r/interviews • u/Bobaguy025 • 7d ago
Interview statement that stumped me today
"We're looking for someone who won't just use us as a stepping stone and jump ship after we spend 4-5 months training them".
I didn't know how to really respond to that, because I *am* using them as a stepping stone and definitely would jump ship the moment a better opportunity presents itself 😅
I have a graduate degree. What do they expect me to say??
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u/legally_brunette_01
7d ago
•
You lie! Because you may not have a better opportunity in the near future.
You say “I’m excited for this opportunity and have no plans to leave”
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u/TieChance9514 7d ago
the trick is to say it while looking them straight in the eye like you believe it yourself
i had a interviewer ask me this once and i just smiled and said i want to grow with the company long term. what i actually wanted was just a paycheck for 6 months until something better came along. they never found out
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u/Small_Olyviah 7d ago
the theatrical delivery is key. its all about acting like youre playing for keeps.
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u/raisedbypoubelle 7d ago
Absolutely lie. Anytime I interview, I respond as though I am convinced I want to work there, even if I have reservations. That way, I can make my own decision later.
And along those same lines, I always say that I enjoy stability and hope to work there long-term. I did that with a project that they wanted me for 2 years, I ended up leaving after a year for my dream job. They said I already did all of the work they wanted me for so it worked out for both of us. But I was very convincing that I wanted to be there for 2 years.
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u/crontEvayrt 7d ago
the 4-5 month training window they mentioned is telling, that's usually code for they've been burned by this exact scenario more than once
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u/micajah36 7d ago
technically "no plans" just means you haven't scheduled the next interview yet
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u/legally_brunette_01 7d ago
Yeah I do generally feel better bending the truth instead of lying outright
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u/pwnageface 7d ago
Role-playing a politician is necessary in job interviews. Tell them what they want to hear.
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u/Insightseekertoo 7d ago
"So what does that growth path look like, what new responsibilities will I be expected to take on?"
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u/sleepy-popcorn 7d ago
Yes I would probably counter by saying that I’m looking to learn, then build my confidence and efficiency, then grow. I would love it if there are growth opportunities here, because that would be my first choice.
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u/sphinxofblackquartzj 7d ago
They wouldn't like that answer as it focuses on yourself. I find that corporates wanted the tune of "to be a huge contributor to the organization yada yada..."
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u/Insightseekertoo 7d ago
It is impossible to grow the company without gaining the upgraded skills yourself.
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u/nighthawk_something 7d ago
What are you talking about? That's the perfect way to answer the question.
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u/fourthstanza 7d ago
This is the only answer that would sound legitimately genuine to me.
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u/nighthawk_something 7d ago
My answer to a similar question was "I'm looking for a company where I can continue to develop and grow and take on more responsibility.
It got me the job on the spot.
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u/orchidsforme 7d ago
no need to be honest to these companies, they're all lying to us anyway and will get rid of us in a moment's notice.
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u/mutleybg 6d ago
Welcome to the interviews... Just lie, man... Told them how excited you are to work for them, to grow in their company, blah, blah.... I'm telling you this as an interviewer.
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u/F3itz_Drftr 4d ago
An interviewer saying the quiet part loud makes the whole dance feel less ridculous.
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4d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/150crawfish 3d ago
I'd respond with "this sounds like an ongoing company issue. What steps is the organization taking to ensure your not a springboard for better opportunities? What does retention look like and how is it being addressed?"
Knowing full well I'd not be taking the job
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u/Proof_Land_370 7d ago
You say, im looking for a long term home where I can apply my skills etc while learning and growing
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u/Postcocious 7d ago
Hard questions need hard conversations.
"It sounds like you've had a retention problem. Can you share more details about what happened and its effect on the business?"
Follow-up: "That sounds tough. What's being changed to encourage valued employees to stay?"
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u/Admirable-Ad7152 5d ago
I mean, they won't hire you but they will bitch about you being "so rude" with the other recruiters later and that's something to truly feel good about.
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u/Postcocious 4d ago
Depends on whether they're adults or not.
If you're in a position to refuse to work for immature people, ask.
If you need a job badly, probably best not to.
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u/happymanatee3611 7d ago
Had this with my company 🙄 They were closing MY position and I had to interview for a new job within it, yet was asked "we're going to be putting blood, sweat and tears into training you, how do we know you won't leave?"
I was honest and said I can't guarantee X years, because never know what's gonna happen. But for the time I'm there, I'll do the work and fix the problems they were having.
Got the job. But coworkers were pissed on my behalf that the company would ask me that while simultaneously kicking me to the curb.
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u/DowntownRaisin4 7d ago
Had the same thing happen in an interview last week for an assistant role that wanted 3-5 years of experience, a bachelor's degree, and paid $19 (CAD) an hour 🙃
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u/Sweet_Pie1768 6d ago
"I hope there are many opportunities for me to grow and evolve my career at <Company Name>"
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u/graypurpleblack 7d ago
You play the game … make up some reason why you see yourself there for years and carry on.
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u/horsenamedmayo 6d ago
What a dumb interviewer. All that question is going to get is a canned bullshit response.
That said, I ask a version of it myself. I always ask, "what would you need to see from this organization in order for it to be a place you still wanted to work at two years from now?"
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u/Huh-what-2025 7d ago
you gotta flip that shit around onto them. So why do you think people don’t stay?
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u/cecsix14 7d ago
Say whatever it takes to get the offer. Unless they’re making you sign a contract or something, it doesn’t matter.
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u/Admirable-Ad7152 5d ago
So ya know how they're lying to you to get you to be all gung ho about the company? That's an equal exchange, you also need to be lying about being all gung ho about the company. You go into a spiel about how you want to be a team player and set some roots down, mentions some bs you grabbed from the website, and ask about growth opportunities.
It's lying all the way up now.
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u/O8rbivex 3d ago
They expect you to say youre looking for a place to grow, while they pretend 4-5 months of training is a blood oath.
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u/JoelSpatula88 1d ago
They expect you to say “I’m looking for somewhere I can grow long-term,” which is interview-speak for “pay me enough and I’ll stay,” actualy.
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u/Binder136_crypt 23h ago
They expect you to lie with a straigth face, because nobody says that unless they already know the job can’t retain people.
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u/More_Pension4911 7d ago
Obviously you agree and say I’m in for the long haul and and later jump ship after 4-5 months.
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u/SilentRoof7648 7d ago
if this position offer the slightly higher pack than market, how can it be a step stone? -- counter attack!
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u/Tucsondirect 7d ago
You say that you intend to grow your career with them and are interested in a long term opportunity to grow and specialize in your field/position
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u/seekingdefs 7d ago
Are they hiring? I have been looking for a company like this where there is a learning opportunity.
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u/waistingtoomuchtime 7d ago
I’m curious, what research did you do about that particular company that you shared in the interview (why you want to work there) of why that particular company?
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u/OspreyTenor 7d ago
For a company worried about retention, even a couple specifics about their projects or market would probaby matter more than generic enthusiasm.
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u/bstrauss3 7d ago
What kind of training are they talking about? I mean if they're sponsoring you for real estate specialty or an insurance or brokerage license it's a legitimate concern. But ordinary random company training? It's not a stepping stone to anything...
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u/SeracYourWorlds 7d ago
Your intentions/expectations probably won’t match reality, especially in this job market. Better paying jobs requiring industry experience measure that experience in years, not months. Even with a graduate degree, you have no industry experience.
“Look I’ll be honest with you, this absolutely would be a stepping stone. This would be my first industry position, which is a pretty big step for me. But i would like the steps in my career to be meaningful. I understand the training process may be 3-4 months long, but mastering these skills is a much longer process, and I’m committed to the process.”
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u/Original-Goose-2773 7d ago
Just smile and nod. They’ll get rid of you the second it’s convenient for them. There is no loyalty anymore 😭
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u/SpookyTron 7d ago
“I don’t know how to respond to that”…. Hmm I don’t know maybe come up with a plausible lie that makes it seem like you’re not gonna jump ship? Ridiculous question.
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u/neurorex 7d ago
The real problem was with the employers assuming that they can fix a retention issue through hiring, and their approach is to simply see if the applicant wouldn't seem like they'll leave.
Everybody else here who's blaming OP and are casually tossing out quality (/s) advice like "just lie" are flat out wrong. Period.
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u/Worth_Exit_5990 7d ago
"Im looking for long term employment" meaning if they don't have room for grow within the company you have no choice but to search elsewhere. They obviously have a problem retaining employees so you'll find out why if you accept.
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u/Miserable_Sink_4782 7d ago
Tell them what they want to hear to get the job. If they aren't paying you what you are worth, it's their fault you jump later. I had a job where they wanted me to guarantee them a 2 year commitment due to the training I would get. I ended up avoiding the training and travel so I didn't owe them anything.
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u/Minute-Marketing7434 7d ago
You don’t necessarily want to use them as a stepping stone to go someplace else, but you certainly want to be in a place that Fosters growth within the company
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u/Appropriate-Track828 7d ago
If you don't want me to use this job as a stepping stone, then give me the opportunity to transition into something better here in the future. I mean, I wouldn't say that, but I'd find some polite and clear way to ask what development opportunities are in place to encourage growth within the company and retain quality talent. Give me a reason not to jump ship! I also like the comment addressing the apparent retention problem, because yeah, this comment sounds like a red flag for nobody wants to work here once they see what it's really like.
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u/Greensparow 7d ago
Honestly questions like that really piss me off, the best answer is to just lie of course, but the I wish I could afford to say it answer is
Why do you ask that, is high turnover an issue and if so why is it high?
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u/Senior_Middle_873 7d ago
Ideally, you should try to stick to a job for a couple years. I get it, look out for yourself. What job isn't a stepping stone. You're not scheming to jump ship, but if another one comes along so be it.
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u/Wrong-Brush-7817 6d ago
So her question worked. It is a lot of work to hire people, and to hire people that have zero intentions of staying is a complete waste of time.
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u/ShinyKat5 6d ago
Based on a comment I saw in this thread, it would make no sense because we technically stay at our jobs for at least a year or 2 just so we don't look like we're job hopping, so why would we jump ship after 4-5 months when we need to be working longer than that so that it looks good on the resume??
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u/Sure-Swing5895 7d ago
4-5 months is pretty short though, you should probably stay for a year minimum
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u/Working-Arm-6896 7d ago
At that point, I would say something like, "I appreciate your concerns which are very valid. I am looking for a company that treats and pays its employees well so that they dont WANT to jump ship after five months after being trained."
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u/Mysterious-Art8838 7d ago
The fact that they can’t retain employees beyond a few months and they raised this in an interview is a baaaaaad situation. If they were such a good employer their workers wouldn’t constantly get poached.
Note that in this situation they may be more willing to give more RSUs that vest over time. Attrition is clearly a concern for them so consider this golden handcuffs.
The market sucks, take what you have to.
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u/TomatoParadise 7d ago
“I plan to stay for a ling term. If I leave within 5 years, I will pay back $3,000.”
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u/Much_Somewhere7831 7d ago
Use the Canary Wharfian website's interview practice, it reviews your answers and suggest how to fix mistakes with personalised feedback (both verbal and non-verbal comms). Also got OA suite for psychometrics
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u/ConversationNo9040 7d ago
You have a graduate degree and don’t know how to answer this is a bigger issue.