This 'Fatal' Interview Answer Is An Instant Job Disqualifier

Walking into the interview room is an activity that people do far more often than they'd like. The typical American changes jobs a little over every four years, according to the BLS, with younger Americans undertaking it even more frequently. The churn has become so constant that there's even an objective 'best time of the year' to seek out new work. Part of the reason for such churn within the employment world certainly has to do with the trend that many companies don't value employee loyalty anymore. However, plenty of other reasons can factor into a jobseeker's decision to move on from an existing employment relationship. Like it or not, the task of seeking out a new place to work means stepping into an interview, and talking about experience, qualifications, and the job itself.

During the interview, there are some major employer red flags that you'll want to look out for; including benefits that only focus on 'community' or 'fun' aspects. But just as you're examining a workplace to see if the company fits your needs, your body language, answers, and more can land you the job or sink your chances. One particular answer is a uniquely sneaky poison pill. Telling an interviewer about your entrepreneurial aspirations is actually a fatal mistake disguised as a positive work ethic. The desire to start your own business in the future isn't something you should share with an interviewer, but this is only one variant of the answer that interviewees should keep close to their chests.

A common interview question involves your idealized future. This might come in the form of: "Where do you see yourself in five years?" This question is designed to cast light on your ambitions and motivations. A company wants to know what kind of person they're hiring, and a glimpse into the hopes and dreams of an interviewee can help. You might be tempted to go into detail about the plans you have to launch your own company one day. It's easy to see how this could naturally show you're a self-starter, that you're ambitious and hard working, and have an internal drive to succeed. Those qualities may all be true, but if you answer a question about your future in a way that eliminates the company you're considering working for today, what you're really saying is that the business is a waypoint, not a long-term partner.

Imagine instead that you're talking about future plans with a date — and launch into a diatribe about how you want to sign up for a mission to Mars and head away forever. Yes you've got big dreams, but it undeniably suggests that you don't see a shared future with the person sitting across the table. Similarly, an interviewer might question that you don't even have the job yet and are already planning your next move. This same logic applies to things like relocation plans that might cut short your tenure at a prospective company, or goals like ultra-early retirement. Replacing an employee can cost companies 50%-200% of the yearly salary for that role. So it's only logical that companies prefer to hire recruits who're planning to stick around.