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I don’t understand your point. The interviewer asks that question to understand why does the candidate think the position is a good fit for them. If you don’t think that it is a particularly good fit for you, you just need a job, that is information for the interviewer. They receive a hundred applications and have to pick a good one. Can you imagine that there are other candidates who actually have a really good reason why they applied for this particular position?
I think OP is frustrated with the we're-both-bullshitting-each-other-and-we-both-know-it thing. Even if a candidate doesn't think they're a good fit, they're not going to come out and say it. And if the candidate asks a question about work culture at the company, the interviewer is going to give the best possible answer, even though it's probably bullshit. So we all have to lie through our teeth and say things like "it's always been my dream to work here" (even though I didn't know the company existed a month ago) even though we all know what's really going on.
Being able to be honest--really, truly honest, about more than just pay expectations--is a privilege that you only get when you're at a senior level (and sometimes not even then).
Saying something obviously fake like "it's always been my dream to work here" is a bad idea, unless it's a prestigious company where that could be true. The question is actually a good opportunity for the candidate to show off something if they want to, without being too awkward if they don't.
You can say you've done research into the company online and are impressed by the work-life balance/leadership/worker loyalty/innovation. Sincere interest is not only flattering, it also makes you look thorough and driven. You can say you were recommended to apply by someone you know who has a connection. You can also give them some idea of what you are expecting, which can potentially save time if it's not actually what they are offering. I had a friend get redirected to applying to a better position than what had been listed like this.
And if you truly are not a good fit, you can actually address that your previous experience doesn't directly apply by saying something like "I'm looking for a change" rather than trying to dance around it for the entire interview. If your interviewer has any familiarity with the role, you won't be able to trick them into thinking unrelated experience makes you well-qualified. And when that's the case, acknowledging it early makes it much less awkward by establishing expectations appropriately. Basically, you have to be careful to limit your lies to things you can actually sell.
I lucked out on my last interview. I could honestly say that not only is it a job I would love to have, but I was uniquely qualified to do it ("uniquely" is probably overstating it, but the job duties lined up 100% with my experience and interests). The only thing I couldn't say is who the hell the company was because it's a startup, but I have never been able to articulate so clearly that I'm perfect for a job and it is perfect for me.
I have always been able to talk myself up to be a good fit for a role, but honestly it's normally just "I have built lots of business software. You are, in fact, a business."
I had a company reach out to me once. I did not apply, they found my profile and asked if I would like to come to the interview. First question "why would I like to work for them"... I don't know, WOULD I? You called me, it's your job to tell me why, I just agreed to give you a chance.
After reading what I wrote, I do admit I wasn't saying the exact question I get annoyed with. It's when I am asked what brought me to apply specifically to that company. And it's rather difficult to come up with a better answer than the truth of I have 40 applications this week alone, you were one of them.
I agree, “why did you apply” is a silly way to phrase that question.
So come up with a line ahead of time. It's all bullshit anyways. Try to find the tune they want the monkey to dance to during the interview.
If you want to know why they think they are a good fit, then ask them why they think they are a good fit. Trying to figure out if they are a good fit by asking them a totally different question just seems crazy to me.
Good idea. Next time you apply for a job and get interviewed, send them the list of your approved questions, and clarify that you are not able to understand or willing to answer any questions that are not on your list. It will help make them understand that you are too smart for their stupid recruiters and managers.
I'm not telling you what you can or can't ask. I'm suggesting you be more direct in your questions. There's no need to play games and hope they just happen to answer a question you didn't actually ask.
Also, there's no need to act like an ass.
No, the interviewer is either lazy, incompetent or inexperienced. A decent interviewer doesn't ask this question.