If we offered you the job, would you accept it??........

[blinkedandmissedit]

Why do they ask this? Surely no one ever says no do they? Even if you're not 100% sure it's your dream job, you wouldn't go for the interview if you didn't want it, would you?

I've just been asked this in an interview.

Am trying to keep my mind off it for the rest of the day, obviously by picking apart the poor interviewer! I was the first of 6 to be interviewed and have another interview later for something else! A whole day of nerves for me then!

Well, you might not go for the interview if you weren't interested but I have been for some interviews in the dim and distant past where I completely haven't gelled with the interview panel or where the job turned out to be quite different to what I had picked up from the jd so if I had been asked in those situations I would probably have said "no" - although not quite so bluntly! An interview is a two-way process, not just for the employer to decide whether to offer you the job but is also for you to decide if you are interested in the role so surely they are just saving themselves time in considering your application further if you have changed your mind. Seems quite sensible to me.

They always ask you this question in teaching interviews. I think it's probably because during the day you get a feel for the school and whether or not you would work well there. I said no at one interview as I realised it was just not the school I was looking for!

DH has been to interviews where he knew that he wouldn't acept the job if offered for various reasons, and has told them why.

I have said no twice. Once in a teaching interview where I had got an idea I wasn't happy with the school and once when issues in the department came to light during the interview.

And good luck btw!

I don't think that is unreasonable. Because sometimes a candidate might have a look round and then during the interview it becomes clear that the job and/or company isn't going to suit them after all. I suppose that's a rare situation in these days of job shortages but I expect it still happens. And it's better to say no at the time rather than accept the job and then change your mind before the starting date.

Well I have just been well and truly told, as I went for my second interview and realised I don't want the job!! They didn't ask the question though so not sure what I would have said if they had. That'll teach me to go starting threads on MN so flippantly!