What's the Strangest / Toughest Interview Question You Remember?

[msmarieh]

Just out of curiosity... Do you remember any really strange or particularly tough interview questions from past job interviews? How did you handle them?

[Atlanta Z3]

How would your mother describe you in one word?
I said brat and got the job.

[Atlanta Z3]

Shoot can't edit
PS I also ask this in interviews when they ask if I have any questions for them.  The ones that make me nervous are the ones that won't answer the question or deflect the question.

[Sunflower]

Ah Atlanta - just read this - and now understand! That will teach me to read through the Forum before asking.

I once had someone ask me to talk about my career history - pretty standard question - but when I starting talking, they said no, not there - right back to my first Saturday job when I was 15 and a half!!!!!!!!!!! and then through every job with a fine toothcomb.

I must have loads of these - will trawl my brain and post when they come back to me.

I think this a great topic.

Everyone must have a least one example they can share?

[JessW]

When I went for a teaching job once, I was asked if I liked children.

Of course, knowing me like some of you do by now (if only online), I responded yes, but I couldn't eat a whole one.

Yep, I got the job! (very true story! - I can even pm you the name of the school!)

 

[Sunflower]

Great response Jess  Lovely to see they had a sense of humour too.

Strange question to ask though - wonder if they had people that said, "err, actually no!"

Remembered another:

HR woman - very corporate company - she had list of set questions and there were pages and pages - and she would ask a question, I would answer, she would write down my reply and then on to the next one. No interaction, or chance to explain or 'sell' myself. She also had very little eye contact with me and there was no warmth from her, which I found odd. It would have been quicker for her to give me the form and me to write down my replies!

[Atlanta Z3]

Another perosn in the office I work in has a similiar last name to mine - add the letter i.  I made the joke our family couldn't afford the extra letter in an interview.  My boss later told me because I told that joke it was the reason she hired me.  So you never know what is going to be a catalyst.

[Katie G]

"You seem pretty smart.  Don't you think you'll get bored with this job?"

This was with a small company that had advertised as "looking to grow".  I explained that I expected a growing company to be an interesting, fast-paced, dynamic place to work and that I would look forward to growing along with the company.

Well, that was the WRONG ANSWER.  His face got very cold and he ended the interview abruptly saying, "Well, we're just looking for a secretary.  That's it.  If you're looking for more than that, I don't think this is the place for you."

(Sigh)  At least he was honest.