon as the interviewers would think I only want the job for the money and because my first choice of career didn't work out as planned (which tbh is pretty accurate but...I can't say that).
On the other hand it just sounds naff if I give them the cliches about having a passion for the work (it's not a vocation-type career).

I'm rubbish at interviews in general but know I can do the work, I studied for a qualification to retrain and got some work experience through volunteering.

What will you get out of the new job that your current job doesn't give you? Are you looking for sideways or upwards trajectory? Are there areas you want to develop further that you can't in your current one?

For example:
im looking for more of a challenge around x
I'd like to develop my skills in X and I feel that this role would allow do to do that
I'm really interested in the X aspect of this area of work and want to explore this further, it's a really interesting/developing area of work.

Hth

I usually answer with the truth, that I'm looking for a role where upward progress/skill growth is possible.

I think it would be fine to talk about wanting job security OP. However, whenever i have interviewed and have asked a similar question, I have been interested in not only why the candidate wants this job but also why they are well suited to it in terms of skills, knowedge and experience, so you may wish to add that in too. Also, as an interviewer I would be paying attention to their manner of answering: how coherent and succinct is their answer? Do they communicate well etc etc..

TBH as an interviewer i would have no issue with you being trueful and saying exactly what you said, perhaps slightly dressed up.

Let's be honest, most people change jobs because they want more money or they want more security, or both.

I interview people often and when we ask that question we really want to hear that the candidate wants to move TO the role, rather than AWAY from the one they are in. Talking about looking for stability and longevity in the role to allow you to continue doing well with X while having exposure to and developing Y with a long term view of achieving Z would be a great way to answer. They just want to see what understanding you have of the role and that you won’t bail out quickly.

The point in interviews is not about honesty per se; it’s to see how you deal with this question in comparison to everyone else they ask. They know that saying you have passion about something that’s not a vocation-type job is probably more than a bit insincere, so they don’t necessarily want to hear the same answer as 100 other insincere people. So IF you feel comfortable enough to be a bit lighthearted, and they seem like the type that would chuckle, you can open with something like, “Well, the money wouldn’t hurt.” Hopefully they chuckle. “But I could get a slight pay increase doing several other jobs. The fact is that I really do believe that with my experience, I can excel at doing this job, right here, right now, for X Company.” If there’s ANYTHING specific about the job or the company that you excel at or that you’re the right fit for (you know the culture well because you’ve worked for the company, and you’re ready to have more responsibility, or you are perfect for X role because you’ve had courses in X), now would be the time to say it. Mention something that is particular about YOU, that another interviewee couldn’t say.

I tend to answer this as why this SPECIFIC job rather than just, why do you want a different job. Turn it around and discuss how your skillset matches the job role and how your research suggests you would fit into the company and its culture. If you know anyone who works in a similar role, I'll often say I discussed the sort of work with x person in the industry and they highlighted xyz (something from job spec) which matches what I want to do in my career. Makes you look like you've done tons of research.

I would explain what skills and interests you have that would fit well with the role and then talk about how the volunteering experience confirmed that for you.

Thanks for the replies. Lots of good ideas to consider. It's a sideways move but with the aim to progress in future.

I found it relatively easy to get into my current industry despite it being competitive because I did genuinely have a passion for it, what I do now is my childhood dream and it came across in interviews. But for various reasons it isn't sustainable long term. The field I'm trying to get into isn't as "glamorous" so interviewers sometimes seem baffled as to why I want to switch. I am interested in it and think I would be good at the job but it isn't my "passion". I'm past all that now and want a job where I work hard but also get paid decently and have stability.

Employers are ridiculous. Virtually everyone does their job for the money. If they won the lottery they’d quit. Why is it so hard for employers to accept that? They always want you to say some bollocks when the fact is that work is a necessary evil.

I applied for a new job when it looked likely I'd be made redundant at my current one (been at the company over 20 years)

The interviewer wanted to know why the desire to move after such a long time (hadn't actually been put at risk of redundancy at this point so was a speculative application) and accrued benefits so I was honest with them. The company I worked for kept running the same cycles for my work so I was no longer being stretched and job security was less promising than it had been for years. I wanted a new field in which to develop and excel that matched my need for ongoing job security and their role seemed like a perfect fit.

I was offered the job so it can't be a terrible thing to be honest about. I think the crucial thing is being sincere. Bullshit only gets you so far and good interviewers see right past it.

@NumberNineTwo

Employers are ridiculous. Virtually everyone does their job for the money. If they won the lottery they’d quit. Why is it so hard for employers to accept that? They always want you to say some bollocks when the fact is that work is a necessary evil.

I somewhat disagree. I think for certain jobs it’s a ridiculous question, I was once interviewed for an admin job at a foot care company, I drew and blank and said that I like feet. I did not get that job.

I think for a job with future career progression it can be a good way to work out who is actually passionate about that particular vocation rather than just any job. I don’t think it’s a question that should hold a lot of weight to it though

Wouldn't it be refreshing though for someone to just say it how it is that would impress me

@NumberNineTwo

Employers are ridiculous. Virtually everyone does their job for the money. If they won the lottery they’d quit. Why is it so hard for employers to accept that? They always want you to say some bollocks when the fact is that work is a necessary evil.

This. Most people don't end up in their dream jobs and are there to make money, end of. I wish there was a more realistic approach in interviews/appraisals when it comes to business shit like this.

@GivenUpEntirely I like that, that's a really good way of phrasing it. It's pretty much how I feel too, no longer feeling stretched and constantly on edge about redundancies.
Well done on getting the job!

@secretllama I am in my "dream job" but the negatives, which I didn't factor when I was a naive 21 year old, have quickly started to outweigh the positives. Even dream jobs can become routine and/or toxic.

@AlizeeEasy Haha sorry but that made me burst out laughing, I'd have hired you!

As an interviewer when I asked this I expected them to say which aspects of the future potential role they were most looking forward to doing and were interested by.

I was interviewing for care home staff so I'd be looking for answers that indicated they were interested in interacting with the people they'd be caring for, weren't afraid of graft, had compassion and understanding and were practical people generally speaking. They usually had experience in a similar role and would link that in.

It depends on the role of course.

Certainly had my share of "bad" answers too

"Cos it seems pretty easy"
"It's within walking distance for me"
"My mum made me apply"
"I like talking to old people a lot they're always funny"
"Old people don't care who looks after them"
"I'm no longer allowed to work with children" (I shit you not!)

Depressing at times

@gwenneh

I usually answer with the truth, that I'm looking for a role where upward progress/skill growth is possible.

This. I always say something about wanting long-term career progression and this job seems to me to offer that.

Do NOT tell the truth e.g. "I work with a bunch of dickheads and you're paying more."

Say what you’ve said here. You’re more mature now and your goals in life have changed. You’re seeking something where you’ll have more in common with your colleagues in terms of being less flighty and more settled and responsible. Perhaps the location is where you really want to live? That might suggest you’re in it for the long haul?

Say nice things about the company as well as the role itself. Find what's different about them vs competitors and then use that as something that has attracted you to them. I've found that tends to go down well.