This question explores your motives for working. It asks whether you can be depended on to stay on at this job and work hard at it.
As always, your best approach is an honest one. I'm not encouraging you to reveal negative information, but you should be prepared to answer the employer's concern in a direct and positive way. Which issues are of concern to an employer depend on the details of your background.
For example:
- Will you be happy with the salary? (If not, might you leave?)
- Will you want to have a family? (If so, will you quit or cut your hours to raise children?)
- Do you have a history of leaving jobs after a short period of time? (If so, why won't you leave this one too?)
- Have you just moved to the area or do you appear to be a temporary or transient resident? (If so, you probably won't stay here long either, right?)
- Are you overqualified? (If so, what will keep you from going to a better job as soon as you find one?)
- Do you have the energy and commitment to advance in this job? (If not, who needs someone without energy and drive?)
- Might you appear to have some other reason to eventually become dissatisfied? (If so, the employer will certainly try to figure out what it is.)
Any of these factors, and others, can be of concern to an employer. If your situation presents an obvious problem, use the standard Three-Step Process for answering problem interview questions from chapter 1. If you feel you do not have any problem to defend, use steps #2 and #3 of the Three-Step Process to assure the employer that this is precisely the organization you want to stay with, grow with, and do well with for many years to come.
Sample Answer #1
This response is from a younger person or one just entering a new career:
"I realize I need to establish myself in this field and am eager to get started. I've thought about what I want to do and am very sure my skills are the right ones to do well in this career. For example, I am good at dealing with people. In one position, I provided services to over 1,000 different people a week. During the 18 months I was there, I served well over 72,000 customers and not once did I get a formal complaint. In fact, I was often complimented on the attention I gave them. There I learned that I enjoy public contact and am delighted at the idea of taking on this position for that reason. I want to learn more about the business and grow with it. As my contributions and value to the organization increase, I hope to be considered for more responsible positions."
The employer wants to know that you will stay on the job and work hard for your pay. This response addresses that concern and helps the employer feel more comfortable. (Note that this response could be based on work experiences gained in a fast-food job!)
Sample Answer #2
This response is for a person with gaps in work history or various shortterm
jobs:
"I've had a number of jobs (or one, or have been unemployed), and I have learned to value a good, stable position. The variety of my experiences is an asset because I have learned so many things I can now apply to this position. I am looking for a position where I can settle in, work hard, and stay put."
This response would be acceptable, but a better one would be a bit longer and include some proof of the job seeker's skills. The ideal place to introduce a story would have been right before the last sentence. Some positions, such as sales-oriented ones, require you to be ambitious and perhaps even a bit aggressive. Other jobs have requirements particular to the career field or specific organization. You can't always predict exactly what an employer might want, but you should have a good idea based on what skills that job requires. A good answer to this question tells the employer that you have what the position requires. You simply need to say so.