Have you been doing lots of interviews?

[Terp]

I'm a semester or so out of college and not currently working. In all my interviews where I've met many of the people I'd be working with, I've been asked (by supervisors, managers, VPs) "so, have you been doing a lot of interviews?"

I've always been honest with them. Is there a right or wrong answer?

 

[ctopher]

I have rarely heard that question. When I have, I tell them "A few". It's stops there.
What has been your answers and their responses?

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks Pro 06/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716

 

[proletariat]

I tell them "yes", but usually don't give them exact numbers. Let them assume the worst. If you tell them that they are the only one, then they will lowball you because you are desperate.

 

[ewh]

If you tell them that you have had a lot of interviews, they may feel that you weren't a good fit with the previous companies, and may be becoming desperate.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Either way, my answer would be, "I have had a few, but I am in no rush so am being very selective" ... and then ask them (with genuine curiosity) how the different answers to that question would affect the interview.


Helpful SW websites FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions FAQ559-1091

 

[Terp]

What has been your answers and their responses?

The first time I was asked I told the guy that I had done a few and been getting lots of interest, he just nodded. I told the VP that I hadn't been looking until recently, but had been having some success with local companies, he nodded and talked about why they like locals. I can't remember the other time.

I was never asked walking around the building, or by anyone I'd be working with regularly. It's always been in an office and by someone higher up in the company. Although they say it casually, I get the feeling from them that they care.

 

[sms]

The reason you got those responses is that the question is equivilant to "how are you today?" In the US at least if someone asks "How are you today?" The expected answer is fine, they don't really want to know that you had a traffic accident, your dog is sick, and your coming down with a cold, they expect to hear "fine thank you."

When an interviewer asks "have you been doing lots of interviews?" he or she is making small talk, and probably won't even pay attention to the answer. "A few" or "several" would be fine answers, a consise interview history would not.

Again it is just small talk, relax and don't worry about it, they are not trying to extract any real information.

-The future's so bright I gotta wear shades!

 

[Senselessticker]

I agree with sms. Its most likely small talk. However, the employer could be trying to get a feel for the demand factor of new grads. The question probably has little or nothing to do with you personally.

If the employer is interested in hiring you....he/she is not going to care how many interviews you've had. However, I recommend being honest with the answer regardless of the question.