How to Answer “Are You Currently Interviewing Elsewhere?”

You landed an interview you’re really excited about. The company culture seems custom-made for you, and the position perfectly aligns with your career goals. Even better, you and the hiring manager seemed to hit it off right away.

But what do you do when they ask you about your job search? At first, when they ask if you’re applying with other companies, it may feel a bit invasive. But realistically, this is an excellent opportunity to help you land the job if you understand the question and motivation behind it.

You should take the time to prepare a response that highlights your interest in the role and your marketability. Use the following tips to form a winning answer.

Why Do Interviewers Ask if You’re Interviewing Elsewhere?

When hiring managers inquire about your job search, they look for a few critical pieces of information.

First, are you interviewing for any job that pops up regardless of title or industry? If so, there’s a good chance they’ll move on to a more dedicated applicant. However, suppose you’re applying for similar jobs that focus on a few different strengths. In that case, the hiring manager can get a feel for your complementary skills and interests.

When you have several interviews for similar positions, hiring managers see a purpose and intention in your job search. This emphasizes that you’re a professional on an intentional career path aligning with their needs.

And acknowledging that you’re actively interviewing can give recruiters and hiring managers a nudge. If you’re a great job fit, knowing you’re pursuing other opportunities can ensure a quick and lucrative offer before you get snatched up by their competition.

How to Answer “Are You Interviewing With Other Companies?”

When you’re putting together your answer to this question, there are a few key elements to keep in mind.

— Avoid the Urge to Overshare

While you want to emphasize that you’re seeking similar jobs, it’s not necessary to share the names of those companies or job titles. Instead, you can focus on the type of job you’re applying for, such as marketing or accounting jobs.

FlexJobs Career Expert Keith Spencer suggests “including a few reasons why the role you are currently interviewing for stands out from the other options.” He recommends that job seekers consider phrasing their answers with a focus on why the company interests them—highlighting their research and tailoring their responses for the role.

— Lead With Honesty

Since this is one of the first interactions with an employer you’re hoping to build a relationship with, honesty is always the best policy. But that doesn’t mean that you should blurt out “no” if you don’t have any interviews set up.

Spencer points out that quickly sharing your lack of interviews can raise some imagined or unjustified red flags in the minds of the recruiter. He advises job seekers that a negative answer can leave hiring managers wondering, “Why aren’t you interviewing elsewhere? Did we make a mistake bringing you into the interview process? Are we missing something about you that concerns others?”

Instead, you can state that you’re early in your job search and have been eagerly watching this particular company for a role that would fit your career development goals. Spencer advises job seekers to share a few positives about the company, demonstrating your research and desire to join the team. He refers to it as “bragging about them to them,” reinforcing your interest and excitement.

— Explain Your Motivations

If you’re not currently involved in a job search, you can be strategic in your answer to ensure that the hiring manager doesn’t feel like you’re wasting their time. Try phrasing a response sharing that, while you’re happy in your current role, you would leave for the ideal position that fits specific criteria.

— Practice Your Answers

Interviews are high-stress situations that can lead to rambling answers that miss the mark or divulge too much information. To ensure that you’re staying on track, enlist a friend, family member, or career coach to support you with a mock interview.

As you’re preparing, make notes to stay on target, but avoid trying to memorize them verbatim. Ask your practice interviewer to verify that you touched on the following:

Your answer was concise and didn’t go off topic.
You highlighted your interest in this specific role with this particular company.
Your answer conveyed that you have other prospects or plans to consider.
You maintained eye contact and positive body language.

To help you put together your answers, we’ve created a few samples to get your creative juices flowing.

3 Sample Answers for “Do You Have Other Interviews Scheduled?”

The way you respond to this question will vary slightly depending on your situation, but you should always answer honestly. Whether or not you have other interviews lined up, you can use this question as an opportunity to further explain why this particular role appeals to you. Below are some sample answers for three different scenarios.

1. When You Have Several Interviews Lined Up

“Yes, I have several opportunities I am currently considering with other software development companies. But this company is particularly attractive to me because of your work with small business clients and focus on sustainability, which are passions of mine.”

2. When You Don’t Have Any Other Interviews Currently Scheduled

“I’ve only recently launched my job search; this was the first interview I lined up. I’ve admired your company and always felt it aligned well with my personal values and interests. I was delighted to see a position open up that also matches my career goals.”

3. When You’re Not Actively Job Searching

“Actually, I’m not currently exploring other postings because I enjoy my current position. However, I have been considering pursuing the next stage of my career development, and when I saw this opportunity, I felt compelled to dive a bit deeper. After doing some in-depth research on your organization, I felt it aligned perfectly with my next career target.”

Getting Interview Assistance

Communicating your interest in a position while leveraging your marketability may seem daunting, but when you understand the intention behind the question and practice some simple responses, you can easily ace your interview.

If you want to excel in your next interview, FlexJobs offers an entire suite of career resources to support your flexible job search. Take the tour and discover everything a FlexJobs membership has to offer.

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