Strangest interview question? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Bear Cub · 11-04-2007, 05:51 PM

What is the strangest question you've ever been asked on a job interview?

In my nine hours of interviewing this past weekend, I heard EVERYTHING from my take on sound business practices, to "if you had two muffins to pick from, one on the right, one on the left, which one do you pick?"

Lets hear your stories.

MexicanOnABike · 11-04-2007, 08:27 PM

what flavors are the muffins? hehe.

honestly, I never got a weird question in an interview.

Willravel · 11-04-2007, 08:40 PM

"If you could have one superpower, what would it be?"
I'd have the power to ignore stupid questions.

"Where do you see yourself in 30 years?"
Czar of North America. How bout you?

"What are your qualifications?"
You mean the words on the resume in front of you? Or the information discussed in the previous 12 interviews?

analog · 11-04-2007, 09:02 PM

I used to be one person of a 3-person panel that conducted interviews for the whole district at a company where I used to work. We interviewed more for sales than management, purely by numbers. One day they swapped out one of our 3 for another store manager who I didn't know. He gave a woman a pencil and said, "sell me this pencil". You'd think maybe it'd be an exercise in "selling anything, even if you think it's stupid" or something to that effect. No. He later said, very proud of himself, that the point of it was to "throw her off". He was an idiot. Messing with people in useful ways to test certain things is one thing... but just to be a dick?

He asked people stupid questions all day. One woman was working as a lifeguard at a public pool. He asked what aspects of her job would help her out if she were hired on. She said something to the effect of, "I work as a lifeguard. Unfortunately, pretty much none. I'm not even supposed to be social with anyone, so it's not really giving me any experience I can carry over." A good, simple, honest, and assertive answer. I liked it, despite the stupidity of the question. He didn't. He says, "can't think of anything? Maybe make something up?" Make something up?? She says something like, "there's really nothing to make up. It's a simple job with one purpose, sit and watch. If I could make it sound incredible, you'd think I'm an idiot or a liar for trying to make 'lifeguard' sound worthy of comparing to a real job, like sales."

He was not happy with her answer. I took out one of my business cards, handed it to her, and said "I'll call you later with the details of your hire and compensation. Welcome aboard." The third guy says, "what?!" all flustered, and my second panel member just started laughing at him. (only took 2-of-3 approval for a person to be hired, and I knew my other, regular, panel member would side with me without question if I made a definitive move like that).

The dumbass was steamed with me all day- he was a store manager, so technically above me in store things, but not on the hiring panel. On the hiring panel, I was the boss. lol

ItWasMe · 11-04-2007, 11:25 PM

"Did I wake you?"

And yes, she did. My husband was working for a company, and one of the managers (not hubby's) asked if he could recommend anyone. My company had recently shut down after moving all of the jobs out of state. It was very early in the morning, and he gave her my resume and my phone number. She called me right away. The lady interviewed me while I was still in bed, after convincing me she was not a telemarketer. And hired me on the spot. That was the funnest job I ever had, until that company sent most of those jobs overseas.

MSD · 11-04-2007, 11:29 PM

"How bad is the job you're looking to leave?"
"Well, I made sure I was the one who worked on your car last time your brought it in, but once I start here, I wouldn't recommend taking it there."

ryfo · 11-05-2007, 02:01 AM

I went for a job that was essentially a dishwasher job. The question: what makes you think you are qualified for this job" My answer :two hands and a heartbeat" I got the job.

hrandani · 11-05-2007, 05:26 AM

I was interviewing for a general laboring job at a warehouse in a run-down part of town. They asked questions like I was in the running for an Ivy League hedge fund position, things like What are the most important things to me in a company, etc.

Finally I got fed up, and when they asked what I was looking to gain out of my time spent at the company, I answered in my best Eugene Hütz accent that I wanted to form a union and bring the new soviet empire to central Texas.

Didn't call me back.

Bear Cub · 11-05-2007, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryfo

I went for a job that was essentially a dishwasher job. The question: what makes you think you are qualified for this job" My answer :two hands and a heartbeat" I got the job.

I like that!

The last question they asked me on this one was "have we done a good job at explaining what this role entails?"

I replied, "you either did a great job of informing me what the position is truly like, or an outstanding job of deceiving me enough to think it's worthwhile." They got a good chuckle out of it.

The_Jazz · 11-05-2007, 06:55 AM

I know I've told this story before, but I had an interview that lasted an hour and a half and consisted of the interviewer trying to convince me that I didn't want the job.

That was the last interview I had. Since then, I've used the technique several times to hire my own people.

thingstodo · 11-05-2007, 07:54 AM

Someone asked me to tell them about a time someone asked me to do something shady.

World's King · 11-05-2007, 11:16 AM

I was applying at this Italian restaurant...

Guy: "Are you Italian?"
Me: "Yes. Half Italian, Half Irish"
G: "Did you grow up Italian?"
M: "Yes."
G: " So you know about Italian food?"
M: "Yes. I grew up cooking with my family. In my family we learn to cook at a young age."
G: "What can you make?"
M: "What do you mean?"
G: "What type of Italian food can you make?"
M: "Pretty much anything. I make my own pasta and sauce."
G: "So just spaghetti? So, you're not a real Italian?"
M: "Well, thanks for your time. I'm gonna be leaving now."

ItWasMe · 11-05-2007, 11:47 AM

ROFL WK. What a dope that guy was.

waltert · 11-05-2007, 12:49 PM

my life is dull...
I was applying for an Mech. engineering internship at a manufacturing company.

The lead engineer and I were having a good conversation during the interview...but the HR lady finally gets out of her meeting and asks:

"so, is this (position) what you were expecting?"

me:
"Honesty, I had no idea what to expect when I came here, I think that the recruiters at the job fair did a pretty poor job of explaining the position"

her (pissed off): " I was at the job fair! some students were just better at asking questions than others! "

she went away soon after that,

I didn't get a call back from them fortunately, and landed an internship somewhere else that starts this spring.

I still believe that the HR woman didn't understand what the position was, because it was NOT a Mechanical engineering position.

it was manufacturing/industrial engineering.

freeload · 11-05-2007, 01:20 PM

I was asked which time-signatures i can play (on drums) - turned out they wanted a developer/ new drummer in the company band

- Still working there

Infinite_Loser · 11-05-2007, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willravel

"Where do you see yourself in 30 years?"
Czar of North America. How bout you?

Wow... That's it? You're thinking kinda' small there. Personally, I plan on being "Supreme Overlord of Earth" in thirty years

Ustwo · 11-05-2007, 04:02 PM

I've got to hire a few wage slaves in the next few weeks, so keep'em coming.

ngdawg · 11-05-2007, 08:11 PM

Can't recall stupid questions but I hate "What can you bring to our company".
Last time I was asked that, I responded, "Levity". Guess they don't like a sense of humor...
Second uncomfortable question is, "Where do you expect to be in X amount of years?" Uh....dead and buried?

Elphaba · 11-06-2007, 03:27 PM

I was asked what assurances I could give that my husband wouldn't be promoted and relocated elsewhere.

I was able to get my licensure hours from him before my husband was promoted and relocated elsewhere.

Anxst · 11-06-2007, 03:57 PM

I've never been asked any weird ones, beyond the normal. Some of which are listed above...maybe I've been interviewing at the wrong places.

I asked some weird ones when I owned a comic book store. We had over 200 applicants when I posted the position of part time clerk, so i used them to help weed out half of the 30 who looked good on paper.

"In a fight of all giant robots, who would win?"

"If you could cast one third level spell from the AD&D 2nd edition player's handbook at will, what would it be?"

"You have to spend a day as an anime character. Who would you choose to be?"

They made the interviews more fun, and made sure they could hold conversations on our product. Still, they got me some odd looks.

Willravel · 11-06-2007, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Infinite_Loser

Wow... That's it? You're thinking kinda' small there. Personally, I plan on being "Supreme Overlord of Earth" in thirty years

You want to be responsible for the Middle East? You can have it.

clavus · 11-06-2007, 06:09 PM

"What don't I know about you that's going to bite me in the ass later?"

I almost told her that I had an ass-biting fetish.

Ustwo · 11-06-2007, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anxst

"If you could cast one third level spell from the AD&D 2nd edition player's handbook at will, what would it be?"

Fireball of course, though minor globe of invulnerability was cool too.

11-04-2007, 05:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
Bear Cub The Reverend Side Boob Location: Nofe Curolina	Strangest interview question? What is the strangest question you've ever been asked on a job interview? In my nine hours of interviewing this past weekend, I heard EVERYTHING from my take on sound business practices, to "if you had two muffins to pick from, one on the right, one on the left, which one do you pick?" Lets hear your stories.

11-04-2007, 08:27 PM	#2 (permalink)
MexicanOnABike Location: up north	what flavors are the muffins? hehe. honestly, I never got a weird question in an interview. __________________ - Movie Reviews - Ratings-

11-04-2007, 11:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
ItWasMe But You'll Never Prove It. Location: under your bed	"Did I wake you?" And yes, she did. My husband was working for a company, and one of the managers (not hubby's) asked if he could recommend anyone. My company had recently shut down after moving all of the jobs out of state. It was very early in the morning, and he gave her my resume and my phone number. She called me right away. The lady interviewed me while I was still in bed, after convincing me she was not a telemarketer. And hired me on the spot. That was the funnest job I ever had, until that company sent most of those jobs overseas. __________________ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "Ok, no more truth-or-dare until somebody returns my underwear" ~ George Lopez I bake cookies just so I can lick the bowl. ~ ItWasMe Last edited by ItWasMe; 11-04-2007 at 11:39 PM.. Reason: because I'm forgetful

11-05-2007, 06:55 AM	#10 (permalink)
The_Jazz Asshole Administrator Location: Chicago	I know I've told this story before, but I had an interview that lasted an hour and a half and consisted of the interviewer trying to convince me that I didn't want the job. That was the last interview I had. Since then, I've used the technique several times to hire my own people. __________________ "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - B. Franklin "There ought to be limits to freedom." - George W. Bush "We have met the enemy and he is us." - Pogo

11-05-2007, 07:54 AM	#11 (permalink)
thingstodo A Storm Is Coming Location: The Great White North	Someone asked me to tell them about a time someone asked me to do something shady. __________________ If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves. Stangers have the best candy.

11-04-2007, 08:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	"If you could have one superpower, what would it be?" I'd have the power to ignore stupid questions. "Where do you see yourself in 30 years?" Czar of North America. How bout you? "What are your qualifications?" You mean the words on the resume in front of you? Or the information discussed in the previous 12 interviews?

11-04-2007, 09:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
analog Banned	I used to be one person of a 3-person panel that conducted interviews for the whole district at a company where I used to work. We interviewed more for sales than management, purely by numbers. One day they swapped out one of our 3 for another store manager who I didn't know. He gave a woman a pencil and said, "sell me this pencil". You'd think maybe it'd be an exercise in "selling anything, even if you think it's stupid" or something to that effect. No. He later said, very proud of himself, that the point of it was to "throw her off". He was an idiot. Messing with people in useful ways to test certain things is one thing... but just to be a dick? He asked people stupid questions all day. One woman was working as a lifeguard at a public pool. He asked what aspects of her job would help her out if she were hired on. She said something to the effect of, "I work as a lifeguard. Unfortunately, pretty much none. I'm not even supposed to be social with anyone, so it's not really giving me any experience I can carry over." A good, simple, honest, and assertive answer. I liked it, despite the stupidity of the question. He didn't. He says, "can't think of anything? Maybe make something up?" Make something up?? She says something like, "there's really nothing to make up. It's a simple job with one purpose, sit and watch. If I could make it sound incredible, you'd think I'm an idiot or a liar for trying to make 'lifeguard' sound worthy of comparing to a real job, like sales." He was not happy with her answer. I took out one of my business cards, handed it to her, and said "I'll call you later with the details of your hire and compensation. Welcome aboard." The third guy says, "what?!" all flustered, and my second panel member just started laughing at him. (only took 2-of-3 approval for a person to be hired, and I knew my other, regular, panel member would side with me without question if I made a definitive move like that). The dumbass was steamed with me all day- he was a store manager, so technically above me in store things, but not on the hiring panel. On the hiring panel, I was the boss. lol

11-04-2007, 11:29 PM	#6 (permalink)
MSD The sky calls to us ... Super Moderator Location: CT	"How bad is the job you're looking to leave?" "Well, I made sure I was the one who worked on your car last time your brought it in, but once I start here, I wouldn't recommend taking it there."

11-05-2007, 02:01 AM	#7 (permalink)
ryfo Psycho Location: melbourne australia	I went for a job that was essentially a dishwasher job. The question: what makes you think you are qualified for this job" My answer :two hands and a heartbeat" I got the job.

11-05-2007, 05:26 AM	#8 (permalink)
hrandani Insane	I was interviewing for a general laboring job at a warehouse in a run-down part of town. They asked questions like I was in the running for an Ivy League hedge fund position, things like What are the most important things to me in a company, etc. Finally I got fed up, and when they asked what I was looking to gain out of my time spent at the company, I answered in my best Eugene Hütz accent that I wanted to form a union and bring the new soviet empire to central Texas. Didn't call me back.

11-05-2007, 11:16 AM	#12 (permalink)
World's King Here Location: Denver City Denver	I was applying at this Italian restaurant... Guy: "Are you Italian?" Me: "Yes. Half Italian, Half Irish" G: "Did you grow up Italian?" M: "Yes." G: " So you know about Italian food?" M: "Yes. I grew up cooking with my family. In my family we learn to cook at a young age." G: "What can you make?" M: "What do you mean?" G: "What type of Italian food can you make?" M: "Pretty much anything. I make my own pasta and sauce." G: "So just spaghetti? So, you're not a real Italian?" M: "Well, thanks for your time. I'm gonna be leaving now." __________________ heavy is the head that wears the crown

11-05-2007, 11:47 AM	#13 (permalink)
ItWasMe But You'll Never Prove It. Location: under your bed	ROFL WK. What a dope that guy was. __________________ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "Ok, no more truth-or-dare until somebody returns my underwear" ~ George Lopez I bake cookies just so I can lick the bowl. ~ ItWasMe

11-05-2007, 12:49 PM	#14 (permalink)
waltert Insane	my life is dull... I was applying for an Mech. engineering internship at a manufacturing company. The lead engineer and I were having a good conversation during the interview...but the HR lady finally gets out of her meeting and asks: "so, is this (position) what you were expecting?" me: "Honesty, I had no idea what to expect when I came here, I think that the recruiters at the job fair did a pretty poor job of explaining the position" her (pissed off): " I was at the job fair! some students were just better at asking questions than others! " she went away soon after that, I didn't get a call back from them fortunately, and landed an internship somewhere else that starts this spring. I still believe that the HR woman didn't understand what the position was, because it was NOT a Mechanical engineering position. it was manufacturing/industrial engineering.

11-05-2007, 01:20 PM	#15 (permalink)
freeload Done freeloading here Location: on my ass :) - Norway	I was asked which time-signatures i can play (on drums) - turned out they wanted a developer/ new drummer in the company band - Still working there __________________ The future ain't what it used to be.

11-05-2007, 04:02 PM	#17 (permalink)
Ustwo Pissing in the cornflakes	I've got to hire a few wage slaves in the next few weeks, so keep'em coming. __________________ Agents of the enemies who hold office in our own government, who attempt to eliminate our "freedoms" and our "right to know" are posting among us, I fear.....on this very forum. - host Obama - Know a Man by the friends he keeps.

11-05-2007, 08:11 PM	#18 (permalink)
ngdawg peekaboo Location: on the back, bitch	Can't recall stupid questions but I hate "What can you bring to our company". Last time I was asked that, I responded, "Levity". Guess they don't like a sense of humor... Second uncomfortable question is, "Where do you expect to be in X amount of years?" Uh....dead and buried?

11-06-2007, 03:27 PM	#19 (permalink)
Elphaba Deja Moo Location: Olympic Peninsula, WA	I was asked what assurances I could give that my husband wouldn't be promoted and relocated elsewhere. I was able to get my licensure hours from him before my husband was promoted and relocated elsewhere. __________________ "You can't ignore politics, no matter how much you'd like to." Molly Ivins - 1944-2007

11-06-2007, 03:57 PM	#20 (permalink)
Anxst Condensing fact from the vapor of nuance. Location: Madison, WI	I've never been asked any weird ones, beyond the normal. Some of which are listed above...maybe I've been interviewing at the wrong places. I asked some weird ones when I owned a comic book store. We had over 200 applicants when I posted the position of part time clerk, so i used them to help weed out half of the 30 who looked good on paper. "In a fight of all giant robots, who would win?" "If you could cast one third level spell from the AD&D 2nd edition player's handbook at will, what would it be?" "You have to spend a day as an anime character. Who would you choose to be?" They made the interviews more fun, and made sure they could hold conversations on our product. Still, they got me some odd looks. __________________ Don't mind me. I'm just releasing the insanity pressure from my headvalves.

11-06-2007, 06:09 PM	#22 (permalink)
clavus pow! Location: NorCal	"What don't I know about you that's going to bite me in the ass later?" I almost told her that I had an ass-biting fetish. __________________ Ass, gas or grass. Nobody rides for free.