Are you interviewing at other companies? How to answer strategically

By Mariana Edilyan, HRD at Viva

It is one of the most common questions a recruiter will ask in an interview, and it is also one of the most mishandled.

Most candidates answer literally. They say one of two things, and both hurt them.

What not to say

“No, just here.”
You think this signals loyalty and focus. The recruiter hears low demand. If no one else wants you, why should they fight for you?

“I am in final rounds everywhere.”
You think this signals you are a hot commodity. The recruiter hears you are already gone. There is no point spending time on a candidate who will accept a different offer next week.

Both answers miss the point.

What recruiters are actually listening for

When a recruiter asks this, they are not just collecting facts. They are listening for three things at once:

• Market demand. Are you someone other companies are pursuing?
• Genuine interest. Do you actually want this role, or are we one of many?
• Priority level. Should they move quickly on you, or can the process take its time?

A good answer addresses all three. Here are three frames you can use, depending on where you actually are in your search.

If you are early or mid process

“I am exploring a few opportunities that align with my background, and I am being selective about where I invest my time. This role stood out to me.”

Why it works: shows focus and discernment, signals real interest in the role you are sitting in, and avoids any whiff of desperation.

If you are further along elsewhere

“I am further along in other processes, but this role stood out enough that I wanted to explore it. Based on what I have learned so far, it is a front runner for me.”

Why it works: honest, shows confidence, and positions the role as highly valued, without bluffing about something the recruiter could easily check.

If this is genuinely your first interview

“This is actually my first interview, and I see it as an important learning step. I am focused on giving my best here, because this role genuinely excites me. I believe starting with the right opportunity matters more than rushing into many, so I chose to begin with this one.”

Why it works: honest, intentional, and mature. It tells the recruiter you are deliberate about where you start, not inexperienced or careless.

Why these answers work

They share four qualities. They are honest, so the recruiter does not feel they are being played. They show demand without crossing into arrogance. They signal real interest in this role rather than treating it as one of many. And they position you as someone worth prioritising, which is exactly what you want the person hiring you to feel.

The bigger lesson

Weak candidates answer this question literally. Strong candidates answer it strategically.

An interview is not just Q&A. It is the art of positioning. The questions you are being asked are signals about what the recruiter is trying to learn, and your answers are signals about whether you understand what they are really asking.

Mariana Edilyan is HRD at Viva.