Originally from the Philadelphia area, Suzanne was a college professor living in North Carolina. She decided to move back home to be closer to her aging father. She successfully passed the phone screening round with a prestigious University near Philly. The next round of interviews was scheduled for on campus.
Suzanne had an exhaustive two-hour interview with 12 faculty members after meeting with Human Resources. The positive outcome led to an invitation to a department picnic, signaling strong interest in her candidacy.
Enjoying the picnic, things seemed to be going well when one of the professors of the department approached her and casually exchanged pleasantries. He then asked “So, what is it that interests you about this position?” She enthusiastically responded “I was born and raised in this area and I am interested in relocating back home to be closer to my Dad.“ As the professor lifted his beer to take a drink, he slowly and clearly said “wrong answer”. She was confused and did not understand his response.
Can you figure out what went wrong? Suzanne did not receive an offer or an explanation. She asked me what happened and as we reviewed her interview, she told me about the party. It was crystal clear to me that she literally blew the interview when she gave the true motivation for the position; a relocation package. Her response at the picnic was not aligned with what the department was looking for. Instead of mentioning her personal reasons for wanting the position, she should have focused on her professional motivations and how she could contribute to the university.
What do you think a better response would have been? The “correct response“ should have included any or all of the following:
- I’m very excited about the possibility of joining this University and the department. The long history of excellence and the cutting-edge work being done here are both very appealing to me.
- I’ve done extensive research on the university’s programs and initiatives, and I believe that my background and expertise align well with the goals and values of this department.
- I’m eager to contribute to this university’s mission and bring my skills and experience to the team. I see this as a great opportunity to grow professionally, collaborate with talented colleagues, and make a meaningful impact in the field.
These responses highlight her enthusiasm for the university, her alignment with the department’s values, and her potential contributions, which are the kinds of things interviewers typically want to hear.
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