BEST Interview Answers: “What Do You Look For in a New Job?”

By Tabitha Makumi

Simon Okello writes in an email that in a recent interview, the HR manager asked him a question which caught him off guard. He jots down, “I had prepared for questions such as tell me about yourself, why should I hire you, and so on but I didn’t know I would be asked ‘What do you look for when you are looking for a new job?’

He admits that, “I didn’t know what to say but after a few seconds I said, “more money”. It was the first thing that came to mind and I regretted it as soon as I had said it because of the look I got from the interviewer. Although he didn’t say it was wrong, I got the feeling that I had blown my chances. How should I handle such a question in the future,” he asks.

Speaking to Juliet Gateri, Recruitment Manager with Alternate Doors she advises that mentioning money as the first thing may put off the recruiter. “It shows as if you are all about money. Although it’s important, don’t let it be the first thing you utter.”

So, is it wrong to mention that you are looking for greener pastures? I pose to Beth Wanjira a Recruitment Manager with Corporate Staffing Services.

“Not at all,” she asserts that, “Everyone is looking for greener pastures at the end of the day. Of course if you’ve been earning 40K for the past two years that’s not the same amount you will want to earn in your new job,” she reasons.

Enough about money.

Ms Gateri advises that mentioning you are looking for a job which has a potential for advancement is important.

“Is there a possibility of being promoted after you’ve been there a few years? Are there other positions you could apply for internally?” she says this are the things you should say guide you when looking for a new opportunity.

She also adds that, “You also want to have a job where your abilities will be challenged, a place where you can grow your skills and learn new things and above it all you want a job in a place where you will be mentored.”

Ms Wanjira on the other hand adds that you will have to mention about the expected experience you hope to gain from the new job.

“Whether it’s early or late in your career, the most important thing you can do is gain as much experience as possible. Even if you secure a job in your desired field, you won’t be in the same position forever,” she says.

Moreover she adds that job security is something worth mentioning when this question is posed to you.

“You know how ‘crazy’ things are in the Kenyan job market. One day you could have a job and the next day due to one reason or the other, you may find yourself jobless due to factors that you have no control over such as being retrenched or when the company gets sold off.”

She advises that, “Be honest about it and tell the recruiter this such are crucial aspect that you deeply and keenly look at when looking for a new job.”

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