Interviewers frequently ask questions that are standard across the board. You can expect to be asked about your strengths, weaknesses, how you can contribute to company growth, etc. Another very common interview question is, “What’s your dream job?” There are many right ways to answer this, and some wrong ways too.
At HiCounselor we try our best to help people get their dream jobs, so this is one question we know how you should address. Read on to find out how to answer when you’re asked, “What’s your dream job?” If you’re looking for a job and want to fast-track your progress, contact us and let one of our experts guide you!
Understand the Intent
When an interviewer asks you a question like, “What’s your dream job?”, you should know the motivation behind it. Apart from your skills and qualifications, recruiters want to know if you’ll work hard and long-term for them. If the job they’re hiring for is part of your career path, then it’s good. If your dream job is wildly different, then you might not be committed to the position.
Choose to Generalize
Many interview questions require details, but “What’s your dream job?” isn’t really one of them. It’s better not to delve into specifics, like wanting a corner office or an exact job title. It’s a good idea to talk more about the general characteristics of a role. For example, a role where you work with the latest tech or one that isn’t simply a desk job. Give two or three characteristics for your dream job.
Match the Current Role
When you’re asked, “What’s your dream job?”, you should tailor your answer to suit the occasion. If you’re applying for a tech role but your dream is to be an author, it’s not going to gel. Use some of the qualities of the current role for your answer. You don’t have to lie your head off, just state the characteristics of the role that you like. For example, you can say you like working with cutting edge tech.
Explain the Fit
To make sure you answer “What’s your dream job?” right, explain how the current role fits in. Even if you’re at the start of your career and the job you’re applying for is entry level, you should try to make it sound like part of your career plan. For example, you can say you want to have your own business one day and that’s why you want to learn everything from the ground up, which this role will help with.
Emphasize the Future
Most interviewers are looking for candidates who will work for them long term. You don’t have to delve into every detail of your career plan but mention that you have long-term plans in this field. If you’re applying for a tech role, mention how technology is a passion and you keep up with all the developments because you truly love this field. Here, your dream job is a high-ranking role in the technology sector.
Include your Skills
If you want to make your answer to “What’s your dream job?” really work for you, try to include your skills. This is a great way to mention your strengths during the interview, especially if you haven’t been asked about them outright. For example, you could say you are analytical by nature, so data analysis and visualization are almost innate skills. Your dream job is then something in which you’re inherently talented.
Talk About Values
There’s a way to showcase your best while answering “What’s your dream job?” Including your values here shows the interviewer your motivations and your ethics. These are both great ways to show someone that you’d be a positive addition to their environment. For example, you could say you like the tech field because you appreciate the way it improves people’s lives and want to be part of that change.
We hope this short guide can help you answer “What’s your dream job?” during your next interview! If you’re looking for a suitable job, get in touch with us at HiCounselor. Our mentors prep you for interviews and help refine your resume while our robust job search program hunts the best jobs for you!
HiCounselor has forged technical advances to transform the hiring landscape for job seekers and recruiters alike. Our career accelerator program provides job seekers with coaching and mentorship from industry leaders employed at FAANG companies while recruiters ally with HiCounselor to empower their hiring strategy and hone in on the best candidates. Learn more about HiCounselor here and reach out to us on LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.
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