I had a friend run into this recently. During an interview, she was asked how long she planned to stay at the job if she was hired. She kind of felt put on the spot, and I told her I didn't think that was a very appropiate question. She had planned to stay for a while and be a dedicated employee, but she felt awkward answering the question, and I would have to.
Did the employer overstep a boundary here? I personally think they did. What if you got the job, and then left six months later because you realized that you hated it? That's not your fault, and I would hope they wouldn't bring up the "how long" interview question when you left. Leaving a company is usually the employees perogitive, and you don't have to give specific reasons when you leave, unless it says so in any contracts you sign when you come aboard.
Any comments?
2007-03-30 05:24:04 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment
No its not inappropriate, but it was worded wrong. If the employer wants to fill a position for a certain length of time then they need to inform all the applicants that they expect the person hired to be able to commit at least X number of months or at least X number of years to the company with promotion considerations...
unless it goes into a contract, in writing, then there is no obligation to the applicant and there is no such thing as a verbal contract anymore., don't let anyone fool you. If its not in writing then it DID NOT HAPPEN. and don't forget that most employers are starting to do employment at will...
2007-03-30 05:41:14 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sure every potential employers understands that you cannot totally predict the future and that things come up. I don't necessarily think they overstepped the boundries as they only asked how long you PLAN on staying.
What if you said, we'll, I'm going to work for at least two years because I'm on the waiting list for nursing school. That may be fine with the employer as they have advanced notice and can plan for something a few years out.
Saying you plan on staying somewhere isn't the same as promising. But you don't even know the right answer either. Say the manager knows this is a total dead end job and people burn out after a year or so. Here you come saying you plan on retiring here. That tells her you are looking for more than the job can offer. But if you say, 'I'm on an 18 -24 month waiting list for nursing school and I need something to fill in' may signal that you are exactly the right person for the job. You just never know.
It's best to be honest and answer the question.
2007-03-30 05:33:48 · answer #2 · answered by Fancy That 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
An employer can ask whatever they want in an interview as long as it's used for legal reasoning of hiring or not hiring a person. The employer was totally in their rights to ask that. In fact that is a very common question asked for retail, restaurant and call center jobs. If your friend is still new to the job market (less than 5 years experience) or has a non-loyal history they are well within their rights to ask that question. I takes almost a year to train most people properly and if your friend answered one year, they wouldn't be getting their investment back.
And if you leave a company after six months becuase you don't like it? You should have asked more questions of the company in the interview. Take your career seriously, make sure you will enjoy what you do for the long haul. Don't place this all on the employer.
The proper answer to this question by the way is "I plan to stay here as long as I am considered a valuable contributor."
2007-03-30 05:32:08 · answer #3 · answered by zeebarista 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As an employer, it's nice to know how long you can expect this person to stay around. It takes time to train in a new employee. Why bother with the person if they don't plan on staying for a while?
It is a common question asked and on the employment application.
2007-03-30 05:29:36 · answer #4 · answered by karr1213 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think it's relatively okay to ask how long you than to stay b/c some people don't put in their 2 weeks as usual. it could be crucial to the company that one person just up and leaving. what if the hiring process is long and drawn out or if the people working in the the positions are hard to come by. that could be a huge problem. so in all actuality the employer had every right to ask her. he/she was looking out for the best interest in the company.apparently she gave the right answer b/c she got hired.. & unless i only wanted aperson for a short period of time, i wouldn't wan to hire anyone who didn't have plans on sticking around.
2007-03-30 05:32:24 · answer #5 · answered by MiZ BeNZ 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is a perfectly reasonable and legal question. The company is probably looking for someone to make a career out of her position. They don't want to hire someone, train them, and have them leave after just a few months, it's very expensive for companies to do that.
Everyone knows that people get jobs, do them for a while, and move on. But it is not unreasonable to hope that a potential candidate is looking for a long term position as opposed to a short term position.
2007-03-30 05:32:21 · answer #6 · answered by ZCT 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a question that is 100% legal to ask. And it's asked, not for the answer, but to see the person's reaction. No one is going to say "no, I'm here just for a few months."
This is not a contract (verbal or otherwise) to stay at the job for any period of time.
The answer to the question is a simple "I'm looking for a career." Nothing more.
2007-03-30 05:34:21 · answer #7 · answered by Jay 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm a job hopper. That shows on my resume. Some jobs I left because they were not good fits for me, others I left due to downsizing.
I get asked that question quite often during interviews. My standard response is "I'm looking for longevity with the right company."
You are right, there is no good way to answer that question.
2007-03-30 05:31:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most places ask you that question during an interview, so it doesnt bother me. If they asked me, I would say as long as i can and the employer wouldnt really care and if you decide to leave later on, you still can...that question is not going to be held against you if you decide to quit or leave...
2007-03-30 05:34:13 · answer #9 · answered by sQuIdWeEzY 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I'm hiring you and you are planning on leaving in 6 months to have a baby or go to school. it will factor into my thinking and will make deciding if i want you on my staff easier. I need to have an idea of what my staff turnover is going to be like; also to be fair to the people working there so that i can keep adequate staff and not force them to work hours they don't want as a result of staff shortages.
Of course I can ask; there is no rule you have to tell me anything but what I want to hear.
2007-03-30 05:28:28 · answer #10 · answered by wizjp 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋