How to Answer Interview Questions About Your Dream Job

How to Answer Interview Questions About Your Dream JobHow to Answer Interview Questions About Your Dream JobTell me about your dream job can be a tricky interview question. Even thoughyour dream jobmight have elendhing to do with the job youre interviewing for, dont mention it if its not related. Instead, make an effort to connect your answer to the position youre interviewing for. Learn more about what information interviewers hope to discover through your response, along with some dos and donts for answering this question. Why Do Interviewers Ask This Question? In the interview, your potential employer will likely focus on figuring out whether or not you have theright skills to be successful in the job. However, theyll also be interested in how motivated you are to perform the job, and whether or not you will be satisfied with the position. This interview question helps interviewersassess your motivation. Your response may also offer a glimpse into your values, passions, and pr iorities as an employee. What to Mention Ideally, your response to the question should reference some elements of the job at hand. For example, if the position is a customer tafelgeschirr job, you might say that your dream job would have a high level of interaction with customers. You can also focus on the industry in your response to this question If you are applying for a job at an environmental nonprofit, you can mention your passion for environmentalism. Another option is to frame your answer around yourideal company cultureand work environment. For instance, you might say youre eager to work in a collaborative environment or to be a part of a passionate team. Just make sure the environment you mention is a match for the culture in the positions workplace. In order to prepare your answer, brainstorm what appeals to you about the job Do you enjoy solving problems, or mediating conflicts?Do you thrive under pressure?Do you consider yourself a people person who likes to engage with clients or with the larger community? Go back to the job listing, and look through the job description and requirements to find what most excites and interests you about the position. In your answer, you can refer both to skills you currently have and want to use, and ones that you think youll be able to develop in the position. Create a Job Profile to Help Solidify Your Answer Think of what you want in a job, and create a profile of your ideal job that includes some of those functions. Your dream job doesnt have to be a specific position, like Account Executive or Public Relations Director, but can instead include different responsibilities you would enjoy having as part of your position. Your profile can also include skills you enjoy using and the type of company culture you thrive in. Make sure some of those elements match the description of the job for which you are applying. Share Examples Your answer can be more convincing if you reflect on why you found these typ es of activities rewarding in the past, and how yourskill setmatches the type of job youre after. Be ready to share some examples of how you have enjoyed utilizing those skills in the past. Focus on the Present and the Future Another way to answer the question is to mention a certain goal you would like to reach through your dream job. For example, if youre applying for a job with a non-profit environmental organization, you might mention that an essential element of your dream career would be a role that advances the green agenda. Ultimately, the key to answering Tell me about your dream job? is to convey your long-term interest in a high-level position, without overshadowing your interest in the job youre applying for. What Not to Mention in Your Response As with any open-ended questions, its easy to feel like anything goes. But youre still in a job interview, and your responses will be closely examined. Answers that are overly grandiose - my dream job is CEO, for instanc e - are off-putting. And if your dream job is to write novels professionally or become a sommelier, thats information best kept to yourself during an interview for a staff accountant position. Here are some other things to avoid in your response Specific job titlesKeep the focus on the skills aspect of roles, and do not name specific job titles.Ambitious functionsTread carefully here. If your dream job involves responsibilities that are far from achievable in the position youre applying for, it could make you seem like you wouldnt be happy for long in the position. Interviewers are more eager to hire applicants who will stick around, than ones who will have a short tenure.This jobTheres something a bit insincereabout saying the job youre applying for is your dream job. Avoid this. So, Whats Your Dream Job? Sample Answers What I look for in a job, and what I love about this customer service representative position, is the ability to utilize my communication and customer service skills. I love interacting with customers and quickly and effectively problem solving with them. Down the road, after becoming an expert in your product line and developing strong relationships with your customers, I would love to work in sales.My dream job involves an extensiveamount of teamwork, such as regular staff meetings and group projects. I love that this job emphasizes communication among colleagues and between management and staff. My previous job was 50% team projects, and I am excited to continue that kind of teamwork and open communication here. My dream job would allow me to develop web content for a variety of companies. I love getting to know different clients and developing content to suit their unique needs. For example, in my last job, I worked for clients in industries ranging from healthcare to education and received praise for my work with a variety of companies. I love that this job would allow me to work with a range of clients.