Ever been asked a stupid question in an interview?

TheBody

A few years ago I did an interview for a maths teaching job in a VEC. (Am I allowed say what vec?) There was two jobs going. One with full hours and one with just 9 hours. I was BADLY stuck for the job.

So the interview was going well and was being asked the usual questions. Then one MORON on the interview panel asked me how I would cope with discipline in the classroom considering how short I am!!!!!!! I'm 5' 6''. I honestly didn't know whether to rip his head off for asking such a stupid and totally inappropiate question or bite my tongue. In the end I decided to answer the question and said something like I'd be able to handle it. To this day, I regret not tearing into him. How F**KING dare he!!

I was offered the 9 hour job which I turned down. It was suggested to me by a friend that maybe I was offered the 9 hours to reflect my height!! (P.S. I got a full time job after)

So has anyone else ever been asked a stupid/inappropiate question in an interview?

chin_grin

"Where do you see yourself in five years?"

"Celebrating the fifth year anniversary of you asking me this question."

Bonavox

TheBody wrote: »

A few years ago I did an interview for a maths teaching job in a VEC. (Am I allowed say what vec?) There was two jobs going. One with full hours and one with just 9 hours. I was BADLY stuck for the job.

So the interview was going well and was being asked the usual questions. Then one MORON on the interview panel asked me how I would cope with discipline in the classroom considering how short I am!!!!!!! I'm 5' 6''. I honestly didn't know whether to rip his head off for asking such a stupid and totally inappropiate question or bite my tongue. In the end I decided to answer the question and said something like I'd be able to handle it. To this day, I regret not tearing into him. How F**KING dare he!!

I was offered the 9 hour job which I turned down. It was suggested to me by a friend that maybe I was offered the 9 hours to reflect my height!! (P.S. I got a full time job after)

So has anyone else ever been asked a stupid/inappropiate question in an interview?

Don't worry, interviewers look down on everyone.

stevenmu

It sounds like a test to see how easily you lose your temper. Seems like it worked too

EL_Loco

Daddy or Chips?

carefulnow100

Do you see yourself moving up the ladder in a few years time?


I was 17 doing an interview for a summer job in a fast food chain.


No, no I don't.

GaryMunster

@TheBody..That dude sounded like an asshole

Frank Black

"What are your worst traits?"

"Well sometime I care too much about my job.

And I like to torture small animals."

Sky King

I did one of those bullspit behavioural interviews that HR gimps use to justify their existence for a big medical devices company. The premise of the thing is that they ask spasticatedly vague questions and allow you to provide the context with your answer.

Her: 'Tell me about change'
Me: 'You mean like in my job?'
Her: 'I can only repeat the question.'

'Sake!

Anyway I failed that test and went on to have a successful engineering career with their main competitor, so so much for their stupid fuking tests.

Gandalph

You're an angry elf

Frank Black

carefulnow100 wrote: »

Do you see yourself moving up the ladder in a few years time?


I was 17 doing an interview for a summer job in a fast food chain.


No, no I don't.

Maybe they meant when you're washing the windows.

Killinator

The standard interview questions:
"Have you any bad/poor qualities?"

"Erm, ya, I have sticky fingers, I don't pay attention, I'm not a good timekeeper and I have a bad attitude"

What are you supposed to say, or do they just want to hear that 'you work too hard'!

Dravokivich

"I've got 3 level 60's, what are your characters like?"

It was at that point I decided to end the fúcking interview. The fúckcúnt interviewing me didn't know the job was based on customer service and he was meant to be some sort of manager there.

Einhard

Two questions I really hate:

1. Why are you interested in this position?

Honest Answer: I need the money.

Expected Answer: Well, I feel this position is perfect for me because the company itself is a leader in its field, and I've been hugely impressed in what I've read about them, and the emphasis they put on personal development...yada fuppin yada...

2. So, do you have any questions you'd like to ask us?

Honest Answer: Is this the end of the interview?/ Are your tits real? They're huge/ Where's the jacks?

Expected Answer: Well, actually I do! In terms of career development, what opportunities are available within the company, because my interest in this position isn't at all about the salary, no siree, but about how I can grow as an individual, and grow the company too.

Blah blah fuppin blah.

Pherekydes

"Where were you at 10.12 p.m. on May 25th, 1976?"

WTF, am I a database?

Another bad one: "Would you like to go large with that?"

Saila

"are you picturing me nakid?"

"yes, is that okay?"

"yes, but please stop masturbating though "

Frank Black

"Muggh muggah agh mugagh agh"

"I beg your pardon?"

"I said please remove your cock from my mouth"

MattyMor

I was asked how many units of alcohol I drink per week.

Ehhh..

In the words of Tommy Tiernan "a small child full of alcohol!"

Degag

Interviewer: On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate yourself as a *job position*

Me: Eh... 10....

Lawrence1895

A few years ago, I was applying for a job as a Social Worker. A permanent position btw.

'When are you going back to Germany?', was the question.

Why should I apply for a permanent position and at the same time, consider a move back to Germany??? :mad:

Einhard

Einhard wrote: »

Two questions I really hate:

1. Why are you interested in this position?

Honest Answer: I need the money.

Expected Answer: Well, I feel this position is perfect for me because the company itself is a leader in its field, and I've been hugely impressed in what I've read about them, and the emphasis they put on personal development...yada fuppin yada...

2. So, do you have any questions you'd like to ask us?

Honest Answer: Is this the end of the interview?/ Are your tits real? They're huge/ Where's the jacks?

Expected Answer: Well, actually I do! In terms of career development, what opportunities are available within the company, because my interest in this position isn't at all about the salary, no siree, but about how I can grow as an individual, and grow the company too.

Blah blah fuppin blah.

Pretty moronic response - they aren't trying to catch you out asking what interests you - they are trying to see if your expectations of the job match what the day to day is.

For example -

A: I'm interested in this position because I get to deal with clients...

"this isn't a client facing role."

Now you know it's not suitable.

As for your second question - if you have any doubts, or concerns that prevent you from making an informed decision - this is the opportunity to ask them. This is perhaps the *last* opportunity to ask them. The employer isn't asking those questions so you can feed them BS - they legitimately want honest answers because it allows everyone to make a mature decision.

A concept clearly wasted on some.

Back on Topic:

Worst interview question I've ever heard -

Interviewer jumped out of their chair screaming "WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF A CLIENT COMPLETELY LOST THE PLOT WITH YOU"

The individual on the receiving end was fairly senior so thanked the interviewers for their time and walked out.

Son Of A Vidic

Any stupid question I was ever asked, was usually easily answered if the prick had bothered to read the CV properly,

FouxDaFaFa

God, I hate the BS questions you get asked in interviews.
I always dread the "tell us about the last time you had a difficult situation at work and how you dealt with it". I have some pretty bizarre stuff happen where I work. What am I supposed to say?

"Well, this one time a topless guy with a swastika tattoo and a knife strapped to his thigh and a guy with pink hair and a "gay pride" tshirt were both in the shop at the same time. I worried for a while that Swastika guy might murder Pride guy. I dealt with the situation by sweating profusely and trying to block Pride guy by hovering around him. This freaked him out so much that he left the shop, unharmed".

Not exactly something you can put on your CV.:(

EL_Loco

Deleted User wrote: »

Pretty moronic response - they aren't trying to catch you out asking what interests you - they are trying to see if your expectations of the job match what the day to day is.

For example -

A: I'm interested in this position because I get to deal with clients...

"this isn't a client facing role."

Now you know it's not suitable.

As for your second question - if you have any doubts, or concerns that prevent you from making an informed decision - this is the opportunity to ask them. This is perhaps the *last* opportunity to ask them. The employer isn't asking those questions so you can feed them BS - they legitimately want honest answers because it allows everyone to make a mature decision.

A concept clearly wasted on some.

fierce bang of HR off you.

Einhard

Deleted User wrote: »

Pretty moronic response - they aren't trying to catch you out asking what interests you - they are trying to see if your expectations of the job match what the day to day is.

For example -

A: I'm interested in this position because I get to deal with clients...

"this isn't a client facing role."

Now you know it's not suitable.

As for your second question - if you have any doubts, or concerns that prevent you from making an informed decision - this is the opportunity to ask them. This is perhaps the *last* opportunity to ask them. The employer isn't asking those questions so you can feed them BS - they legitimately want honest answers because it allows everyone to make a mature decision.

A concept clearly wasted on some.

Jesus, lighten up fella, it's AH!

Although, then again, I'm currently au chomage as they say in some country where English isn't spoken, so maybe I should take note of your joyless pearls of wisdom!;)

dilallio

I was working for a large company a few years ago who sent a small group of people every year, for 2 weeks on placement with the Barton Trust, an excellent organisation who do great work with disadvantaged kids.

I applied and went to be interviewed by a senior and junior HR person.

The interview went quiet well, until the section where I got to ask them questions.

I asked "What type of children attend the camp?"

The junior HR person immediately answered "Tinkers from Tuam!"

:eek:

I replied "Surely you mean travellers?" but before she could reply, the senior HR person says "I think we'll leave it there - thanks for your time"

There were others waiting outside so I couldn't listen to hear what happened after that.

c_man

Him: Name your three desert island discs

I can't remember what I said but I rattled off three classics.

Him: But but, they're old. I want newer ones
Me: No... I'm happy enough with them
Him: There must be a new one?!
Me: Ok, umm Avril Lavinge's latest?
Him: Great!

Didn't get the job, don't think I wanted it.

krudler

"can you give one example of a time you showed initiative?"

Well I dragged my ass in here to listen to your lazy questions, being that you're working in HR and have therefore failed at life in general, you're really not one to be asking me about initiative. Although one time I had a danger **** at work, does that count?

krudler

dilallio wrote: »

I was working for a large company a few years ago who sent a small group of people every year, for 2 weeks on placement with the Barton Trust, an excellent organisation who do great work with disadvantaged kids.

I applied and went to be interviewed by a senior and junior HR person.

The interview went quiet well, until the section where I got to ask them questions.

I asked "What type of children attend the camp?"

The junior HR person immediately answered "Tinkers from Tuam!"

:eek:

I replied "Surely you mean travellers?" but before she could reply, the senior HR person says "I think we'll leave it there - thanks for your time"

There were others waiting outside so I couldn't listen to hear what happened after that.

Thats probably the most honest answer anyone from HR has ever given,ever, in the history of the world.

Nolanger

"Are you currently on medication?" Then I realised it was the Garda conducting a fake interview for a bank to suss me out!

montreal2011

TheBody wrote: »

Then one MORON on the interview panel asked me how I would cope with discipline in the classroom considering how short I am!!!!!!! I'm 5' 6''. I honestly didn't know whether to rip his head off for asking such a stupid and totally inappropiate question or bite my tongue. In the end I decided to answer the question and said something like I'd be able to handle it. To this day, I regret not tearing into him. How F**KING dare he!!

I can see how this would annoy you, but it does seem like a good question. The size and attitude of teens these days! However, it's probably inappropriate. I doubt they would ask a skinny or obese person how they would handle discipline in the class "considering how [thin ¦ fat] you are"! (A: Show ribs ¦ Bodyslam!)

LeeHoffmann

Having read in my application that I speak "fluent" german, an interviewer asked me whether it's really possible to be fluent in a second language given the texture of a language? What kind of esoteric bull**** is that?! That was the first real question they asked me too! I answered but it turned into this really long strange debate about learning foreign languages. After 5 minutes on this irrelevant topic, I shut it down.

goose2005

Hey OP

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lt3sH5J4cxs

Scanlas The 2nd

Sky King wrote: »

I did one of those bullspit behavioural interviews that HR gimps use to justify their existence for a big medical devices company. The premise of the thing is that they ask spasticatedly vague questions and allow you to provide the context with your answer.

Her: 'Tell me about change'
Me: 'You mean like in my job?'
Her: 'I can only repeat the question.'

'Sake!

Anyway I failed that test and went on to have a successful engineering career with their main competitor, so so much for their stupid fuking tests.

Easy question, you were gifted that one. Pay attention.

Interviewer: Tell me about change.

Me: Well...you have your 5 cent coins 10 cent coins, your 20 cent coins, 50 cent coins, euro and 2 euro coins. People don't really use 1 cent and 2 cent coins these days. The worst thing about change is when it falls out of your pocket in your car, it's usually gone forever.

strokemyclover

Them: Do you have trouble waking up in the morning?
Me: No!

What am I suppose to say to that? And they were 10 minutes late for the interview at 8am!

py2006

I remember during an interview I asked a question. I can't remember what exactly it was but it was relevant to the position. The response:

We are interviewing YOU!

OneArt

A friend of mine got me an interview as a waiter for a cafe. During the interview she asked for a copy of my CV which I gave her, on which I stated I'd worked in an Irish pub in Germany for two months.

A month or so later, working in that job, me and the manager are just chatting about nothing really and my interest in German comes up.

"Oh you're doing German in college? Why didn't you go there during the summer?"

Did you even READ my CV?

Also, after losing a job I applied for a part time position delivering catalogues to houses. The pay was enough to cover food and rent. Anyway I rang the person told them I was living in Ballymun yadda yadda was looking for this job, told them I'm a student etc and I needed something stable to support myself with.

"Oh, okay. Do you have your own transport?"

Right. I'm a student, paying my own rent/bills etc and I'm looking for 150 a week to cover it. Of course I dont have my own f*cking transport.

sock puppet

OneArt wrote: »

"Oh, okay. Do you have your own transport?"

Right. I'm a student, paying my own rent/bills etc and I'm looking for 150 a week to cover it. Of course I dont have my own f*cking transport.

Em it's a pretty important job requirement I'd have thought.

nwoscum

It wasn't a question as such. But went for an interview in Dunleer and as I was introduced by good cop to bad cop...good cop told bad cop...he's from Dundalk but we won't hold that against him...bad cop said....without breaking a smile ....maybe we will....should I not have told him to stick the job up his hole....do you think this prick was testing me....

Kojak

Lars1916 wrote: »

A few years ago, I was applying for a job as a Social Worker. A permanent position btw.

'When are you going back to Germany?', was the question.

Why should I apply for a permanent position and at the same time, consider a move back to Germany??? :mad:

Maybe they thought you might commute from Germany?

Chinafoot

'If you were the garda commissioner how would you stop deaths on the road?'

This was for a job in a library.

amacca

An interviewer once asked me

so amacca (insert normal name here).....do you have any questions for us?


do I, do I ****!


Is it true you give free massages around here? (google - didnt like their HR witch...she obviously felt threatened by me:D)

policarp

Vat iss urr naame?

Bodhidharma

Idiotic HR one: "If you could have any job, what would it be?"

Me: "Profrssional Footballer"

Idiotic HR one: "eh . . . no, I meant in this company"

Couldn't even read her scripted questions properly, welcome to HR toots :cool:

amacca

Chinafoot wrote: »

'If you were the garda commissioner how would you stop deaths on the road?'

This was for a job in a library.

Somewhere in Templemore there's a very confused Garda recruit being asked how he would prevent fungal growth on the spines archived classics.

LighterGuy

wanna know what takes the biscuit?

In 2009 I had an interview with Boarders book/magazine store in the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre. 3 things will always stand out in my mind:

• Waiting on the interview I was asked to fill out an application form. They asked what sexual orientation I was. Ok whatever .... thought jobs couldnt ask that anymore but I answered. Im straight so I ticked straight.
• The next question was "what is your sexual preference? men, women or both" ... I was a bit like "WTF?" - lets be honest, its a book store/magazine store. Its exactly like easons. No different and its a poxy retail store... I could be the most flaming homosexual or the most menly of men. What does it matter? ... But I tick the "women" box.
• So form is all completed. manager comes along, takes my form and she brings me into the room ... I spend the next one hour, thats right, 60 MINUTUES, having an interview with her. Going over every question that could possibly be asked by my application form. Where I worked, what did I do. etc etc.

If thats not a mental interview I dont know what is. I wasnt applying to be a CEO of a company. I wasnt a doctor looking for a job. No I was some random guy trying to get a "mickey mouse" retail job.

later12

I work in a quantitative/ maths area and maths brainteasers are frequent interview questions in that area.

I guess the most bizarre that I have been asked.

How many potatoes are there in Ireland?
This was from a dour, middle aged British banker in a UK investment bank, at first I thought he was either being extremely rude, but this style of questioning is very frequent. A fellow candidate was asked 'how many bricks are there in Hong Kong?'

That was a very tough interview. He also asked me to imagine there were three points along a circle, x, y, z, and to tell him what the probability was that the three points made up a right angled triangle. I thought he was kidding, I hadn't a clue and sarcastically asked him if he knew how to do that.

To my disdain, he did. Needless to say, I was not hired.

LightningBolt

later10 wrote: »

I work in a quantitative/ maths area and maths brainteasers are frequent interview questions in that area.

I guess the most bizarre that I have been asked.

How many potatoes are there in Ireland?
This was from a dour, middle aged British banker in a UK investment bank, at first I thought he was either being extremely rude, but this style of questioning is very frequent. A fellow candidate was asked 'how many bricks are there in Hong Kong?'

That was a very tough interview. He also asked me to imagine there were three points along a circle, x, y, z, and to tell him what the probability was that the three points made up a right angled triangle. I thought he was kidding, I hadn't a clue and sarcastically asked him if he knew how to do that.

To my disdain, he did. Needless to say, I was not hired.

In fairness those types of questions are just asked to see how logical you are.

If you had answered well Ireland is 600,000 acres, 20% of them are used for agriculture, potatoes account for 20% of our agriculture output, you can farm 3,000 potatoes per acre therefore I'd guess 72,000,000 potatoes... They don't care about the answer it's more how you arrive at it.

Similar approach could be used for Hong Kong though I actually couldn't work out the final one!

kincsem

Interviewer: Do you play outfield?
Me: Yes

It was for an job with a firm of accountants in Africa. Previously answer "I play in goal for the office five-a-side soccer team". Looking back I had already got the job, but playing soccer was an extra qualifier.

Backstory: there was an annual accounting firms soccer tournament between the four big firms, and out firm had never lost. The partner who was interviewing me (Scottish, and in the country 22 years), was buddies with the partners in the other accounting firms, and all the legal firms. Sixteen of these top guys played golf every Wednesday. It was a source of pride that we had the best soccer team.

When I got out there I found out one of the staff had been a youth international, and most of the guys were useful.

We won again the two years I was there.

watna

LighterGuy wrote: »

wanna know what takes the biscuit?

In 2009 I had an interview with Boarders book/magazine store in the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre. 3 things will always stand out in my mind:

• Waiting on the interview I was asked to fill out an application form. They asked what sexual orientation I was. Ok whatever .... thought jobs couldnt ask that anymore but I answered. Im straight so I ticked straight.
• The next question was "what is your sexual preference? men, women or both" ... I was a bit like "WTF?" - lets be honest, its a book store/magazine store. Its exactly like easons. No different and its a poxy retail store... I could be the most flaming homosexual or the most menly of men. What does it matter? ... But I tick the "women" box.
• So form is all completed. manager comes along, takes my form and she brings me into the room ... I spend the next one hour, thats right, 60 MINUTUES, having an interview with her. Going over every question that could possibly be asked by my application form. Where I worked, what did I do. etc etc.

If thats not a mental interview I dont know what is. I wasnt applying to be a CEO of a company. I wasnt a doctor looking for a job. No I was some random guy trying to get a "mickey mouse" retail job.

Jobs can ask about sexual preference etc - It's not illiegal to ask but it is very very stupid. It's illegal to discriminate based on sexual orientation and by asking someone about it they are opening themselves up to you (or anyone) accusing them of discrimintating on that basis. If they don't ask about it then you have no grounds to think they are discriminating.

Any employer would be mad to ask about that or any of the other illegal grounds for discrimination. They were incredibly stupid to ask you - especially as it has no bearing on your ability to sell books. Very weird.

pickarooney

Isn't it to do with some quota crack for minorities?