>Looking back at the thread I think what I was reacting to was your comment:
>
>"When I go to job interviews I make it very clear that the "burden of proof" if you will is on their side not mine. I have a job already and you don't have a programmer"
>
>It just came off as callous and petty--at least that is what it sounded like to me. And I agree, employers should be "making you want the job", etc. But it is a two sided street; the interviewee should be trying to show why he should get the job and what exactly he has to offer if hired.
>
>Granted with the job market the way it is in our industry there are more jobs to be filled than applicants. But in the end the potential employer really *is* in the driver seat. They have the final say as to whether to hire or not. Additionally granted that they may not make this position from a true understanding of the market but make the decision anyway.


I'll grant you that I as a potential employee have make a good impression. I have to show that I know my stuff and have the ability to perform well on the job. But when asked the ever to typical question "why do you want to work here?" or "why do you want this position?" I always reply "well I don't know if I want to work here yet. Why should I want to work here?"

Before the interview starts the employer already knows my skills based on my resume. They can ask some question about my experience get a feel for the way I communicate. If they don't like that then the interview is probably over. But once they have decided I am a potential candidate, that they like my skill set, they like my personality, now I am in the drivers seat as far as what I want out of the job salary wise, benefits wise and so on.

Make no mistake a candidate cannot walk into an interview and not expect to answer questions about his skills both technically and otherwise. But he can be as picking as he wants to be as far as compensation and the like are conserned. My statement may have come off as petty or callous and of course I would never say it like that in an interview but you can politly let them know that they are after you not the other way around.