>>During the job interview Thursday, they asked what my longterm and short-term goals are. I said -- what I've learned in the past year is that man plans, God laughs. That my long term and short term goals are the same -- to deal with whatever God puts on my plate, to have a job (I'm a college teacher) where maybe I can do a little bit of good and help young people to reach their goals, and have a little home of my own, like I used to before my life completely collapsed.

First of all I think that is a FANTASTIC answer. I think it is almost the perfect answer... philosophical yet connected with the practicality of turning it into a hiring attribute.

I can't say what recruiters are looking for in an answer to that question... but consider it in terms of how other people must answer... I'd bet most people fumble with it without providing anything substantiative... and those prepared for the question must work so hard thinking of the "correct" answer that they probably come off rehearsed and insincere. It really can be a trick question, if you answer it too literally it may be either a lie or a negative quality... most people have aspirations of improving their career as time goes on... so do you say "in ten years I hope to have a job in a better school than yours" (open trap door in floor under applicant ) or do you say "I want to work here for the rest of my life" and sound like you have nothing driving you toward a rewarding future?

The question is like the Kobiyashi Maru of interview questions... a question without a correct answer. The question is a test of character. I think you answered it admirably!

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