You will almost always be asked why you want the job, and money is implicitly understood for everyone that applies to the position. Don't bother mentioning it, it will only hurt your chances. IMO the way to answer that question is to link the job to your ambitions i.e. as a stepping stone, or your past experiences as a logical continuation and your capacity to be an asset, and finally any other motivations you can think of.
this post was submitted on 12 Jun 2025
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This is a good thing to say in a sales interview of any type. Don't say you need the money, but that you are highly self motivated to perform and set high compensation goals and expectations for yourself. Then ask them if their comp plan has a bonus ceiling for high performers. It will have one of some type so then look concerned and ask "How often do you see your very top performers hitting that"?
You're hired.
Just feed them the bullshit they want to hear. Its all bullshit the whole way down anyway.
I don't think anyone asked me that question phrased specifically like that. It's usually "what do you find appealing about our company".
But I was asked another stereotypical one - what my biggest flaw is. Apparently my answer is considered a good one "of course I have flaws but I'm on a job interview, I'm not going to tell it here"
No? Not if you actually want the job.
Think about it this way, if you're interviewing someone for a job, it's obvious they are there for the money.
If the most creative thing they can think of to answer that question is "Money" then their critical thinking skills are pretty much zero, and further they are a liability because who knows what either dumb stuff they will say, possibly to the wrong person.
If the most creative thing they can think of to answer that question is "Money" then their critical thinking skills are pretty much zero,
Yes. If the candidate thinks acting out a post they saw on Reddit adds something to the interview, they're probably gonna make poor choices as an employee.
I have gotten 2 of my jobs with the answer that I could give them a lot of fancieful answers but the truth is that I would be good at the job and that they were offering pay at a level I was happy with. It probably depends on the job you are applying for but sometimes being honest a d straight forward helps
Asking such questions should be a red flag. There is a lot of research on interviews and that question isn't on anyone's list of useful questions. If they would waste your time asking that do you really want to work there?
Lol wut? Like every company asks that question.
I think you and @bluGill@fedia.io should state where you're from. I feel like this is an American phenomenon people in eg Europe never encounter.
I've never been asked this question either in Germany. The closest equivalent was being asked what I know about the company. And what I wanted to know beyond that. Maybe why I'm switching jobs.
But never why I'm applying. If I were ever asked that question I would end the interview there because it would be a red flag to not work there. It shows a severe lack of understanding of the whole process. And if they started wasting my time with such a useless and mundane question chances would be great that other parts of the job would be equally nonsensical.
i've never had it asked of me so not every company. I wouldn't be surprised if most ask though. That they asks shows they don't care about getting good people by enough to figure out what questions are worth asking. Are you sure you want to work for that kind of place?
No but everyone asks it. So at this point I would assume it's a standard question that you'll be asked.
We were born into a system that requires that we make money if we want to participate. Hopefully the means of doing so has at least some desirability beyond that, even if only "this line of effort seems interesting enough that I wont constantly fantasize about stepping in front of a fast moving bus, and thus ruining its driver's money making obligation too."
The closest I ever got was saying something like that at customs. The Border guard asked me "Why are you coming to the US?" and it was 3 years into Trump's first term and all I could think of was "Because they pay me to." He laughed and waved me through.
If I am in the midst of an interview, I don't know if I want the job yet. That's what I'm there to figure out. So I would take this question as an opportunity to outline what I am looking for in a job.
Obviously total compensation is a big part of it, but there are other aspects too. Is the position in-office/remote/hybrid? How flexible are work hours? Is the culture more competitive or collaborative? How is success measured (and rewarded) for this role? How would this job advance my career goals? Lay out what's important to you and ask questions.
If you're early in your career, you might not have a handle on what you want yet. That's okay; it's totally valid to say that you are still figuring things out and are open to whatever experience the job can provide. If nothing else, you might want to ask about mobility within the company--how often does the company promote from within, or allow people to change roles? Does the company have a reimbursement program for job-related training and education?
Even if you are only looking for a pay cheque, you'd be open to transitioning to a new role for more money, right? So highlight up front that you're looking for a position at a company where you will have opportunities to grow.
Never done that. You should focus as much as possible on the value you bring to the organization.
No cause if you were actually going to be honest you'd tell them you don't want the job, but you need the money.
Did this once. Interview was only 10 minutes long and they called me to tell me they were hiring me 20 minutes later 🤷♀️
If you're a student, applying for a student job it may work, but afterwards try something else it's close from home, or I want to build experience in that field