Dear Sam: I was recently asked about my dream job in a job interview. I have never been asked such a question, and given I was interviewing for a position that had nothing to do with my dream, I knew I looked like a deer in the headlights. I am not in a place to pursue my dream at the moment. I need a position with compensation and benefits to support my family. If I get asked that question again, how should I answer it when the job isn’t going to be my dream job? – Sandra

Dear Sandra: That is such a great question! An interviewer’s goal in asking that question is to identify whether the position you are interviewing for aligns with your career goals. Construct an answer to that question that shows the employer how the role of interest will help support your ultimate goals.

Consider talking about the skills you want to leverage in your career and how the position will reinforce your ability to do so. You may also want to talk about your interests and how perhaps the industry is intriguing to you and something you see yourself being engaged in for many years. You may also discuss your values and their alignment with the company’s mission and vision. There are many ways to approach this question, even if the functional elements of the position of interest are not truly your dream job.

Samantha Nolan is an Advanced Personal Branding Strategist and Career Expert, founder and CEO of Nolan Branding. Do you have a resume, career, or job search question for Dear Sam? Reach Samantha at [email protected]. For information on Nolan Branding’s services, visit www.nolanbranding.com or call 888-9-MY-BRAND or 614-570-3442.