Hey fellow ozbargainers. As the title says: what's the weirdest interview question you've ever been asked? It seems like in this day and age, a lot of companies tend to be more creative with what they ask interview candidates. I guess the age-old 'What animal would you choose to be and why' is no longer a preferable question to ask (and probably because everyone gives similar answers relating to power, freedom, etc). Looking forward to reading some quirky questions :P
What's the weirdest interview question you've ever been asked?
lizzle on 12/10/2015 - 12:55
Last edited 12/10/2015 - 15:25
Last edited 12/10/2015 - 15:25
Comments
You work for JB Hifi?
no it was interview with commsec. go figure.. that was the very last question. i think they just want to catch someone off guard, by asking out of ordinary question and see how well people respond
what happens if I say I don't have an iPod?
My reply would be idream
iPod? What are we, in 2010?
Hipsters would be using retro sony walkman's anyway, not iPods
I would throw them a curve ball back with a response like: "Marilyn Manson, NIN, Slipknot… haha just kidding, only white male pop singers on my list.. like Michael Jackson".
I would then proceed to get out and look for another job.I use Zune!
which is the best country you have visited and why?
Your response?
Mine: People call India the worst, but to me it's the ozbargainers dream and my favourite. Can travel the whole country inexpensively on trains. eat cheap and delicious curry for $1-2 a meal. Stay in guest houses up mountains, on beaches and in interesting cities for between $3-10 a night and do it for 6 months at a time without spending more than $2 to $3k if you budget.
Annnnd my imagined response: you're not hired. We don't want your lazy backpacker ass working here and planning your next adventure.
I've been to India.
Sure it has all those things but didn't you find it desperately depressing seeing people LIVING on those islands on the road, children begging for money and women being treated so horribly etc?I would say it was certainly EYE OPENING but 'best' is too much for me.
My response was: "unnamed country" because of "the women".
Needless to say I bombed out at the final stage. :0(
Good. That is a disgusting response.
Did you lick your lips as you said it, with your tongue fully extended like a reptile?
If not, then ofcourse you bombed. Nobody likes a halfassed performance
@Beethoven: why is that comment so "disgusting". I could see how it would be a disgusting response if they explicitly stated that the "women were easy to lay with in X country" and "they're good on bed.." etc, etc.. But when I read his commends, I believe he/she is implying that they saw a lot of attractive women in that country and admired their beauty.
I guess it comes down to assumptions and internal biases.
@Beethoven: Men look at women, women look at men, men look at men, and women look at women and fantasise about sex. Seriously, fantasising doesn't hurt anyone, and it's probably the reason why we as a species continue to reproduce.
@Islund:
There's a thin man that has kept me company for some time now. His skin is pale from a lifetime of avoiding sunlight, and thin, so so thin, almost to the point of translucence. He stands behind me throughout the day, always wearing the same dark-greyish blueish suit, somehow keeping in shadow even during the brightest of moments. On occasion he will bend down, level with my ear but facing dead ahead, place a cool hand on my shoulder and announce something, at a level barely above a whisper. I never ask how he knows the things he knows, or why he deems it necessary to tell me these things. I just know he's rarely wrong.On the occasion I read your comment and deigned to type a response, he told me that you did not do the lizard tongue.
@outlander: wow, awesome writing. I did not expect to see this level of creativity on ozbargain. Most mega-upvoted posts on the reddit writing threads aren't this good. Thin translucent man. I loved the way he was level with your ear but staring right ahead, very evocative. Keep it up
@Meconium:
Meconium please, your praise is far too much. Its completely unnecessary.And yet, I could stand to hear more. Do continue..
I've never travelled overseas because I always like to stay close at hand in case there is a work emergency that no one else can handle or fix.
Japan Duh.
Actually agree. Clean, Friendly people, good food.
My FAVOURITE food actually.
Yup, another vote here for Japan!
Obviously. Problem is, you come across as a hopeless weeaboo, especially if you learned the language and have spent a good amount of time over there…
Australia. That's why I live here.
Weirdest question I was asked was
Would you like to work for us?
It threw me off :)
Weirdest question I've asked someone during a job interview was:
Who would win a fight between Spider-man and Superman?
Superman. Easy.
And what answer were you looking for?
It was a typing error. The question I actually asked was "Who would win a fight between spider-man and Batman?"
I wasn't really looking for any answer in particular. The candidate was head and shoulder above all the others on paper. But in person , he was shy and nervous.The other 2 interviewers were putting him through the wringer and he was slowly digging himself into a hole.I could see little beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
We had a list of questions that HR had prepared for us. The one that I was meant to ask him was "Tell us why you deserve the job more than the 5 other candidates who have been shortlisted?" I thought I'd cut him some slack and ask him an easy question.
He said Batman because of all the resources he/Bruce Wayne enterprise has at his fingertips; because he has the support of his team (Alfred, Robin, Batgirl…); because he would lock himself in his batcave and research the hell out of Spider-man, learn about his strengths and weaknesses…etc
More importantly, the candidate relaxed. He smiled. You could see the person he really is, under that borrowed suit and when there isn't 3 complete strangers sitting there, throwing curve-balls at him and judging him.I liked what I saw. I also liked his answer. So I gave him the job on the spot.
Of course, I got in trouble for that. Final decision was always going to be mine but I believe I was supposed to drag this out, make the suspense last like one of those ridiculous rose ceremony on the Bachelor.
hahahaha @the rose ceremony on the Bachelor! I hate how they always drag things on reality tv show, wasting my already not enough time.
But how nice of you to do that, trying to make him relax instead of helping him dig even deeper hole for him. Of course you also get what you want, getting to know him better and see the real him, but yeah I don't think a lot of people would have done that :)
Batman, Spidey just doesn't have the funding :P
Obviously Spider-man would kick his ass. Can I have a job now please? :(
Spiderman wouldn't even have a chance without kryptonite.
Neither as they are from different universes (Marvel and DC).
Activate nerd cred mode.
Actually, it's been done. Like, for real. It was a Marvel/DC one shot comic done back in the 1970s or so. I've read a digital version of it. Lex poses as Superman at first and Spidy tries to protect Lois and Mary, fails, and Lex buggers off. Superman (the real one) then thinks Spidy was trying to hurt Lois and gets into a fight, but then flies away when to have a think. He also accidentally radiates / makes Spidy stronger and then when they have more fisty fights Spidy calls off the fights.
So, really, the person who won is neither. They both ran away and had a little think to themselves.
Batman. He probably carries bug spray on his belt…
The Mrs got asked that question and she replied "Doing your job." lol
you cant say that! you made the interviewer feeling not secure. best is stay in the company, getting comfortable with current role therefore can help other tasks if needed, and prepare myself, ready to see other opportunity within organisation.
5 years is a long time to get "comfortable with current role". It shows a lack of ambition.
Btw she got the job and within 18 months was doing 'higher duties'. 3 years later, her interviewer had a mental breakdown and guess who got her job?
Possessions and greed do funny things to people.
She is not motivated by money or power. She knows her worth and is probably a bit jaded. Working in the welfare sector does that to you.
I think she was slightly taken aback but gave her the job anyway .
@JohnKG: Yes I am now doing her job, unfortunately. If I could demote myself I would. I miss the field work.
i've litterally had someone shout at me and go nuts answering that when i was younger. they considered it as not having enough confidence and ambition. I tought it meant i was loyal… turned out we were all wrong that day
I was asked that question for a job interview. I told the CEO I would like to run a company like his. His 2IC was also there. He said "You won't live that long".
I laughed. I got the job and worked there for almost 10 years.In that time I never worked out whether the 2IC meant:
(a) you will not progress fast enough; or (more likely)
(b) I will kill you first.Great job, good times. I think I got the job because they knew they it was rough and tumble and I wouldn't be offended easily.
I don't know, I don't have 20 20 vision.
YES! Got to use it again!
I don't know, I don't have 20 20 vision.
That's the worst answer you can give.
I think it's a cheesy ice breaker. I would love to hear it in an interview, but you can only use it for the next 2 months. The joke won't ever be able to be used again.
nvm
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I think my favourite interview, and probably weirdest 'interview question' when you think about the context, was when I walked up to the admin desk in the office of a department store and said "Hello, I was wondering if I could fill out an application for any upcoming positions," and the woman looked me up and down and replied with "When would you like to start? Would tomorrow suit you?". Shortest interview ever.
The job was to "Clean the pool", right?
are you a girl?
I was asked which colour of M&M would you use to distribute at a social event and why? keeping in mind some colours may be offensive to some religion or people from certain background.
What colours are offensive based on religion?
I am genuinely interested.I know that famous Chinese green hat story but does that relate to food?
they wanted to see the reasoning of my choice. i chose a colour and my reasons but interviewer just kept on cutting me off that that may offend XYZ and so on. i gathered that they were looking for a specific colour/answer rather than verbal reasoning.
PS - job was in financial service industryYellow - Star of David
What kind of job were you going for? Assistant Director of Anal-Retentive Political Correctness?
Blue
I would have answered that I would choose to distribute pieces of fruit instead and then anyone who is offended by the colour of the fruit would be perceived as being weird.
Your response should be, "I'm color blind you insensitive clod!"
"tell me something about yourself that no one would know about you?"
I spend wwwwwaaaaaaaaaayyyy to much time on an internet bargain site.
no, people know that about me ;)
if i told you, then I would have to kill you.
If no one knows why would you tell the interviewer, who is a complete stranger?
Apparently it was a question about intuition and trust.
Whether or not you were able to build a relationship with the interviewer and to see if you knew what was an appropriate item to share with them in the small amount of time you have known them. Also to judge how quick thinking you are in forming this answer.
Q1 - Do you do drugs
A1 - Everyday
Q2 - Where do you see yourself in five years
A2 - Do I look like a psychic?
Q3 - What is your greatness weakness
A3 - That stupid question
Q3 - What is your greatest strength
A3 - Restraining myself from throwing you through that plate glass window
Q4 - Do you like playing with children
A4 - Say that again real slow
Q5 - Sell me this pen
A5 - Throws pen across room
Q6 - What are your hobbies?
A6 - Are you asking me on a date?
Q7 - What 2 items would you bring to a deserted island?
A7 - Why would I be on a deserted island in the first place?
Q8 - Do you have any criminal convictions?
A9 - No, never been caught
The last one is much funnier if you simply say "Convictions?" followed by an extremely long pause as you mull it over, and finally, "no".
And the response? Here's our reference number and my name and contact for you to put on your jobseeking forms for your job network member - Good luck.
Q3 - What is your greatness weakness
I would just say kryptonite… if its good enough to be the weakness of Superman, its good enough for me XP
Q7 - What 2 items would you bring to a deserted island?
- A teleportation device with batteries
- A spare teleportation device
What four people, dead or alive, would you invite to dinner?
The alive ones….. unless I'm eating them.
Gold.
I never know how to answer that.
For some people I would want to speak to them alone not together. It would be weird having dinner with like Stalin and Jesus together. Stalin would likely keep interrupting Jesus. No fun there. What a waste.
I've been asked:
- How many golf balls could you fit in this room? (They just wanted to see me solve a near impossible question and that I didnt shy away from it)
- How many golf balls in the world do you think are in the air right now (Same guy, obviously a golf ball fetish)
- If you were driving along and there was thunderstorm looming and seen your best mate, the love of your life and an elderly lady waiting at a bus stop in the middle of no where and you only had 1 seat available in your car, who would you pick up and why? (this is a trick question with a more correct answer, you can work it out)
- The last 3 people we have offered this job too have turned it down, any guesses why? (this wasn't true but its a great way to probe objections)
My best mate is the love of my life, and perhaps they are an elderly lady too. So it could all be the same person. Problem solved. :)
Not quite the official answer, but I'm sure you could sell it that way. They really just want to see your thought process as opposed to your final answer.
What is it? This is driving me crazy.
@minMaxRNG: It's pretty much what mgowen said… at least that's what I've been told anyway. Perfect answer was always to have your best mate to take the old lady home and for you to stay and wait with the love of your life.
Pull up, show concern for the elderly lady. Have your best mate drive her home.
Then apologise to the love of your life that you couldn't fit her in the car too. Offer to see her safely home. You are caught in the storm and have to just walk home in it, laughing at how soaking wet you both are. She is touched by your concern for the old lady and drawn to you through your shared experience in the storm. You say your place is closer than hers, and offer to let her use your shower and your clothes.
Ten years later, she tells this story at your wedding.
offer to let her use your shower and your clothes.
You've been doing it wrong. You put the wet clothes in the washing machine (Important: Don't turn it on!) and you offer to share your body heat with them to warm them up. Less than 6 months later you get married. 3 months later, you have a mini-you.
Mostly this
Pull up, show concern for the elderly lady. Have your best mate drive her home.
Then proceed to sit down next to the love of your life and ask the following question whilst doing the best impersonation of Joey from Friends, "How you doin".
Problem solved next question!
Get your love to drive the granny home. Your best mate can walk home in the rain with you.
What songs are on your ipod?