Ever been asked a stupid question in an interview?

TheBody · 28-07-2011 05:13PM #1

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 · 28-07-2011 05:16PM

"Where do you see yourself in five years?"

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

Bonavox · 28-07-2011 05:17PM

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 · 28-07-2011 05:18PM

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

EL_Loco · 28-07-2011 05:19PM

Daddy or Chips?

carefulnow100 · 28-07-2011 05:19PM

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 · 28-07-2011 05:20PM

@TheBody..That dude sounded like an asshole

Frank Black · 28-07-2011 05:21PM

"What are your worst traits?"

"Well sometime I care too much about my job.

And I like to torture small animals."

Sky King · 28-07-2011 05:21PM

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 · 28-07-2011 05:21PM

You're an angry elf

Frank Black · 28-07-2011 05:22PM

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 · 28-07-2011 05:22PM

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 · 28-07-2011 05:23PM

"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 · 28-07-2011 05:24PM

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 · 28-07-2011 05:26PM

"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 · 28-07-2011 05:26PM

"are you picturing me nakid?"

"yes, is that okay?"

"yes, but please stop masturbating though

"

Frank Black · 28-07-2011 05:31PM

"Muggh muggah agh mugagh agh"

"I beg your pardon?"

"I said please remove your cock from my mouth"

MattyMor · 28-07-2011 05:31PM

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 · 28-07-2011 05:32PM

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

Me: Eh... 10....

Lawrence1895 · 28-07-2011 05:32PM

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:

28-07-2011 05:35PM

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 · 28-07-2011 05:36PM

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

FouxDaFaFa · 28-07-2011 05:40PM

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 · 28-07-2011 05:42PM

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 · 28-07-2011 05:45PM

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 · 28-07-2011 05:57PM

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 · 28-07-2011 06:08PM

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 · 28-07-2011 06:25PM

"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 · 28-07-2011 06:26PM

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 · 28-07-2011 06:27PM

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

montreal2011 · 28-07-2011 06:28PM

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!)

Ever been asked a stupid question in an interview?

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