Should I interview for a position I am not sure I want and may not accept if offered?

24 Comments

1. AnonymousFebruary 19,2023 at 11:10PM UTC

   Why not? I say go for it. You may surprise yourself and find out when interviewing that you actually do want the position. If nothing else, its necessary practice.

2. Reika MalliettFebruary 19,2023 at 11:41PM UTC

   You may found out some interesting that does make you want to work there, so you don't really know unless you attend that interview

3. Becca A.February 20,2023 at 12:03AM UTC

   Why not? Just use it as target practice to sharpen and hone your interviewing skills. If anything, the removed pressure that comes with "wanting the job 100%" will allow you to relax more and be free exploring other way to best present yourself. Since you will not be worried about, "messing up"

   Hey, if recruiters can use some interviewers as target practice, why cant we?

   Do it and let us know how it goes!

4. AnonymousFebruary 20,2023 at 1:01AM UTC

   I'm in the same boat. After passing the HR screen, and then the hiring manager screen, they scheduled me for 4 more interviews with various manager and director level and VP. The last of these is on Tuesday. The reason I went along is because I'm 60 and have been out of work 5 months now. Only had one other company do an HR screen and that went nowhere. Don't really want the job as written because I can only excel at 50% of what's on the job description. This is a role with a large consulting organization and the primary turnoff for me is the travel requirement. But I'm not in a position to be picky in fact just the opposite, desperate to find a job. Not sure what I'll do if offered the position.

5. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistFebruary 20,2023 at 2:00AM UTC

   So up to now have you only been interviewing for positions that you were sure you wanted and would accept if offered?

   How could you know that before you interviewed?

   I don't see how you're supposed to be sure you want a position before you interview for it.

   If you know 100% that there is no way you would ever be interested, I would not recommend you interview. You may be interested in another position at that company in the future. And I don't see a reason to be on record turning down a position you were not open to. That's not a good look for anyone.

   I'm a big believer in saying yes (within reason) to everything - you can always say no later.

   If you're going to interview, I would highly recommend you show interest in both the company and the position.

   Personally, some of my favorite positions I've ever had have been roles the company or a recruiter reached out to me about. In retrospect, I don't know if I would have applied to them, but they turned out to be pleasant surprises where I learned a lot and had a great experience.

   Good luck!

6. Carol SuggsFebruary 20,2023 at 3:11AM UTC

   I think you need to ask yourself why are you thinking of applying for the position? Are you doing it to keep your interview skills sharp? Curious about the position and whether it might be a good fit? Feeling under appreciated at your current position and need a boost? All valid reasons for interviewing!

7. Barb HansenFebruary 20,2023 at 5:20AM UTC

   You can certainly interview for a job that you're unsure you'll take.

   I wouldn't fake enthusiasm, but I would be professional, as I'm sure you would be as well.

   The interview is worth doing if you think you'll gain something from the interview:

   -- perhaps you'll be intrigued by the position after you talk to the recruiter (or hiring manager)

   -- you want or need interview "practice"

   -- you're curious to learn more about the company. You may not want this particular job but you might be a good fit for another job at this company.

   The interview is not worth doing if the time you spend preparing and doing the interview is going to be an annoyance to you or take time from other things you need or want to do.

8. SwethaFebruary 20,2023 at 12:39PM UTC

   I have been saying this to myself, and will say this to you too: do not get emotionally invested and tied up in something that's not yours yet.
   Let's not forget that the layoffs that affected so many people weren't really the case of companies going under - but quite rather the opposite. I'm not saying you should narcissistic like the leaders at these companies, but you should separate emotions from the act of interviewing - and this is very very important. Like the others say, you don't know if you'll like it yet. You may not like anything about the company except the compensation and only you can decide whether it's worth it for you to jump ship. But don't prematurely close the door (unless the company has a seriously bad rep in the market etc)

   You don't have to fake enthusiasm. I actually think enthusiasm is overrated - you're being hired for your skills and value. Be curious and steadfast in understanding if it could work from both sides and express interest.

   I only usually think signing and reneging is a bad idea (but I've changed that stance too, since offers get rescinded all the time as well), so I would likely decline before signing if I just wan't into it.

9. Ally MorganFebruary 20,2023 at 1:11PM UTC

   Man. I interviewed for a job that I didn't even want, and guess what. My one year anniversary is in a few weeks and it's the best job I've ever had!!! Do it!!

10. AnonymousFebruary 20,2023 at 2:18PM UTC

    I've had the same experience. I am so glad I took the chance.

11. TroyFebruary 20,2023 at 1:46PM UTC

    Go for it. You never know what could happen and use this as an opportunity to practice your interviewing skills.

12. Stephanie Malcom, MBAFebruary 20,2023 at 2:39PM UTC

    Definitely not unethical. I see nothing wrong with working on your interview skills by interviewing for the job. The only concern is that you may not have a good interview if you have no interest in the position. Another thought is you may end of wanting the position after the interview. I know I did once and stayed a good 3 years until management changed.

13. Bonnie CoventryFebruary 20,2023 at 3:40PM UTC

    First, you truly can't fake enthusiasm, any seasoned panelists, recruiter, interviewer can typically catch that. I also don't think you're faking enthusiasm, like what? Something has drawn you. Something has piqued your interest. Often, interviewees forget that they are also interviewing the interviewers........... marinate for a moment on that. This isn't 'unethical', maybe it's a tinge to be more disloyal. Maybe not to your current company but to your current team/leaders. People work for people. WE have 1 life, and you wouldn't know if you don't try. Like Ally said she got a job that she didn't event want, and LOVES it! You are your Worth, don't discount that. Also, it may NOT be the job you want, that alone is a success and a great lesson. Good luck!

14. AnonymousFebruary 20,2023 at 4:18PM UTC

    Sure why not. It's great practice if you have the time & energy to waste.

15. Lesa Edwards, Career Coach & Master Resume WriterFebruary 20,2023 at 7:02PM UTC

    Actually, it is unethical to interview solely for practice - you're wasting the company's time and could be burning bridges. Besides this, actual interviews aren't great places to practice your interview skills - you seldom receive feedback, you can't stop and re-start, and no one is helping you develop your interview strategy.

    Having said that, I tell my clients to take the interview if they are at all interested in the job and/or company because they never know what they will learn...or what that interview might lead to down the road.

16. LoreLei RouvraisFebruary 21,2023 at 3:47AM UTC

    If you KNOW you don't want that job, then I wouldn't do the interview.

    If you're not sure? Go for it. Pretend you want it. Who knows, maybe you'll end up realizing it's a better fit that you are currently thinking. Worst case is that it is offered and you say, "Thank you, but I have chosen a different option."

17. AnonymousFebruary 21,2023 at 3:41PM UTC

    If you're unsure, use the interview to ask the questions that will give you your answer. You may be surprised.

18. Megan ConkleFebruary 21,2023 at 3:42PM UTC

    I think the larger question is: why do you want to interview for it? Is it to learn more about the company? Is it to "practice"? Is it because you might want the job but you're not sure yet.

    I think having a conversation with a hiring manager about an open position without being sure if you want it is appropriate. I see all the other people saying it's unethical to do this, but I believe you can ethically have a conversation with a company. Consider being upfront about your hesitancy. Ask questions about the things you're unsure about.

    If you KNOW you don't want it, that's when I think you may be toeing the line.

19. AnonymousFebruary 22,2023 at 1:26PM UTC

    Absolutely NOT unethical. They interview multiple candidates to choose one they want, you can interview them to see if you want them. And you are not burning bridges by being offered a job and not taking it either, you burn bridges if you are rude about it, just as they might burn a bridge with you by putting you through a crazy process and maybe an assignment and then lowballing the offer, or going with someone else and failing to inform you, or cancelling the role after you accept it, or hiring you under false pretences, etc, etc, etc.

20. Jennifer WuolletFebruary 22,2023 at 2:15PM UTC

    Its never bad to practice your interview skills. You ask if you should fake enthusiasm when you are unsure if you want the job, I would think you would only have to fake enthusiasm if you hated whatever the job is. If its going to be an emotional struggle, then no don't go but if you can go into it with the mindset that you aren't sure and are just checking it out, then its definitely worth going since you may find that it is a perfect job for you.

21. AnonymousFebruary 22,2023 at 2:49PM UTC

    Well when they interview you, they are unsure if they want to hire you! Also this goes both ways, remember that you are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you! Having a little emotional distance and approaching the opportunity with curiosity might be actually best case scenario to be able to look for if the opportunity is a match. If it is a match, you may decide you want the job, so win-win. If it isn't a match, you've just gotten some good interview practice and hopefully still made a good impression on the folks in the room, who knows, they may call you back if there's a different opportunity in the future that would be a better fit.

22. AnonymousFebruary 22,2023 at 5:49PM UTC

    Open the door explore ask tough questions and then decide. After all the employer is doing that too. Knowledge is power and you wont know if you really want something unless you have full disclosure and direct information.

23. Krystin MorganFebruary 23,2023 at 5:46AM UTC

    It's not unethical at all. You're not saying you 100% don't want the job + want to waste everyone's time - you just don't know for sure yet. That's okay! The interview process is also for YOU to interview the company to decide if it's a place you'd like to work and a role you'd like to have. Go for it!

24. AnonymousFebruary 25,2023 at 10:59PM UTC

    I applied and interviewed for a job with an organization I very much wanted to get into because the benefits are amazing, but there are not a lot of departments that can use my skill set. When the job was posted the lay was just laughable. I decided to apply anyway because at the very least it would go me insights into the interview process and make me some internal connections. I thought you myself. If they offer, I don't HAVE to take it.. When they made the offer, I almost said no but negotiated slightly better pay and my husband and I decided it was worth the risk to be there.

    I ended being there for 11 years. Loved every minute of it. Quadrupled my pay and helped grow the new department.

    I had planned to retire there but unfortunately when COVID hit the executive level laid off my entire department then outsourced it.

    I miss being there, but gained so much experience and the fact that I actually worked there is so impressive on my resume, and I had so many connections in the community that I had no problem finding a new position.

    I'm so glad for my time there. Never say never.