If you were?

Question

If you were an HR manager & asked the interviewee
"why did you choose XYZ(say engineering) as your course"

And the candidate replies:
The primary reason, I chose “XYZ” is because I love challenges and this course offers something to look forward to everyday, which makes it even more enjoyable. It helps me develop myself intellectually and to prepare for challenges ahead. Also, I am passionate about XYZ.

What do you think of the answer?How would you rate the candidate? what feedback would you have for him/her? Any ideas how it could be worded better?

Answer 1

deosn't explain WHY. yeah everything, in it's own way, is challenging or intriguing. that response essentially skirted around the question and gave an irrelevant answer. reason you should be saying why you chose your certain engineering path is what, about that particular field, as opposed to mechanical, electrical etc etc fascinated you the most? there would've have to have been something about XYZ that made you choose it over another field of study right? what was THAT reason? this is what they want to hear.
did you find it more in demand as a profession?
did you find out they make the most money?
did you see a future for yourself in that profession as opposed to another?
are you better with numbers and theories than you are with essays and papers?

they want to know the WHY, in depth, professionally speaking. not bcuz it was easier or looked pretty cool. incorporate your future desires and career goals into your response. how does this career field allow you to achieve your career goals. what was it about other fields of study that wouldn't let you reach your career goals?

Answer 2

It sounds very rehearsed and I would think that he was trying to give a "pat" answer that he thinks I would want to hear from a good candidate. To me that shows someone who cannot formulate an original idea and cannot think outside the box.
Try an answer that shows more of what you are trying to achieve by joining XYZ. Use examples relating to the company specifically that you obtained through careful research of the company beforehand. Show the Interviewer that you intend to contribute to the growth of the company and likewise grow with it as it does. This shows initiative, research, planning and a desire to make this company a long term commitment and not just a stepping stone to better things

Answer 3

I used to interview hundreds of people for various jobs and when i recieved a well rehearsed answer like the one you gave in the example, I would always, say "Thats great and Im sure it took you a long time to work that one out in a way that it was likey to please me however, it sounds like a rehearsed statement and what Im really looking for is someone who can readily an honestly express their own opinion and not just formulate an answer which you think is likely to please me. So shall we start again? relax and tell me in your own words as if we were great buddies sitiing having a drink together. Use your own relaxed words and talk to me a s a friend.
Your previous answer wouldnt have got you a second interview.

Answer 4

I'd think they gave a subpar response, probably what they were taught at school or online, and didn't really think it through OR were extremely nervous. I'd probe them some more....

Unless it's you. I am not going into engineering and know nothing about it except their calculators are quite fancy and expensive, they make sure bridges don't go *boom*. Research the company and gear your response more toward what you bring to the team, how their company interests you, not what they can do for you. Stand out.

Answer 5

It seems fairly rehearsed to me. Also, the same answer could be given about any field. The answer should be more specific about why that field in particular is of interest.

Answer 6

Does the term "blowing smoke up my ***" ring a bell?

Never give a canned answer. Speak how you feel, not from a script.