The logic behind this question is to find out whether you will be satisfied with the job you are being interviewed. Normal conclusion would be when you were dissatisfied with your job before, you may be again dissatisfied if the scenario is the same. Here are answers given by three different candidates:
Candidate No.1: I didn't find the job challenging. The work became boring as there were only repetitive projects sans any challenges.
To this the interviewer may be thinking that here the tasks may be repetitive. How can this candidate be able to like the job?
Candidate No.2: There was no stability. After three company takeovers, I had five bosses in three years. It is too much to withstand the stress. I desire stability in the job and the company.
This triggered a train of thoughts in the mind of the interviewer. The company is stable as of now, but who knows what happens later. This candidate seems to have some adjustability and flexibility problems.
Candidate No. 3: My last boss wouldn't allow me to do my job and interfere in everything. I had to be a 'yes man'.
The interviewer is not impressed with this candidate and doubts whether the candidate would be able work as a supervisor with him. How would he react if his work was criticized? He sounds to be problematic.
Stick to tasks
The best way to answer this question is to avoid company, people and politics. Stick to tasks only. A good answer may go like this:
I really like my job and have interesting experience with my boss and colleagues. I enjoy working with people but had to deal with a heavy load of paper work which sometimes slows down my pace.
Just see the word "heavy", it wasn't normal load it comes in your way to do your best.
Job satisfaction exercise
Look back at your past jobs where you were not satisfied with the work. Sometimes, you didn't want to go to work and you hated going to the workplace. Was it the work or the work environs that were responsible for your dissatisfaction? Make a list of those things responsible for your dissatisfaction and try to find out patterns. Do you notice the repetition of any projects or situations that disturbed you? This exercise helps you to fare well at the interview when you are confronted with such a question.
