Nailing the Job Interview: Responding to "Have you applied elsewhere?"
- Author: Victoria Robertz
- Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes
Have you submitted applications elsewhere as well? - "Have you submitted applications elsewhere?"
Feeling uneasy when a potential employer asks, "Have you applied elsewhere?" during an interview is common. Many job candidates see it as a trick question—one they feel compelled to lie about. But what if the opposite is true?
Instead of allowing the question to unsettle you, consider it an opportunity to showcase your professionalism and composure. Honesty might even work in your favor.
The Purpose Behind the Question
According to career coach Volker Klärchen, people tend to feel uncomfortable with the question because they feel a connection to the company and fear revealing their competition. "At that moment, every applicant wants to convey to the company that they are the ideal candidate for the position, or possibly even the only one," Klärchen explained to Capital. When an employer then inquires about other applications, it can feel like being caught cheating. "Almost like being discovered by your partner," he added. However, the question carries a practical intention.
Recruitment consultant and career coach Ines Schöffmann clarifies that employers' primary concern is understanding the pace of the candidate's job search. Long recruitment processes can raise concerns about a candidate's availability, and employers want to avoid wasting time on candidates who may drop out due to delays. "Candidates who take a long time to respond to emails or who have gaps between interviews raise red flags, and employers might move on to other candidates to avoid losing precious time," Schöffmann said.
Your strategic response: "I'm currently in talks"
Schöffmann believes that people often take the question too seriously, assuming they should not admit to applying elsewhere as it might raise doubts about their motivation. "What nonsense!" Schöffmann asserts. Her recommended response is to always say, "Yes, I'm in talks or have already been in talks—even if I only have one application on the go." This approach mirrors the tactics of a skilled salesperson, and as a job seeker, you are essentially selling yourself, she explains. This response also conveys a sense of urgency, signaling to the employer that other companies are interested.
Employers want good candidates to keep their options open. Schöffmann thinks it looks strange if someone has only applied to a single company. "Being in talks with other firms boosts your appeal as a candidate," she says. Be truthful about having offers, but avoid getting too specific. "Never mention exact numbers or specific companies—that's the job seeker's secret to success," Klärchen advises. A good response might be: "Yes, I've applied to others, but this position really interests me because of [specific reasons related to the company or position]." Or you could say that it's crucial to make an informed decision, which comes across well.
candor over deception
Both career coaches agree that lying is never a good idea. For example, if a candidate claims to have multiple offers but hasn't actually had any interviews, it can quickly appear unbelievable. "It's more nerve-wracking to lie, which isn't a great start for an interview and consumes unnecessary energy," Schöffmann notes. Furthermore, employers might become suspicious when your resume doesn't match your claims.
- Job interview
- Job application
- Urgent response
- Maintain transparency
The Commission has also been consulted on the following issues: education-and-self-development, career-development, and job-search. After understanding the purpose behind an employer's question about other applications during a job interview, it's important to maintain transparency by strategically responding that you are actively in talks with other companies, demonstrating a sense of urgency and remaining truthful about your job search progress.
