I’m job hunting now, and I went on an interview yesterday. I’ve been on plenty of interviews before, and I’ve done my homework, so I know what to expect by now when I walk into a job interview: employers are asking a lot of stupid fucking questions. I know this, but I still just want to pinch myself every time it happens. What is the purpose of asking these inane questions?!?
I met with five people on my interview yesterday, and for the most part, I’ll admit, it went pretty well. I would consider most of the conversation that took place to be pretty productive and worthwhile.
But one of the interviewers asked me a variation of the question I detest the most: Where do you see yourself in 3-5 years?
Now, obviously, I’ve been out of college for several years now, and I know the answer you’re looking for: I’m looking to work my way up (remember to hold the eye-roll until after you exit the office). I feel like we’re just playing a game: you ask a generic question, and I give you the generic answer you’re looking for. Tit for tat. Blech.
Here are some more creative answers that I’d really like to give the next time somebody asks me, “Where do you see yourself in five years?”
- Hopefully by then I’ve finished pulling my foot out of your ass for asking me such a stupid question
- Selling all of my belongings and using the proceeds to travel the world. I’d like to go on a safari.
- Letting myself go
- In the mirror- that’s where I “see myself” now!
- 29. I’ll be 29.
- I’d like to own my own home by then. If you pay me enough for that, then I’ll probably still be here.
- Well, I was hoping you wouldn’t ask this question, because the doctors say I may not have that long (cue the tears)*
Share and subscribe if you agree that some interview questions are just plain stupid.
*I am not chronically ill, nor have doctors predicted the date of my death at this point.
