What's the strangest question you've been asked in a job interview?

[Heath]

I said yes.  Passed the interview too.
Another part was
Have you ever stolen?
no
Really? Your lying everyone has stolen something.
No really I hate thieves why would I want to steal.
Have you ever downloaded music illegally?
oh... I guess I have stolen something then.
Yeah everyone had a different definition of stealing.
Can I change my answer?
No it's OK lets move on. (with a smile)

[RAT900]

Interviews are a piece of cake...especially if you have any decent sociopathic skills

actually the best interviews are ones where you seize control of the dialogue and interview THEM about where the company's going

what its challenges are, ask if are you filling a new slot, a vacancy,

research the company before interviewing...and research the company's chief competitors

ask things like "what do you feel differentiates you from the XYZ company?" and before they can answer launch right into what you see as key
differences (for the better)

never ask about how much paid time-off you get.....OK to ask "standard healthcare and benefits package?"....but shy away from doing a deep-dive on their longterm disability package  

don't dig any deeper on the first round

[Veloce-Fino]

Interviews are a piece of cake...especially if you have any decent sociopathic skills

actually the best interviews are ones where you seize control of the dialogue and interview THEM about where the company's going

what its challenges are, ask if are you filling a new slot, a vacancy,

research the company before interviewing...and research the company's chief competitors

ask things like "what do you feel differentiates you from the XYZ company?" and before they can answer launch right into what you see as key
differences (for the better)

never ask about how much paid time-off you get.....OK to ask "standard healthcare and benefits package?"....but shy away from doing a deep-dive on their longterm disability package  

don't dig any deeper on the first round

Great advice, thanks.

I have an interview next week. I'm pretty nervous about it. In fact, really nervous.

[RAT900]

Don't be nervous..that is wasted energy...take the same mental space and fill it with data about your prospective employer

do your homework on the company and its business/market segment

and (depending on the personality of the Interviewer) try to engage at the interactive dialogue level

rather than the "transactional Q & A level"

they get that all day and if you can elevate the process it might be well received

interview like you aren't going to get the job anyway...

by that I mean don't insult them or come off as arrogant

or tell the interviewer you want to ass-rape his daughter in the picture behind him on the credenza

but go in with the mindset that this will be good practice no matter what the outcome

go in with a mindset unburdened with hopes and expectations...

reset your goal away from "landing the job" and re-focus your goal to be how well you communicate your understanding of their business and your personal value

[erkishhorde]

I graduate in may... not to excited to become a professional interviewer.

I can foresee a LOT of these strange questions.

So far from friends I've heard:

"why are manhole covers round"
"if you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be"
"have you ever stolen"


What did you say ?

So, why are manhole covers round?

[Ddan]

Round ones can't fall in the hole

[erkishhorde]

Round ones can't fall in the hole

Hehe, I posted spontaneously and that was 2nd answer I came up with. First was that a round object is less likely to have high stress concentrations in any one point once you take the cover off so you don't chip or deform a corner making it difficult to put it back on.

[psycledelic]

The strangest question I have been asked in an interview:

"So, you think you would like to work here?" 

Answer I wanted to give:

Dumbass, You didn't recruit me.  I came here for an interview. 

Answer I gave:

"Yes Sir, I believe I do."

[Duck-Stew]

"Do you play Euchre?"

    "Yes, quite well."

"We'll see about that."


Got the job... They needed a 4th player for the lunchtime game, every day.

[Speedbag]

Finish the interview by asking them a question: "Is there anything about what you have been able to discern from me so far that makes you think I wouldn't be able to perform in this job?"

I've done this twice (got both jobs) and it throws the interviewer for a loop. They're never ready for it.

Usually you'll know early on if you really want to work there. And, like Rat said, sociopathic skills are helpful.

[The Architect]

Strangest interview question?  "What's your favorite animal?"

I answered, "Rhino."

She said, "Act it out..."



I got the job, btw... 

You should have said "rabbit..........

Because I can screw all day!!!!!"

Then hopped around the room stopping only to make a humping motion.     

[ItsaDuc]

You should have said "rabbit..........

Because I can screw all day!!!!!"

Then hopped around the room stopping only to make a humping motion.     

[RAT900]

Gawd I now recall interviewing with an HR guy who had a make the beast with two backsing WALL EYE....I had no clue which eye to make contact with...it could have been a Candid Camera stunt


Uncle Buck Movie Clip

[LMT]

I like interviewing. I have only ever not been offered a job after an interview 3 times.

At PeopleSoft I was interviewed by 4 team members and one asked me what magazines did I subscribe to.

I answered truthfully, MotorCycle Consumer News, The Economist, Cooks Illustrated, and American Handgunner.

Got the job.

[The Bacon Junkie]

You should have said "rabbit..........

Because I can screw all day!!!!!"

Then hopped around the room stopping only to make a humping motion.     

I said because I'm always horny...  (get it? rhino... horny?)

Actually, I didn't say that, but I did end up "dating" my boss.