"If offered the position, would you accept it?"

wantsajob

Was recently asked this at an interview. Have never come across it, and it was a bit unexpected. Do some interviewers routinely ask this question?

I guess the only way it makes sense is if they're trying to determine how genuinely interested you are.

david39

If it's towards the end of the interview then I would assume that they are interested in you and would want to take your application further. They are checking that you are in the same frame of mind so that they are not wasting their time.

If it's in the early stages of the interview then you are suggesting to them that you are not really interested in the job and they are giving you an early gewt-out to save everyone's time.

Eliza_2

I think I've always been asked it, and as an interviewer have asked it of applicants too. At the end of the interview when you've heard all about the job, you may have decided it's not for you after all.

As an interviewee I have occasionally said that I felt that the job probably wasn't for me, though if I've felt that I usually know half way through the interview so have told them then, and have left. A job interview is a two way thing after all.

Nicki

When I interview for teaching posts, we always ask it for the last question, even if the interview has been dreadful and there is no way on earth we will be offering the job. So don't read anything into it!

I am surprised by how many times I've had equivocal answers to it though. Along the lines of "I'm not sure" or "I need to discuss with my husband first". We've never offered the post to anyone who didn't answer the question with an immediate yes, so if you might be interested in the job, I'd advise you don't fudge the answer to that question as you'll be closing down your options not keeping them open. You can always answer yes at interview and still turn it down if it is offered.

maninthestreet

You could respond with 'Yes, if the terms and conditions of the emplpyment offer are acceptable to me'.

getmore4less

The problem is that it is the wrong question to ask because there is no correct answer other than yes, and it closes off dialog.

Any sensible answer other than no(if not interested) is going to come across negative in most cases so a prospective employee cannot take the risk you might be looking for something else.

So even if they have more questions or things they are not sure about they can't ask them afterthis question.

duchy

I don't answer the question directly (especially if money is yet to be mentioned) and just smile and say positively "Oh yes I am interested"

If that leads onto questions about why it isn't a blanket yes it usually brings up benefits, money etc so it turns their closed question into something more useful .

scooby088

I have never been asked this at interview before, always get we'll let you know. But I would see it as a positive when asked.

wantsajob

The interview itself went dismally (on my part) I would fully admit, and have already received a rejection. I suspect they must automatically ask it as the last question. I answered yes, pointing out the main obstacle would be relocating, and that I had already investigated what rental properties were available in the area.

colino

Frankly it's a daft, formulaic question asked by people going through the motions of an interview without any ability to conduct them.
Other than a person who projects at interview with great presentation, sound skills sets and overwhelming zeal for employment, but for a very low-paid, menial job, could I ever imagine a reason for that question.

unsure

It's a silly question which encourages interviewees to show themselves as honest but stupid ( if you say "no" you won't be offered the job!) or clever but possibly untrustworthy ( you know you have to say "yes" to have a chance of getting the job whether that's true or not!).
The only answer to make as an interviewee is "Yes, absolutlely. It's just what I've been looking for" -- which doesn't prevent you turning it down if it is offered and you don't want it. Should you feel obliged to offer an explanation "second thoughts" or "better offer elsewhere" would suffice. That would serve the interviewers right for asking such a pointless question!