Loaded question at interview/chat re new job

[widowtwankywashroom]

I recently had an "informal" chat about a transfer from one department to another as part of internal redeployment.
I am underdoing this as I am unhappy in my new role - to me this is obvious - I don't like my role so I am applying for other roles.
The manager asked me " are you looking or have applied for other roles" Now to me how do I answer this?
If I answer truthfully and say yes I am looking ( why wouldn't I be I am on the transfer register ) it looks like I am not committed to the role I am applying for
But didn't want to lie and say " no this is the only role I am interested in" as that is clearly not true
Just feel like no matter what I answered it was the wrong answer

If you’ve got the cheek say “Well, I realise I’m a valuable employee so if you’d like me
on your team you’ll need to confirm my appointment as soon as possible”.

I dont think there's a right or wrong answer, and I'm not even sure I see the point in them asking that question.

To have answered no shows you are only interested in this role, but does it actually show you're that serious about leaving your current role if you've not applied for anything else.

To have answered yes might look like you're not that interested in that role, you're just interested in getting out.

As you say I don't think you could have won whatever you say, and I can't see the answer to that question actually having an impact on whether you got the job or not.

Good luck x

Just answer that you like the company and would like to stay internal

I've done recruiting at places I've worked, and this question has been a standard one on the list, so I wouldn't stress about it. It may be aimed more at external candidates, where it's helpful for the company to know if you're doing other interviews, where you are in the interview process, and whether they need to make an offer soon or not. I'd jut answer something waffle like you're not currently interviewing anywhere else, but looking for more career growth opportunities than you have in your current role.

Standard question
just say you’re exploring other opportunities then say why you’re a good fit for this role and why you applied

I've just done the same thing. We're encouraged to apply for other roles within the same company but have to keep our manager informed.

I know I would have gone with a straight "Yes." and stared him down like "and what did you expect me to say? I'm not saving myself for you and only you."

Why wouldn't you keep an ongoing eye out for best opportunities?

Oh I would just play the game. "This is my preferred role, and I think I am a good fit so want to explore this as a priority" yadda yadda yadda.
View it as a game. Say what each person wants to hear. Don't overthink else you will drive yourself bonkers.

It's a fairly standard question, you don't wabt to be defensive about it.

Yes, I am ready for a fresh challenge so I'm on the transfer register and am actively exploring roles that I think would be a good fit. What I'm looking for is x, Y and Z, which aligns my skills in A B and C.

*aligns with my skills in A, B, C

I answered truthfully and said yes, but clarified if offered I would withdraw from other roles etc and stressed this job I was suitable for and had the requested skills etc

I would have said , yes, I’m exploring other opportunities, but this is the job I really want .

I usually answer the question with:

yes I am actively looking for other roles but this is the one I am most keen on so I hope I'll be the successful candidate.