Q: Would it be ok to be honest to an employer about the reasons for wanting to be employed such as to get experience or should nothing be said about it?

This is a question from Lynne who is one of our readers.

I take it that applying to “get experience” means there is an intention to eventually leave when better opportunities become available. There is an ideal scenario to this. Ideally, a potential employer will appreciate honesty in an applicant. Ideally, an applicant will have the honor and integrity to be transparent to a potential employer. In reality though, this scenario is rarely ever played. Of course, you might get away with being 100% transparent if you have such rare and exceptional abilities that are immediately needed and an employer will not care whatever your reason is.

Ultimately, you should base your decision on whether to be transparent or not based on the situation, the industry you would like to enter and the kind of person interviewing you. Depending on these factors a potential employer will think that:

• your reasons are ok because anyway it is part of reality that applicants and employees will always try to look for greener pastures in the future. Interviewers who are MOST LIKELY (but not always) to understand these are those who belong in the nursing and call center industries. They already have a lot of experience with employees coming and going. In this case, you don’t even have to reveal all your intentions if the issue does not come up; OR

• your reasons are not ok because the company needs an employee who will be able to make a long term commitment to the company. Employers like these are interested in retaining hired applicants for a long period of time and may not look favorably on individuals who are only in for the experience. This is especially since hiring new talent can be expensive. I have personally had a lot of experience with employers like these. I do believe these employers have their rights too and if you can’t stay for long, you probably should not apply because you and your employer will both feel only bitterness in the end.

Personally, if I were asked during an interview what my reasons for applying are and how long I plan to stay, I would keep an open mind and give an open answer. I believe that anything can happen in the future and there is always a chance that I will stay long in a company.