| This question is somewhat of a trap, because it asks | | | | "I've given this question some thought, and overall I |
| for a negative answer. If you haven't given it some | | | | have been very satisfied with my jobs. I've been able |
| thought, you may blurt out something about your boss | | | | to work with some really interesting people. I have to |
| or the company, and talk yourself right out of a job. | | | | admit that I did have a job where there was an |
| One of the purposes of the question is to find out if | | | | inordinate amount of paper work. Because working |
| you are going to be satisfied in this job. If you were | | | | with people is my strength, the paper work really |
| dissatisfied before, you may be dissatisfied again if the | | | | bogged me down at times." |
| circumstances are similar. | | | | Notice the word "inordinate" Not normal paper work, |
| Three candidates answers: | | | | but unusually large amount, keeping you from doing |
| Roopal - "I didn't have enough challenges. After a while, | | | | what you do best: working with people. |
| all the projects became repetitive and the same. I | | | | Exercise |
| thrive on challenge." | | | | Make a list of the times in your past jobs when you |
| Interviewer's thoughts - "A lot of the tasks here are | | | | have been dissatisfied; times when you didn't look |
| repetitive. What makes her think she will like it here any | | | | forward to going to work, when you "hated" what you |
| better? Will we be able to keep her challenged?" | | | | were doing. Was it the nature of the work or the |
| Kevin - "Lack of stability. After three company | | | | office environment that were making you dissatisfied? |
| acquisitions, I had five bosses in three years. I couldn't | | | | Spend some time looking at your list for patterns. Are |
| take it any longer. What I am looking for is stability in a | | | | there some projects that recur on your list; some |
| job and company." | | | | situations that you don't want to get into again? This |
| Interviewer's thoughts - "While our company is stable | | | | exercise will help you identify areas to watch for and |
| now, there are no guarantees about the future. This | | | | to ask questions about during the interview. |
| guy sounds like he may have some burn out and | | | | "What percentage of this job will be travel?" |
| flexibility issues. | | | | "What are some of the specific tasks and |
| Barry - "In my last job, my boss was overbearing and | | | | responsibilities of this job?" |
| wouldn't let me do my job. If she didn't like they way I | | | | Job satisfaction |
| was doing something she'd criticize me." | | | | When you can identify the factors that give you job |
| Interviewer's thoughts - "Could he work with me as a | | | | satisfaction, as well as the factors that were |
| supervisor? How would he react if I had to critique his | | | | unpleasant or tedious for you, you can determine if this |
| work? He sounds like he could be a problem to | | | | is the right job for you. It is a known fact that people |
| supervise." | | | | perform best when they are doing something they |
| Focus | | | | enjoy. Thinking about the answer to this question is an |
| When you answer the question, it is best to focus on | | | | opportunity for you to identify what you want - doing |
| tasks rather than talking about company politics or | | | | the things you like to do best, as well as what you |
| people. | | | | don't want. |