Interview Answer: “What Other Jobs Have You Been Applying For?

Interview Answer: “What Other Jobs Have You Been Applying For?

By Tabitha Makumi,

Stella Maina* says she was recently caught a little bit off guard when an interviewer asked her, “What other jobs have you been applying for?” she adds that she even thought of it to be a trick question.

“I have attended numerous interviews before but I am afraid this question has never come up. The truth is I have been job searching for close to two years and my search is far and wide. While as I am a Human Resource graduate, due to desperation, I am one of those people who look for jobs in the finance industry, Insurance, Hotel, Administration and so forth. I didn’t think it was wise to mention this in the interview so I just mentioned that I was looking for jobs in my area of specialty. How do I handle such a question in future?” she asks

Speaking to Martin Githaiga a Human Resource Officer with Corporate Staffing Services, he clarifies that this is not a common question.

“It’s not a cliché kind of question which you will find in any other interview. It’s mostly asked in second interviews or high level interviews,” he says.

Is it a trick question as Ms Maina thought it to be? I ask
“Actually the main purpose is for the interviewer to know if you are an active job seeker and the kind of jobs that you normally look for,” he adds that the interviewer just wants to know the nitty-gritty’s of your job search.

And what’s the motive behind this question? I inquire
“They want to know if you are a specific job seeker. And whether you show constituency in the kind of jobs which you look for,” he says.

“How else can this question be asked?
Mr Githaiga says that you can expect it as are you looking for other jobs, or How far have you gone in your past interviews.

“If you have not been looking for a job, be honest about it since saying no does not jeopardize your chances of getting that job.”

He further advices that, “If you have been job searching in various industries, mention the ones that align to your area of expertise since you don’t want to come across as an all over the place kind of job seeker”

In answering this question, Mr Githaiga advice is that you have to be brief and straight to the point. “Don’t talk so much about those other position since they may sound better than the post you are interviewing for.”

Talk to us, which interview question gives you the most grief?

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