What does it mean if your interviewer asks if you’ve applied for jobs elsewhere?

ImaginaryBallroom

This doesn’t refer to my current situation, but I saw a post on here that triggered the thought. When I had my interview for the job I’m in now, my interviewer asked me if I had applied for similar jobs with other businesses. I said yes, and he asked me where I had applied. I hesitated for a little bit and then said, “I’d rather not say right now” in a way which I hope came across as lighthearted - I smiled when I said it. My interviewer was totally cool with that and said that I didn’t have to tell him. But it just made me wonder - if I didn’t have to tell him, why did he ask?

[Deleted User]

I like to think it's used to assertain how quickly they (interviewer) might need to move or how interested you are to that specific work you are trying for.

I've been asked by both a company that interviewed first time around for a temp position which I got, then for a permanent job interview for same company but didn't get job due to no practical experience, anyway, most recently a company chucked it out their on a telephone interview. But they did then take couple of weeks to send out the invite for a face to face possibility. So being coy can go either way I imagine.

Same as you can get good cop (one sells how great a company is) bad cop (makes the company sound awful) in an interview - never really sure why. But fortunately they decided on a trial day as one of the next stages
Hopefully people won't be on their best behaviour?

General_Grant

If it is an agency which asks - don't tell them you have applied elsewhere as they will then want to know more about the role - for their benefit in selling to a new client, for instance, not for your benefit.

If it is the employer direct - I'd probably not say I was applying elsewhere - to show that they thought their job was just right for me and I was ideal for them.

ACG

I remember I once applied for a job that I was well experience for, bordering on over experienced. They asked me if I had applied elsewhere and I told them I had another interview later that day.

They then asked which would be my preferred job, I told them it was their job as I felt I could come in and find my feet quite quickly where as the other is a step away from what I am used to. It was actually the other job which was my preference because it was a step in the right direction to helping me become a Mortgage broker (which I now am).

I was offered the job...but took the other job as I was offered that also.

getmore4less

The background will be important.

unemployed(desperate) or career move(selective) need different answers.

if you have made particular criteria for the change known you want to make sure that any answer does not undermine any of that dialog.

TELLIT01

If unemployed and asked that question I would tend to answer Yes whether I had applied for other jobs or not. At least then the interviewer doesn't get the impression that you are so confident of getting this job that you haven't applied elsewhere, or conversely think you can't be bothered to apply elsewhere. If asked where else I had applied I would say I'd rather not go into that.

If employed I'd be more likely to answer along the lines of No, but I am keeping my options open.

XiaoLi101

My advice is to tell the interviewer that you have applied to similar jobs with other companies. If you were already interviewed by one, it's great to tell him. Knowing that you have applied to similar positions with other organizations is a sign that you are serious in your career goal. That's one of the reasons why hiring managers ask that question. And if you're really good, telling the interviewer that you were also interviewing with other companies will make him hire you immediately out of fear of losing you as the best candidate for the position; that is, if you really see yourself as a highly qualified professional. Telling the interviewer that you have applied to similar roles and have been interviewed by other companies may reflect your market value. May I ask if you have applied to their direct competitors?

Doshwaster

Nothing wrong with "Yes, I am talking to other potential employers about the opportunities they are offering but I would rather not say who"

After all, I bet your interviewer won't give you the names of the other candidates they are interviewing!

prowla

It is perfectly fine to say you are looking at other options, but don't give details about the prospective employer.