Why You Should Go to That Job Interview You Really Don't Want

To increase your odds of getting noticed by hiring managers, it's a good idea to submit your resume to as many companies as possible. However, what if you receive an interview invitation for a position that you ultimately decide you do not want to accept?

At first, you may feel pressured to decline the interview rather than waste your time (and the interviewer's) discussing a position in which you have no interest. However, there are many benefits to attending an interview even if you don't end up getting the job.

Interviewing experience is always useful.

Job interviews can be nerve-wracking, but you'll gain confidence as you get more practice. Candidates are often advised to conduct practice interviews prior to attending real interviews. If you are invited to meet with a company for which you have little hope of working, you could treat the meeting as a form of practice interview to improve your performance at future interviews.

The value of networking in advancing one's career

If you're a good interviewer who enjoys meeting new people and building connections, going on the occasional "pointless interview" can have a significant impact on your career. This is because each interview presents an opportunity to expand your professional network and introduce yourself to potential future employers.

It's possible you'll decide that this job is right for you.

Maybe you applied for a job at a marketing firm that required a lot of data entry, but what you really want to do is come up with creative new marketing strategies. However, it is not always easy to condense a position's duties into a single paragraph. You might find that the position is more appealing than you had originally thought if you're willing to put in the time and effort required for the interview process. In our hypothetical scenario, you might learn that the data-analysis job you were sure you'd reject is actually quite creative in nature and therefore worth considering for employment.

A good opportunity within the same organization may spring up down the road.

Going into an interview with the mindset that you don't want the job will likely result in the same emotions upon leaving. However, if you make a good impression on the company's representatives, they may remember you for the next time a better opportunity opens up.

Obviously, you should politely decline an interview invitation if there is absolutely nothing about the position or the company that interests you. On the other hand, it doesn't hurt to schedule some time out of your day to prepare for an interview. It could lead to a great job, or it could lead to nothing at all.

Visit the blog page to learn more.