What's the oddest interview question you've been asked?

[katzee]

After reading Admin2Geeks "creepy interveiw request", I was wondering about those ood interview questions that have dumbfounded you, shocked you or just seemed totally ridiculous.



Here's mine. When I interviewed for my current job, one of the attorneys asked "Do you plan to get married?" {I was single at the time} I didn't know how to answer. The little wheels in my mind begin to turn. First, its none of his business and  second, both he and I know that the question is off limits--just like asking one's age, religion, national origin, etc.-because it biased and smacks of discrimination. So, I look him straight in the eye and say my honey-dripping Scarlett O'Hara voice, "Is this a proposal? My mama always wanted me to have a BIG church wedding!" He sat speechless for about 30 seconds, then began to laugh   and I GOT the job. Now when we interview people, I make sure he doesn't ask such questions. Sometimes it pays to be a "Belle".



Kat

[Katie G]

Oh, Kat, that was sheer, unadulterated GENIUS!!!  Love it!



 

[jewels6567]

Kat - that is wonderful!



Mine wasn't really the oddest but definitely the most shocking to me.  I was interviewing for my current position and my boss just looked at me and said "How do you feel about stupid people and how do you deal with them?"  I realized at that moment that he and I would work extremely well together.  



Julie

[countrigal]

Kat... that was priceless!  What I wouldn't have given to be there to see his reaction!  I've never had any questions like that but even if I did I don't think on my feet that fast (logical, yes - come-back type, no).  I'm in awe of people like you who CAN do that.

[twhfan]

I LOVE your response!!!  Very quick on your feet!



The oddest/stupidest question I was ever asked at a job interview was:  What was your impression of our waiting room?"



Mind you, this was not a job in an interior design firm - they sold road maintenance supplies and chemicals to cities and towns.  The only thing I could imagine was that maybe they were testing my attention to detail.  I must have given a pretty good answer because I was offered the job, but I got bad vibes about the woman who interviewed me and I didn't accept.

[radaro]

Katzee that is the best response!  How else can you deal with a question that is so totally out of bounds.  Better that what I would have thought to say "none of your *** business!"



I can't remember a really odd question but I have been to an interview where the interviewer did all the talking and I barely had to grunt out 2-3 monosyllabic answers. At the end of the interview, the woman virtually offered me the job but since it was with a small company without any medical benefits and I would "only have to work some evenings and one Sunday a month" I refused.

[spitfire78]

I haven't been on an interview for a very long time - but two stand out in my mind.  Keep in mind I was just out of high school, and so was very young at the time.



I was interviewing at a boy's prep school (needless to say, it was in a wealthy area!).  The appt was set for a certain time, and like a good interviewee I showed up about 15 minutes early.  The interviewer brought me back to his office and gave me the application form to fill out.  Then he said he needed to drop something in the mail and would be right back.  I sat for about an hour and a half before he returned!  I have no idea if this was some sort of test to check out my patience (more likely my desperation for the job!) or whether this guy really was delayed on his errand.  Anyway, we then proceeded on the strangest interview I ever had.  The bulk of his questions was related to my family!  What type of job did my father do, what siblings did I have, what jobs did they do, etc.  My only guess is that they were looking for "blue blood".  They didn't find it in me - my family was strictly "blue collar"!  No offer from them.



Another interview was in a medical office.  The office manager described all the duties.  Then proceeded to ask me about 50 times "so, do you think you can handle it?"  49 times I said, "yes, I can handle it."  Finally, on the 50th time I was losing patience (and maybe confidence as well).  My response that time was, "I BELIEVE that I can handle it."  She instantly pounced on that and said that wasn't good enough, I had to KNOW that I could do it.  They ended up calling me back for a second interview but I turned them down.  I was desperate for a job but not that desperate!

[jak0215]

How about "Do you plan on have any children?"  I was asked this question in my interview for my current position three years ago.  I chalked it up to the interviewer being a middle aged Egyptian male who didn't know any better (or better yet didn't care about employment laws).  



jak

[ssc1208]

OMG, Kat, that is the funniest thing. I almost spit my Pepsi all over my keyboard.



The oddest question I was asked was actually a series of questions. For every question the interviewer asked he prefaced it with "Can I ask you a question?" and every time I would say "Sure" about the seventh time he asked this, I was about to scream "IT'S AN INTERVIEW, YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO ASK ME QUESTIONS" I did get the job, and accepted it, but I was there only 8 months. That guy turned out to my manager. Fun.

[winkiebear]

Hey - ssc - can I ask you a question?



::snort ... giggle ... snort ... thank goodness not drinking pop now!   ... giggle::

[ocblnd]

Katzee....that response was PRICELESS....     ....will have to remember to tell my daughters to use it sometime.



very interesting question I was asked by gal interviewing me for this position....we had talked about 30-45 minutes and she said "So, what do you think is my biggest MISconception about you right now?".....makes you think.....and since we are both blonde I jokingly said....'Since we are both blonde here I will forgo that obvious misconception....and move on to - since I am several years older than you - can you teach old dogs new tricks?....and YES, I am looking forward to new opportunities to learn!".  and I did get the job, since my arrival the fellow I worked for 8 months was let go, I was put into a position for 3 months just to have a place for me and now I am in a really good position with one of our Directors, plus doing lots of special assignment stuff for Pres/CEO and HR.          

[radaro]

ssc1208  - I wonder what would have happened if you said "No".  Pretty short interview.

[jahdra]

The strangest question/interview I ever had: Are you afraid of fowl? We get up into his office and there were two falcons on roosts on opposite sides of my chair. He told me not to worry if they flew at me, the tie ended about a foot from my head!

They never did fly at me, but it was hard to concentrate with a pair of falcons watching my every move!

[countrigal]

Now that would have been interesting to see... Who has live falcons in their office???  I would have had to ask him why he had them, curiousity wouldn't be satisfied until I did.  

[dwreath]

Maybe not odd....just different.  I was asked at the end of the interview:   'Without looking around, describe my office, I mean, What do you all remember seeing.'   I guess he was trying to find out how observant I was.