How the hell am I supposed to answer this interview question given my degree major?
Asked by The Nice One
So I did really well on my interview. So well that the interviewers in the first round of interviewing gave me a heads up on what I'll be asked by the second rounds interviewing panel. I'm stumped on how to answer "How do you think your career path will fit with our department" when I'm an interior design major interviewing for a secretary job with the department of justice's special litigation section (they help people who have been discriminated against while incarcerated or living in some sort of nursing home etc). I'm sure there's some dodging answer I could give that sounds really good but I have no idea what that is. Can someone help me? Please :0) Jessie M good question- I'm interviewing for a secretarial job in the fed gov because I've been in this field since I was 16 and this is all I know. I need money and interning at an interior design firm just doesn't pay the bills aside from the fact that I'm just starting with school and know nothing other than I'm interested in this field.

Best Answer:
Oh man, too bad you don't have Sarah Palin here to help with that. This is her specialty. Okay, let's deal with this honestly since we don't have an audience. WHY are you an interior design major interviewing for this completely unrelated job? I ask this because your BEST answer is always based on the truth as closely as possible. UPDATE: Okay, gotcha, but I feel obligated to point out to you that if working in interior design is really what you want to do, you will have no choice but to do the unpaid intern thing for a semester or two first. Since you just started school, that doesn't have to happen now, but by your senior year, it will. Nowadays, that seems to be the only way to enter a field, especially creative fields. But for now, I would focus intensely on the experience you already have, how applicable it is to the job for which you're applying, and emphasize all the things you really like about this field. Another thing is, I don't know if you've already discussed your major or written it on an application, but if you haven't already discussed it, I wouldn't necessarily bring it up at this point. If they do know about it and they specifically ask, you have two choices: A) Mention that you're only majoring in interior design because it's been your experience that government offices are always badly decorated and you wanted to be able to help department morale by fixing it up a little. Jokes are always a little risky though...you'll have to play that one by ear. or B) Say, "I very much enjoy this meaningful work that I do serving the people, but I've also realized in recent years that I really enjoy being creative. Since I've already worked in THIS field, and I have such a strong background in it, I've realized that my continuing efforts in this area make it such that my entry to it is already established. But if in four years, which is a long time from now, I find that I prefer to pursue my interior design interest, I'll need that degree to have that opportunity." They will not think that that makes you sound indecisive or uncommitted. In the end, they're hiring you to be a secretary and they want concrete skills and experience. If they were hiring someone to be on a DOJ agent track, they might view it differently, but for this, you are eminently qualified and that's what's going to mean something to them.

just smile and say yes
Answered by Dylan K

Answer: George Washington.
Answered by the Gibbler

wow idkk
Answered by R B

Nice choice of Major *turns and laughs out loud*. Ever heard of Business, Psychology or even Political Science? Those would have worked out better for you. ;)
Answered by Brandon Delrahim

say something like "even though my career major is not specifically suited to this post, i have great experience (its ok to be vague/lie here) with (insert w/e youll be doing) lol i hpe this helps!!!
Answered by Crzy

by "career path" they mean - are you going to look to move on asap, which means they would have to recruit for the position again.
Answered by simon r

Tell em' the courses taught u a lot bout urself and how to take care of stuff, and make it on ur own. And that u could give the office a better look :)
Answered by darrell w

You need to talk about things the job will teach you that you can also use for interior design: responsibility, integrity, working with deadlines, being a self-starter, etc. etc. etc. whatever works and you can explain
Answered by yaya

Possibly,Maybe,Yes,No,Undetermined at this time,Relate some factors,relate the field..... Answer with a question
Answered by Joe S

Just BS them. Look and act confident.
Answered by THE GREAT

you need to look sincer and profecinally stare into there eyes and say yes i am sure
Answered by tabby

just say that your looking to open your oppurtunities and you have to start somewhere
Answered by Tayy<3

I want to help people and I hope this job will give me a better understanding of peoples wants, needs and desires. I hope that it gives me a better sense of empathy.
Answered by Beatlesfan

say something like I will gain experience while contributing to the success of the business blah blah they probably wont be listening anyway. I know I don't.
Answered by Trust me.

Surely you have some career skills that are transferable between interior design and the position for which you are applying. You have to work with people in both positions, so use two or three of your strengths and say how you would use it in the position. Does that help?
Answered by livin life ツ

I'd just be honest and tell them what your major is and that you can't really think of any way it fits in. Be sure to say something positive to end the reply though. Such as... "However, I don't feel this is a reason for me to be any less motivated to do my job well." That might not be the best way to end it but I think you get the Idea. Just end it on a high note so it doesent end with "I don't know."
Answered by mkid007

Everyone (well, most people) have hidden talents that they don't know they have. Look at your career choice, and look at this job! They are not even close to being the same, but you can think of something. Do you have good problem solving skills? You need to, because you will need them in ANY job you ever have, and if you let them know that you can handle any situation, find any answer if you do not know it, and problem solve, people love that. Of course, you actually need to be able to do these things, you can't just say them. It sounds generic I know, but people want to know that you can solve problems and work without being told what to do every 2 seconds, and that applies to any job. Think of that stuff, and you will find the right words to say. You have it lucky, most jobs will ask that stuff on the fly, and you sit there going "ummm, ummmm, well....ummmm, yea...ummm" It sucks.
Answered by James

I assume you've got an eye for detail and understand the need to communicate ideas clearly to people you're working with. Think about the things you've learned in school and pare them down to their most basic. Good at making contrasting colors look good together? So maybe you can say you excel at coordinating multiple differing viewpoints into cohesive work units. I dunno jack about interior design, but you get the drift, right?
Answered by Sizzles B.,Esq.

At my age my career path is not yet defined. I am not sure my college major will lead to profitable employment. I must also admit that interior design does not meet another need of mine, which is social importance. So I can assure you that I am willing and able to modulate my career ambitions so they harmonize with department objectives.
Answered by frediwhite@verizon.net

There are an infinite number of things to learn in the world and an infinite number of things you can contribute, and at this point I feel my strongest contribution is to help a team who is assisting those who need it. This helps me, because it gives me a chance to learn about people needs and desires, and helps the team I'm working with because I feel so passionate about helping others.
Answered by Barcadcadacada

My study of interior design has equiped me to think both critically and logically. I gather all the information at hand and use it to make an informed decision. My knowledge of interior design helps me also to understand the correctional facility or care home layout and conditions described to me by the affected parties. If needed I would be able to write a technical description of the environment or develop a sketch that may prove valuable for inclusion in the case file. But mostly my critcal thinking ability and ability to visualize and explain physical environment characteristics are of value to the position. Also in my major I found my organizational skills to be transferable to the position.
Answered by Steve P

Good for you for getting this interview and who cares if it doesn't really tie in with your major or area of study. You need to sell yourself to them though. Tell them that one thing you learn and always practice in interior designing is your communication skills and how to finish tasks on time. Let them know that YOU know that these two careers are not really related, but you can connect many points. Being able to communicate, listen, finish tasks...and on time, deliver service....this is important for any job. Tell them how well you can do these things!!! That is what they want to hear!!
Answered by Stella10

If you have any time left before the interview rush to your nearest library OR nearest Barnes and Noble. Go into the HR Recruiting section. (Employment, HR etc.) They have coorect answers exactly how to word it in the books there. I don't know where my HR book is at the moment but!!!!!!! I remember there is a correct way to answer with out any embarssment or having it come out funny. If you don't have the time research it on google. Or to the best of my knowledge: I am temporarily unable to get a position in my field. I believe it's due to my graduating class was so huge and there is not enought jobs out there. I am choosing this position because I find it interesting, (tell them what you like about working for there dept.) and then the aspect of the position has some features that is close to my degree. I really suggest doing the reasearch. IInstead of my answer to the best of my knowledge......)
Answered by darcyaf1

I would answer with : I am motivated, driven and compassionate.
Answered by da goddess

OK they are asking about the future, not the past. Don't bring up the past, bring up a future that is what they are looking for. If you have been aaround it since 16, then thank whoever you thank for such luck that it was not Taco Bell, and you should know what they want to hear. If you have been in this field since 16 and do not know what they want to hear, I don't think Y/A can help you. Interrior design is used in hospital environments as well, cause my mom needed it for some type of management set up of lab environments, I don't know. You could tie that in somehow. With your experience, they may not care what your degree is. Don't bring it up.
Answered by tammmy s