Resolved Question

How do I answer these questions in a job interview honestly without them turning me down?

Basically, I've just finished 3 years at college studying animal management/care. My situation is, that I'm going abroad for a gap year next August so I'd like a job while I wait for August to come so I can earn money to spend while I'm out there etc...I intend to work with animals once I return but for now I'm just after any work I can get really.

I had an interview this morning for a packing job (putting things in boxes big woop!)...The bloke was very impolite, made out my GCSE's were crap (they're C's!) ignoring that I've recently topped them up while at college doing key skills courses...BUT then he started asking me what types of careers I'd like with animals, what subjects I studied, how big my college was, very unrelated questions for a packing job thats for sure.

I have an interview tomorrow for a sales assistant job...I doubt they will, but if they start asking about my future working with animals, how do I help them realise I am not interested in working with animals right now, I'd just like a job to earn some money etc without sounding like I'm answering back (in a bad way)? Xx

Additional Details

Just to answer some questions/clear a few things....I DO plan to work with animals once I'm back from my gap year...But until then, I just need a any job as I need the money & can't afford to be too fussy. I understand that the guy probably wanted to know more about me therefore asked questions about my time at college (which by the way I could answer...But would rather just get on with talking about the job, there are other ways in which to find out more about me, than to ask how big my college was :S).

2 days ago

Komodo Butterfly & Rudy just the kind of answers I was looking for Thank you.

2 days ago

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Be honest and tell them while you'd like to consider working with animals in the future you don't feel now is the best time to do so and you wish to gain experience interacting with people. After all if you're going to be working with animals then you'll probably be interacting with people on a daily basis e.g. if you're a vet you'll be talking with customers etc.

Let them know that you want to broaden your horizons and not limit yourself to one field and that you're hoping this job will help you gain experience in dealing with a variety of problems that you will encounter in the future.

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Other Answers (3)

• Ok why are you applying for those types of jobs. Wouldn't you do better working in a Zoo, animal hospital, on a ranch/farm or even a pet shop.
  
  Ok back to your question, it sounds like the first bloke (must be the UK) was a jerk. Forget him and move on. When answering questions about your plans just say you need a job and are looking for work. Do not bring up that you PLAN to quit in less then a year. If they ask just say that college did not work out and you need a job. They will understand that and not push for more information.
  
  Good luck
• If they ask you about your future career, just be honest and say you are looking forward to it. Right now though, you are looking for a job to save up for next year's trip. If you can relate sales to working with animals, then more points for you.
  
  A lot of employers sometimes ask completely unrelated questions. I had one interview where I was called in because the boss's daughter was thinking about going to the university I went to and he wanted more info about the school!
• They have to ask you something! They're trying to help by choosing a subject from the only things they know about you - from your CV/application form.
  If you can't even answer on a subject you're supposed to know about - your own life - what are they going to think?
  You have to think how what you've done before will help in the job you're going for. Did you work in a team when you were at college to solve problems in class? Or were you better at working on your own initiative? I would guess animals can be quite unpredictable - did you cope ok with that? Do you get on well with people? Were you highly organised when you planned your work?
  Get the idea? Even though these jobs have nothing to do with what you've learnt as such, there are still skills you've picked up. You have to try and show them that.