I don't think I could be hired today

[BOBOT]

I once walked out of an interview when I was asked to role play a situation with an imaginary client.

I can't imagine having to deal with this kind of BS.

 

[Lazarus]

Last interview was 25 years ago. None of that silliness.

 

[okapi]

I agree.I would probably end up in prison.Can"t take peoples bs anymore.

 

[Texas Proud]

Some are interesting....


I had an internal interview at my mega.... they thought there were a few good candidates so they sent us a request to write instructions on how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich....

 

[timeasterday]

Actually I would have fun with those kind of questions. What I don't like are the standard structured interview questions here at work. Like this:

"[FONT=&quot]Describe a time when you changed established procedures or processes. How did you get others to follow? How did you deal with people who either could not, or would not, cooperate? What were the results?"

[/FONT]I guess I'm not the Megacorp type but unfortunately that's where I am for now.

 

[prof12]

I absolutely cannot stand that feel-good garbage where everyone hugs and kisses and sings kumbaya!!!!! I hated to go to meetings and conferences where that silliness seemed to be the order of the day. I've even been asked, as part of the icebreaking,"what kind of a boat I am" or what kind of a shoe"--totally, at least to me, inane and insulting. As a professional, I tried to treat--and expected to be treated--as such.

Someone reads about, or goes to a conference and views, some hairbrained idea, and suddenly it becomes SOP. One more reminder of why I'm glad I'm out!!!!

Prof 12

 

[NW-Bound]

My last few jobs, I was never submitted to such "hardship" because they were contracting work. In one job, the corp knew me from my work in that field and did not even ask for a CV; they contacted me and asked me to help them.

I would not care to apply for another regular job. Would become a hermit boondocking in my RV before it comes to that. I feel sorry for my children now, as they still have a long working life in front of them and will have to change job a few times before able to call it quit.

 

[Major Tom]

I have had very few job interviews in my life. The last one was 21 years ago and was fairly brief, though the guy who hired me was very astute and was probably sizing me up during what seemed like a casual conversation. All other work I had since then (which was in addition to this main gig) was as a result of people coming to me because they knew who I was and what I could do. Thank goodness for that. At this point in my life, the idea of having to prove myself to anyone goes against the grain but I know that there are still many smaller employers who value individuals. If I had to find work, I could.

I don't want to though

 

[Sarah in SC]

I had a really tough one for a non-profit, where 8 people interviewed me at once.
I don't think I could pull off looking serious if asked how to make a PB&J. I might be equally unemployable, but then again, I've never worked in a place with more than 30 employees. And God willing, never will.

 

[bUU]

I dread - utterly dread - the prospect of ever again interviewing for a job. My spouse's recent experience was that the expectations that most employers today inflict on candidates are ridiculously unreasonable. There are simply far too many people chasing far too few decent jobs for the process to be anything other than completely abusive to any sensitive candidate who isn't a cousin of Superman.

 

[Texas Proud]

I had a really tough one for a non-profit, where 8 people interviewed me at once.
I don't think I could pull off looking serious if asked how to make a PB&J. I might be equally unemployable, but then again, I've never worked in a place with more than 30 employees. And God willing, never will.

Just to be clear.... since we were internal candidates we had to write down how to make the PB&J and send it to them.... we got 24 hours... I am not sure that I could have kept a straight face if asked that question directly...

 

[Sarah in SC]

Just to be clear.... since we were internal candidates we had to write down how to make the PB&J and send it to them.... we got 24 hours... I am not sure that I could have kept a straight face if asked that question directly...

I just wonder what in the hell they could ascertain about your qualifications from reading your instructions? A dartboard would have been more intellectually honest to aid in their selection. Or maybe pin the tail on the donkey.

 

[Gotadimple]

Just to be clear.... since we were internal candidates we had to write down how to make the PB&J and send it to them.... we got 24 hours... I am not sure that I could have kept a straight face if asked that question directly...

Just a test to check on your ability to write clearly and think logically. It answers the question: are you a good communicator.

Other employers ask for writing samples.

-- Rita

 

[GalaxyBoy]

On the other side of the coin, DW sat on an interview board for an administrative position in a state government job. One of the rules was that all questions had to be determined prior to interviewing any candidates, and under no circumstances could any candidate be asked a question that deviated from the list. To ask one a different question from the others was not being "fair." Our tax dollars at work, I suppose.

 

[Midpack]

A penguin walks through that door right now wearing a sombrero. What does he say and why is he here?"

You must be kidding.

After my initial reaction, I'd probably conclude they did me a favor by showing their true colors before I seriously considered employment with that company. I'd like to know what answer would appeal to that employer? Can't imagine...

My HR Manager asked us to conclude all interviews with 'what one word would you use to describe yourself?' It seemed harmless enough so we did it, but it really never told us much. Most of the answers were predictably grand but unsubstantiated and therefore useless, though a few candidates actually managed to shoot themselves in the foot with one word.

 

[powerplay]

It's so good to be retired!
I can't imagine being interviewed and facing such silly questions. It would be difficult to not laugh. Some of the comments below the article are great.

As I look at volunteer opportunities some of the forms they want you to fill out are looking a little to much like "work", but I get to choose what I want to volunteer for or not. If they make the hassle factor too high I just pass up that volunteer gig and look for something else. At least in the volunteer world there are no discussions about compensation.

 

[timeasterday]

On the other side of the coin, DW sat on an interview board for an administrative position in a state government job. One of the rules was that all questions had to be determined prior to interviewing any candidates, and under no circumstances could any candidate be asked a question that deviated from the list. To ask one a different question from the others was not being "fair." Our tax dollars at work, I suppose.

Not just the government. Our Megacorp has a standard pool of questions and you have to pick a set of questions for a particular position. Everyone interviewed for that position must be asked the exact same questions. I'm sure there's some CYA legal-type reason for that.

 

[Katsmeow]

I was once asked in an interview for a job as an assistant D.A.:

Have you watched the Rocky Horror Picture Show?

I hadn't and that was that. I've never seen an interview go south so quick. Apparently pretty much everyone in the office had seen it and they liked to talk about it, etc. and the fact I hadn't meant I wouldn't fit in. I mean, the interviewer who asked me actually said I was being asked to find out if I would fit in. Another interviewer at the same interview wanted to know what book I had last read and then wanted a summary of what it was about when he hadn't heard of it.

That said -- those weren't the worse interview questions I got. The worst were:

How do you feel about competing with men?

Wouldn't it bother you to go up in a case against a man since you might beat him by winning the case? (This was for a job as a litigation attorney).

Sometimes I send my clerks out to buy a bottle of whiskey, would that bother you?

We might have to occasionally travel on business. If someone saw me at the airport with my bag and saw you at the airport with your little bag, they might wonder. Would that bother you?

How do you see your family plans (I was single in my mid-20's at the time but had allowed that in due course I might get married and have a family although I had no plans to do so at the time) as opposed to your career plans?

Yes, these interviews were in the late 1970s....

 

[Tyro]

3. "How many quarters would you need to reach the height of the Empire State building?"

None, if I took the stairs; 100 if I took the elevator. (Adult tickets cost $25) Things To Do In NYC - Observation Deck Tickets | Empire State Building

 

[Amethyst]

For one of my first job interviews right out of college (I applied to be an administrative assistant in a real estate office) I was asked if I were married or engaged. The interviewer was a woman, and I didn't realize the question was illegal (I was extremely naive). I said I was engaged (which I was) and she said that was good, since "the other girls hate it when a new pretty girl shows up and steals the men."

I didn't get the job, and wasn't sorry. I would not have "fit in."

Amethyst

 

[frayne]

Years ago I conducted many interviews with potential new hires. The list of questions that HR insisted on being asked were usually pretty lame and I would ask my own, open ended questions in order to get the person to talk about themselves. My main concern(s) were; their work ethic, ability to fit in and work together with others as well as their ability. It always amazed me how poorly people with college educations came across during the interview process.

 

[scrabbler1]

Last interview was 25 years ago. None of that silliness.

+1. Glad I'm retired.

 

[eytonxav]

Aside from some of the ridiculous structured interview questions, nowadays many companies want applicants to complete an online psychological profile, where they ask questions that have answers that are obviously what the company wants to hear, as well as some pretty silly choices, what a waste of time and $s.

 

[MichaelB]

Aside from some of the ridiculous structured interview questions, nowadays many companies want applicants to complete an online psychological profile, where they ask questions that have answers that are obviously what the company wants to hear, as well as some pretty silly choices, what a waste of time and $s.

Psychological profile? OMG! I'd never have been hired.

A few of the questions make sense for very specific situations, especially in high tech, but mostly I suspect they help interviewers feel they are actually doing something useful.

 

[Nodak]

My last interview was 30 years ago; there's no way I would ever be hired if those are the kinds of questions asked now. Very glad to be retired.