What was your toughest ever job interview question?

[roadrash]

not at an interview but by teachers ... "what do you want to be when you grow up "...... im 47 and have avoided growing up so far . growing older ,yes ,....growing up , no chance

 

[vernon]

Nope the fourth word, repeating the word "I"

That's often ignored

 

[summerdays]

During an interview I gave a detailed answer to a question (can't remember what it was), then they asked the next question on their list, which I had already answered in the previous question but apparently they "had" to ask the question. It was difficult trying to find something additional to say.

 

[byegad]

The very first question in job interviews for teachers used to be, "If we offered you the job would you accept it?"

The length of the interview was governed by the answer.

I was once asked that and said Yes... They offered it to another candidate, so I thought never mind and went on with my interviews (I had several over 14 days.). A few days later they called the school secretary where I was working and asked to speak to me. By then I had an interview 4 days later in a school which was;
a) a better school.
b) an easier journey form home.
c) Had a Head of Department I knew.

So I kept them waiting, the calls got more and more frantic and the secretary, who was a friend, made more and more outlandish excuses for my not being available, while pumping them for information. It turned out I was the second choice, but the first choice candidate had initially accepted the job on the day, then reneged on the deal as he'd been offered a post in a prestigious private school. I got the job at the better school with my friend 4 days before the cut off date for resignations from my present post so I assume they then offered the job to the third best candidate. Serves them right!

 

[pplpilot]

I was asked some stupid HR psychobabble nonsense questions at interview once, I simply replied that i wasn't sure I'm the sort of person they want to work for a company like this and I'm pretty sure i don't want to work for a company like this.

Since when did all this bollocks mean you can do the job or not? not a believer in it and never will be.

Turns out they recently sent someone internally 'on a course' on interview techniques.

Short lived that was... Im still there 15 years later, she was made redundant.

 

[Primal Scream]

I was asked why I was leaving my present job to which I replied. The foreman is a know nothing #'#'#'# and there is no overtime, I was thanked for my honesty and given the job I was being interviewed for.

I later learned the guy who was interviewing me knew said foreman and also though he was a @#@#@

 

[postman]

Back in 1970 i had applied for a Prison Officers job.I was a very young 20 year old.I had been to Armley Jail or Leeds Prison as i think it is called now.I passed some form of exam and a medical and i was through to the next round.
Wakefield Prison another exam and another medical passed those,went back sometime later for a very serious interview.i sat before five shall i call then Inspectors.First question what out of your life experiences could you pass on to the Prisoners.
My answer a total blank stare my brain froze my mouth would not open.
Just to say the interview was over before it began.

 

[Moon bunny]

"Have the Jobcentre told you to apply or did you do so voluntarily?"

 

[Tim Hall]

Definitely the 6th even if they let 'I' go.

Surely "concrete" is the word on the card, so can be repeated.

I think I've only had three job interviews. I kind of stumbled into my previous employment, so no interview there. The first interview was at Glaxo. I think believing the interviewer's story that he took home the experimental guinea pigs to eat had a part in them not offering me the gig. Having what they thought were dirty finger nails (I'd been bike fettling, and had thwacked my thumb) convinced my current employer I was a "hands on" kind of a person so suitable for the role.

 

[accountantpete]

Interview at University Of East Anglia for American Studies (they sent you to The States in Year 2!) so first question up and the guy points to a photo of 30 Americans on the wall. Can I name any of them?

I got 1 out of 30 .

 

[gbb]

I always ask that too, sometimes people lie though, can you believe that!

I did once....
Not intentionally, i was asked if i would take the job, i told them yes....but once i'd had a day to think i re-assesed my needs. I'm a slow burner...i'm not good at answers on the hoof normally. I'll get back to you is my normal answer.

The irony was, one job, around 600 applicants and i got offered the job...then turned it down

 

[ayceejay]

I once did a test at an interview. my answers came out in graph form when you stuck a pin through the paper and read off the back side. Back side may be a euphemism for the result as I got the job in spite of the result.

 

[Stringy Bob]

Not mine but a colleague's. How he dealt with it I don't know. But he is still in post.

"So Mr *******,as you have read, the job spec askes for a good general standard of education, 5 O' level/GCSE's as well as 3 A levels/AS level certs. plus a good first degree and ideally a post graduate degree or simiilar.............................I note with interest your metalwork O'level

 

[ColinJ]

Not mine but a colleague's. How he dealt with it I don't know. But he is still in post.

"So Mr *******,as you have read, the job spec askes for a good general standard of education, 5 O' level/GCSE's as well as 3 A levels/AS level certs. plus a good first degree and ideally a post graduate degree or simiilar.............................I note with interest your metalwork O'level

What were his other 4 O-levels in?

 

[Hover Fly]

When I had just left the mob, applied for a tree-fellers job, by 'phone. Said I had new Fastco chainsaw certificates up to "Windblown Trees"
Prospective employer: never mind that ******* ****, can you use a ******* chainsaw or not?
Me: Well yeah,
PE: ...Start Monday.