‘What is your dream job’ is one of the trickiest questions that interviewees come across in an interview, due to its skill testing and fast thinking requirement that you must demonstrate. With the right preparation, this question will not be that difficult to answer. Read all about how you should answer job interview questions that regard your ‘dream job’ in this blog.
You should never be compelled when answering this question, to state that the job you are applying for is your dream job. You do not have to lie; all you need to do is ensure that the answer that you give, directly relates to the job that you are applying for.
This will not only demonstrate to your interviewer that you can be trusted and you are the perfect fit for the job. This article, therefore, will delve into how you are supposed to answer the question, and what the interviewer wants to achieve by asking this question, to help you come up with the perfect answer.
Why the interviewer asks this question
To know how to best answer this question to increase your chances of success, you need first to know why your interviewer is asking it in the first place. Below are some of the reasons why this question is ideal for your interviewer.
To gauge what you are passionate about
It is worth noting from the onset that your employer is looking for a candidate that is passionate about the work that you have applied for. As such, therefore, he or she needs you to demonstrate that you enjoy doing the work as it determined your productivity.
In order, therefore to pick a candidate who will enjoy doing his or her work, interviewers ask about your dream job. This then helps them deduce whether what you are passionate about crosses paths with the requirements of the job. That is why you need to ensure that your answer interrelates with the job opportunity that you are applying for.
To gauge your skills
It’s logical that you describe a dream job that relates to the skills that you currently already possess and can further develop in the future. That is why interviewers ask for your dream job, to determine what your strong skills are and whether they relate with the job.
When answering this question, therefore, you will need to ensure that the answer you give, exploits the skills that the job you are applying for requires. To find the best answer, go through the requirements of the job you are applying for, and find a job that needs those skills. However, there is no harm in stating the job you are applying for as being your dream job.
To assess your motivation
Your dream job is what you enjoy doing. By asking the dream job that you prefer doing, your interviewer wants to know what motivates you, so that they can decide whether you are the perfect pick for the job in question.
This is to avoid employing a person whose heart and mind are not in the job and who will quit after a few days. When answering this question, therefore, you need to choose a job that closely matches with the one you are applying for. The secret is to demonstrate to your interviewer that you have the right motivation for the job.
Tips for answering the ‘what is your dream job’ question
It is worth noting that the answers that you will give for this question will determine whether you qualify for the job or not. Therefore, make sure that you’re always prepared to answer job interview questions about your dream job. Below are some of the tips that you could use.
Give a job description not just a job title
One of the common mistakes that interviewees make when answering this question is stating the job title that they dream of doing. However, this should never be the case as your interviewer may not clearly understand what that entails. Therefore, do not just state, describe what the job entails.
To make sure that he or she understands your dream job, it is advisable to describe the functions of the job. For instance, you may opt to state its characteristics like a job that will give me an opportunity to utilize my clear cut IT skills. This will leave a good impression on you, as someone who has a clear picture of the skills that they have.
The answer should relate to the job in question
The reason why your interviewer is asking this question is to determine whether your string skillset matches what he or she is looking for. That is why you should always tailor your answer in such a way that the skills that your dream job demands overlap with the job that you are applying for.
It’s a good idea to mention a dream job that demands similar skills to the job that you’re currently applying for. By substantiating your interest in a similar field, your chances of being hired can increase. For instance, in case you are applying for a leadership position, you can have your dream job as a job that will give you the opportunity to utilize your excellent leadership skills.
Give some examples
When answering this question, your aim should be to convince your interviewer that you are the perfect candidate to hire. This being the case. Therefore, you will need to ensure that you strike a convincing note.
There are very many ways of achieving that, one of them being giving clear cut real examples of the work that you dream of doing. You can even opt to incorporate giving a story when answering it, as a story is more convincing.
Conclusion
The ‘what is your dream job’ question may either break or make your dreams of getting a job. That is why you need to tread carefully when answering it. For instance, you should not state a very ambitious job like being a president, while the job you are applying for does not relate in any way with your answer. Give an answer that relates to the job you are applying for in some of way, and you will be good to go.
Job Interview Topics – Common Job Interview Questions & Answers
Below you can find a list of common job interview topics. Each link will direct you to an article regarding the specific topics that discuss commonly asked interview questions. Furthermore, each article discusses why the interviewer asks these questions and how you answer them!
- Accomplishments
- Adaptability
- Admission
- Behavioral
- Career Change
- Career Goals
- Communication
- Competency
- Conflict Resolution
- Creative Thinking
- Cultural Fit
- Customer Service
- Direct
- Experience
- Government
- Graduate
- Growth Potential
- Honesty & Integrity
- Illegal
- Inappropriate
- Job Satisfaction
- Leadership
- Management
- Entry-Level & No experience
- Performance-Based
- Personal
- Prioritization & Time Management
- Problem-solving
- Salary
- Situational & Scenario-based
- Stress Management
- Teamwork
- Telephone Interview
- Tough
- Uncomfortable
- Work Ethic
