What Is Your Job Over There? How to Answer This Interview Question in 2026?

[JackMarie]

Yes, this question is usually about clarifying your current role in a different location or department. When a recruiter or hiring manager asks “What is your job over there?”, they are trying to understand the scope, responsibilities, and context of your current position, especially if it’s in a different country, office, or team. The key is to bridge the gap between their understanding and your actual duties.

Start by naming your official title, but then immediately explain what you actually do on a daily basis. For example: “I’m a Senior Recruitment Specialist at a tech firm in Berlin. Over there, my job focuses on sourcing engineering talent for our R&D team, managing the full candidate screening process, and leading structured interviews. I also handle employer branding initiatives for the DACH region.”

Be specific about metrics and outcomes – this adds credibility. Use a table to compare your role with what the interviewer might expect:

Aspect	My current role (over there)	Typical expectation in this market
Focus area	Technical recruitment, R&D	Generalist recruitment
Team size	5 recruiters, 2 coordinators	Solo recruiter
Annual hires	80–100 engineers	30–50 hires
Tools used	ATS, LinkedIn Recruiter, coding assessments	Basic ATS only

This structure helps the interviewer quickly see the value you bring. Avoid vague phrases like “I do a bit of everything.” Instead, paint a clear picture of your work environment, your autonomy, and the impact you’ve made. If the role is in a different country, mention any cultural or regulatory differences that shaped your approach – for example, “We had to comply with strict GDPR data privacy rules during candidate screening, which taught me to be very careful with personal data.”

Finally, connect the dots to the job you’re applying for. Say something like, “That experience directly relates to the senior recruiter role here because I’m used to high-volume hiring and cross-functional collaboration.” This shows you’re not just listing facts – you’re making a case for yourself.

[TaliaLee]

I’d keep it simple: “My job over there is to lead the recruitment cycle for mid-level IT roles. I handle everything from sourcing to offer negotiation, and I work closely with hiring managers to build a strong talent pipeline.” That usually clears up any confusion. No need to overcomplicate it – just state the core responsibilities and how they align with the role you’re applying for.

[VonJuniper]

When someone asks that, I think they’re trying to figure out if my experience is transferable. So I say: “Over there, I’m responsible for talent retention rate improvements and candidate experience. I introduced a new onboarding process that cut time-to-fill by 15%.” Numbers work best – they make the answer concrete and memorable.

[LeKayden]

For me, the question is a chance to highlight adaptability. I’d answer: “At my previous company in Singapore, my job involved managing a diverse team of recruiters across three time zones. I learned to tailor interview techniques for different cultures and legal environments. That experience taught me how to stay organised and efficient even when communication is challenging.”

[StSabrina]

I’d flip the perspective a bit. “Over there means I was the go-to person for salary negotiation and employer branding in a fast-growing startup. I helped set up the compensation framework and trained managers on how to discuss salary ranges during offers. That practical knowledge is directly useful for this role because I can hit the ground running without needing extra training.” This shows ownership and hands-on expertise.