"Passion" in Work

[senordesol]

I do not like that expression. It's dehumanizing.

At this point all you are to them is a resume so...yeah, obviously.

Maybe. But maybe, to get the right answer, you have to ask the right question...

Beginner's trap. It's not your boss' job to accommodate you, it's your job to anticipate your employer's needs.

Fair enough for your case, but I'll note that it looks to me that it really depends on just where "here" is.

It will always depend, but the fact remains that of all the places you could have applied; you applied 'here'. By extension, there must be a reason.

 

[Vegosiux]

Beginner's trap. It's not your boss' job to accommodate you, it's your job to anticipate your employer's needs.

If I apply for a job, I apply on the basis of the information I have about it, not on what I think kind of sort of might or might not be written between the lines. And I don't apply for a job in order to make impressions, I apply for a job because I want to get shit done there, to the point and without distractions. I prefer to focus on doing what I'm supposed to do well, rather than looking good at whatever I'm doing (though yes, I can put up an act too, but that goes directly against my work ethic which is "focus on doing this properly").

It will always depend, but the fact remains that of all the places you could have applied; you applied 'here'. By extension, there must be a reason.

If "here" is a minimum wage job with no skills required, chances are, "here" isn't the only place I applied. If, however, it's an opening that requires a specific set of skills and can't be done by just anyone, then I applied because I'm quite confident I can do it. If it's a job that involves "people skills" I'll likely not apply at all, because I'm not a people person at all, but I'll still be a tad ticked if the only time ever I'll need "people skills" in it is to satisfy the whims of whoever's interviewing me.

I mean, okay, I get it that there's a need to do a proper screening, but I guess I just ran into people adopting the entire "I am the master of your fate now" shtick one time too many.

Luckily, I in the end got a job through showing what I can do as opposed to what shit I can make up on the spot to make myself look good.

 

[senordesol]

If I apply for a job, I apply on the basis of the information I have about it, not on what I think kind of sort of might or might not be written between the lines. And I don't apply for a job in order to make impressions, I apply for a job because I want to get shit done there, to the point and without distractions. I prefer to focus on doing what I'm supposed to do well, rather than looking good at whatever I'm doing (though yes, I can put up an act too, but that goes directly against my work ethic which is "focus on doing this properly").

That's a pretty poor attitude. Most of the recruiters and managers I've met wouldn't be quick to hire someone like that (if such an attitude came across in the interview).

"I don't apply to make an impression" = "I don't care if I get along with you, the person hiring me."
"I want to get shit done there, to the point and without distractions" = "If distractions arise, or if I'm asked to do something beyond the scope of my job description; I'm going to create problems for you"
"I prefer to focus on doing what I'm supposed to do well, rather than looking good at whatever I'm doing" = "I only care about my personal metric for good performance, not the company's"

Those would be major red flags to me, it's indicative of someone who's not interested in working as a team to make sure the company succeeds.

If "here" is a minimum wage job with no skills required, chances are, "here" isn't the only place I applied. If, however, it's an opening that requires a specific set of skills and can't be done by just anyone, then I applied because I'm quite confident I can do it. If it's a job that involves "people skills" I'll likely not apply at all, because I'm not a people person at all, but I'll still be a tad ticked if the only time ever I'll need "people skills" in it is to satisfy the whims of whoever's interviewing me.

I mean, okay, I get it that there's a need to do a proper screening, but I guess I just ran into people adopting the entire "I am the master of your fate now" shtick one time too many.

Luckily, I in the end got a job through showing what I can do as opposed to what shit I can make up on the spot to make myself look good.

Again, if you're in the interview; you've already qualified on a technical level. However, 'people skills' are probably going to be necessary to some degree no matter where you apply. If your co-workers hate you; you're a drain on morale. If your work doesn't make your manager look good, he's got no reason to invest in your continued employment if times get tough. If your ambitions are drifting and aimless, then no one's going to be sure what your long-term prospects are going to be.

Business and managing is all about the ability to plan. When I interview someone, one of the deciding factors for a hire is 'would I be okay with this guy doing what I do someday (or, at the very least, advancing)?' Someone who sets out to impress me from the very start will probably end up on the short list, someone who's clearly in it for the check probably won't.

 

[Raikas]

If "here" is a minimum wage job with no skills required, chances are, "here" isn't the only place I applied.

True, and they'll presumably be aware of that, but at the same time the interviewee should have some kind of positive opinion on the place - even in entry-level retail and fast food a person can talk about potential for advancement or on-the-job training or even a fondness for the product you're selling.

I ran training for new-hires in a call centre for a year, and while that kind of job might be few people's dream job, the most successful people were never the ones who focused on that - people who were focusing on the positive elements usually turned out better, so it makes sense to want to ask questions that will give some indication of that quality in a potential employee.

 

[Vegosiux]

"I want to get shit done there, to the point and without distractions" = "If distractions arise, or if I'm asked to do something beyond the scope of my job description; I'm going to create problems for you"

Yes, distractions happen, things go wrong, unexpected surprises come up. Can't be helped. When that happens, I'll likely be thinking how to solve the issues at hand, however, not how to glaze over them, I'll write up a report and/or explain the details in person once that's done.

But in the end, you're not hiring me for my looks or for my ability to spin a story (unless that's what the job is about).

 

[Yopaz]

I have once applied to a job because I was genuinely passionate about it. Now I was inexperienced so I didn't get the job. Then another time I said I was looking to gain experience and that was to my current employer. I don't really mind the question because it's a question that I can anticipate and prepare for.

 

[senordesol]

"I want to get shit done there, to the point and without distractions" = "If distractions arise, or if I'm asked to do something beyond the scope of my job description; I'm going to create problems for you"

Yes, distractions happen, things go wrong, unexpected surprises come up. Can't be helped. When that happens, I'll likely be thinking how to solve the issues at hand, however, not how to glaze over them, I'll write up a report and/or explain the details in person once that's done.

But in the end, you're not hiring me for my looks or for my ability to spin a story (unless that's what the job is about).

You're right. I'd be hiring you for your ability to perform AND your ability to convince me that you'll be an enthusiastic and well-liked member of staff.

 

[TaboriHK]

So while going through the joys of looking for a new job again, I keep running into the one question/attitude that keeps dogging me and annoying the piss out of my when I have to answer it:

"Why do you want to work here?" "Why do you think you're a match for this position?" Or some variant of that flavor of question.

Why? Because I need money, and you have money. You need things done and I'm capable of doing said things. Is this not good enough?

I never really had a "passion" for anything. Work is work is work. It puts food on my table, allows me to go do something I want to do occasionally and occupies my day so I actually do something semi-productive. The only preference I have for work is "How difficult is it?" and "How much does it pay/provide?"

But the recruitment agencies and interviewers always make a big about jobs being a "match" or "the right fit".

Combined with the ridiculous requirements some places list for jobs (I've seen an entry level position requiring 8 years of prior experience while looking recently) its a wonder anyone ever gets hired for anything.

It's because when you have a bunch of people who have no interest in doing beyond what they were literally hired to do, it's hard to build a good atmosphere. I'll take someone who's happy to be there but isn't the best over someone who is perfect and a robot.

 

[SKBPinkie]

Man, if you think that's a BS question, what do you think about "What's your biggest weakness?"

Now that's a garbage question, cause no one will ever say something real like motivational problems, bouts of depression, anxiety issues, chronic masturbation, etc. It's obviously gonna be a rehearsed bullshit response that's clearly designed to sound like a strength more than an actual, honest-to-god weakness.

Captcha - that's enough!

You're goddamn right, captcha.

 

[Vegosiux]

Man, if you think that's a BS question, what do you think about "What's your biggest weakness?"

Now that's a garbage question, cause no one will ever say something real like motivational problems, bouts of depression, anxiety issues, chronic masturbation, etc. It's obviously gonna be a rehearsed bullshit response that's clearly designed to sound like a strength more than an actual, honest-to-god weakness.

Pretty much. My favorite one is "I tend to be too much of a perfectionist sometimes." But I think it's a good thing if people come in with rehearsed bullshit responses to questions like that.

Now of course, the interviewer may be crafty and measuring "honesty" instead, but...well, I am too much of a perfectionist sometimes.

 

[Paragon Fury]

Man, if you think that's a BS question, what do you think about "What's your biggest weakness?"

Now that's a garbage question, cause no one will ever say something real like motivational problems, bouts of depression, anxiety issues, chronic masturbation, etc. It's obviously gonna be a rehearsed bullshit response that's clearly designed to sound like a strength more than an actual, honest-to-god weakness.

Captcha - that's enough!

You're goddamn right, captcha.

That is a bit a of pain question too, yeah.

 

[Unia]

Ugh, in the same position and I hate the question with a passion (ba-dum-tish). Doesn't help I have no experience and am chronically depressed. Job interviews in general are a twisted ritual song-and-dance routine with usually fuck all relevance to the daily work. If someone pulled out a psychological test on top of that I think I might just get up and walk away, having lost all respect to the hiring establishment.

My personal bugbear is the question "Where do you see yourself in X years?" Well sir/madam, I am not clairvoyant and if you're looking for such a person this position will never get filled. I'm too depressed to have aspirations and too pessimistic to say them out loud even if I did have them. The less plans you have the less universe has to crap over.

I have the social intelligence not to say any of that out loud of course. Fact is being able to support myself financially goes a long way towards having some sort of self-esteem so if someone is paying me to do something I bloody well will.

 

[eatenbyagrue]

As someone who has conducted interviews and has asked (and been asked) this question, my answer for you is this:

I know you're doing it for the money. I know you feel confident that you're technically capable of doing the job. What I'm gauging is your attitude. Are you the sort of person who's going to ***** about staying late? Are you the sort of person who's going to ditch the instant a better opportunity comes along? Are you interested in getting better at what you do? Is there somewhere outside of the applicable position I might be able to put you later? I want to get a sense of your hopes and aspirations without you getting into a long-winded speech about how you want to be an artist and just need the money to pay the bills before you make it big at the gallery.

Hiring and replacing people is a major pain in the ass in terms of paperwork, training, establishing work pace, setting up benefits, building access, and providing equipment. So once you do it, you want to be reasonably assured that you're not going to have to do again for a while; and the best way to do that is to gauge an applicant's attitude as well as aptitude.

Funny, I thought the question was more of trying to gauge how applicants answer questions. Like, "I'm going to ask you a question that I know there's no good answer to, just to see how you handle it."

 

[Sexual Harassment Panda]

I got asked that question at one interview. I said I wanted/needed money. They then gave me a job.

Honesty is the best policy, except for when it's not.

 

[duwenbasden]

To me it really depends on who is interviewing you. If it is the 1st interview, it will most likely be HR, so yes, do the perfect "bullshit everything" thing, especially if said HR is in another city. Senior management also responds better to those qualities, ie use buzzwords that literally means nothing/anything: "passionate", "hard working", "objective oriented", "think outside the box".

However, the closer you are to landing the job, the closer in location, seniority, and work type the interviewers' will become. The final interview will usually be done by your potential coworkers, so it is now a good time to NOT do any of the above. Keep yourself honest, because if you got the job any lies will be seen, and you can be reasonably sure your coworkers are here for the same reason you are.

 

[Eclipse Dragon]

This is an interesting thread.
At least judging by the responses so far, the "right" answer may very well be the wrong answer, or the "wrong" answer may be the right one. It depends completely on what exactly the interviewer is looking for when they ask the question.

-If they're looking for honesty over bullshitting and you say "money", congratulations, you've answered correctly.
-If they're looking for creativity or a little ambition over the response they already know you have, you've answered wrong.
-If they're trying to gauge how well you answer loaded questions, it could go either way.

I would imagine your best bet would be to not give the answer that first pops into your head "money", but also not give an answer that sounds completely rehearsed. I really don't think they'd much appreciate it if you lied to their face and got caught in the lie, be it during the interview or later on after you've gotten the job.

My boss once asked me what I thought about using another artists work as my own in order to "get a foot in the door",
I said "no sir, that's plagiarism" to which he replied "It would just be to get the interview, you wouldn't actually be selling it.", to which I said "No because they'd expect you to perform to those standards and you wouldn't be able to do so." Which wasn't a canned response, I wasn't asked that question in an interview, it was just conversation that came up when we'd heard about stories like it. Regardless though, he liked the answer and it was my honest opinion.

 

[Kopikatsu]

Man, if you think that's a BS question, what do you think about "What's your biggest weakness?"

Now that's a garbage question, cause no one will ever say something real like motivational problems, bouts of depression, anxiety issues, chronic masturbation, etc. It's obviously gonna be a rehearsed bullshit response that's clearly designed to sound like a strength more than an actual, honest-to-god weakness.

Captcha - that's enough!

You're goddamn right, captcha.

I actually had a difficult time getting a job because I'm pretty anti-social. For my previous job, the interviewer asked me what I thought my greatest weakness was (This was for a sales position where you spent most of the day talking to people). I said my biggest weakness was my inability to properly express emotion because I'm an incredibly stoic individual to the point where I'm incapable of making certain facial expressions simply because I don't know how.

Somehow I got the job. Which made no sense to me, but there you go.

 

[senordesol]

As someone who has conducted interviews and has asked (and been asked) this question, my answer for you is this:

I know you're doing it for the money. I know you feel confident that you're technically capable of doing the job. What I'm gauging is your attitude. Are you the sort of person who's going to ***** about staying late? Are you the sort of person who's going to ditch the instant a better opportunity comes along? Are you interested in getting better at what you do? Is there somewhere outside of the applicable position I might be able to put you later? I want to get a sense of your hopes and aspirations without you getting into a long-winded speech about how you want to be an artist and just need the money to pay the bills before you make it big at the gallery.

Hiring and replacing people is a major pain in the ass in terms of paperwork, training, establishing work pace, setting up benefits, building access, and providing equipment. So once you do it, you want to be reasonably assured that you're not going to have to do again for a while; and the best way to do that is to gauge an applicant's attitude as well as aptitude.

Funny, I thought the question was more of trying to gauge how applicants answer questions. Like, "I'm going to ask you a question that I know there's no good answer to, just to see how you handle it."

Not really. There are *good* answers to that question. I mean testing someone *just* for the sake of testing them is not that useful to the interview process. You can't really judge an applicant just because they scuff a trick question.

 

[Someone Depressing]

My first job, I did because I wanted to get used to working. It was just part time, on weekends and various holidays, so it wasn't exactly a luxury.

But it was 1/3 of what my mother earned, so it helped her.

Honestly, work's work, as you say it. Passion's a term that gets overused when it comes to occupation, adn some people work... because it's work, and they have to.