Weird Things Said In Job Interviews

[crokett]

I thought this was funny:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/workl...iew/index.html

I once said something that might make that list. Shortly before I graduated college I interviewed at a place that was looking for a COBOL programmer. They were a plastics packaging manufacturer and it looked like a very depressing place to work. The interviewers were the senior programmer and his boss, both of whom looked like working there had beaten everything out of them. A few minutes in I decided to tank the interview so when the unoriginal 'where do you see yourself in 5 years' question came up, my answer was 'On a tropical beach drinking Pina Coladas'. I didn't get the job.

[Shep]

This is too funny. I once had a interview with a company, which ended up being a multi-level marketing company at a crummy location. I met with the "owner" and his best sales person, both smoking and wearing what looked to be thrift store clothes. I figured I would blow off this interview because I knew that this is not what I wanted and the "owner" was being an A-hole. When the owner asked me what I thought about being able to make $200k in 2 years selling artwork out of my car, I told him that it was simply not enough reward for my time. This ticked him off pretty well and he asked me politely to "get the h*** out of my office." I walked out with a smile.

[jackellis]

On one or two occasions, I have ended job interviews early by simply telling the interviewer that I wasn't a good fit for the job and there was no sense wasting their time. Maybe I was a bit too honest, but I just don't like to waste people's time that way.

[Pappy]

Not for a job, but I was filing out a medical questionare today.

After 'Do you smoke' was a simple 'Quit?' I put 'not yet'. The next line was similar, dealing why drinking. I answered 'quit?' with 'Why?'

[RodKirby]

A gazillion years ago, I applied for an IT job I was "sort of" interested in.

The Personnel Manager (now = HR) kept me waiting 45 minutes When I finally got in to see him and complained, his laid-back response was "do you have somewhere to go?" I had the satisfaction of responding with "no, but with your attitude I wouldn't work here if it was the last job on earth!"

One of the very few times I didn't have to think - I wish I had said...

[gary]

I was interviewing a guy for a programmer job and asked him "What do you really like to do?"

He replied "I really want to be in sales". Do you know how hard it is not to look at your watch to see how much more time is scheduled for the interview?

[pierhogunn]

I remember attending an interview in college with Springs Industries, they were looking for someone to maintain their COBOL apps, and I quite frankly told the interviewer that I did not have what it takes to read through someone else's gibberish, and making it work... the interview was over, and 4 years later Springs closed shop. I would have been out of a job...

[jussi]

"I went into the lobby to pick up a candidate. As he stood up, his trousers fell to the floor! [He said] 'Oh, my gosh -- they told me I needed a suit for the interview. I've got no money -- so I borrowed this thing. It's too big!'" - Beth Ross, executive and career coach


Too funny

[dbhost]

I went to an interview with a large company when I was in college, and the interviewer was so disorganized, and clueless to what they were doing I intentionally started throwing what I thought were idiotic answers.

They offered me a job anyway...

[tfischer]

I interviewed a candidate a few years ago. He had been out of work for almost 2 years, and it was pretty obvious he was getting desparate. We asked him "what would your ideal job be", and he proceeded to describe something that wasn't even remotely what we do (he was describing low-level hardware/firmware stuff, we do software...) I answered, "well, you do realize that we don't do any of that, right?" His response was "oh but what you do would be nice too..."

[mleichtle]

I went to a, so called, job fair a few years ago. There was one company I wanted to learn more about. Last time I went to job fair, there were lots of booths with lots of different employers, and people just milling about and filling out apps. When I showed up, the company I was interested in was the only one there. Someone literly threw an application and a pen at me, and pointed toward a table and chairs. I assumed sign language for "Go fill this out". There was one other person doing the same. I was in street cloths, didn't bring anything with me. So I just did the best I could. I knew I didn't qualify for the job the offered. Next, I sat through a grueling 45 min interview. a little excessive for just production. I felt like I was being interogated. It turned out I was one of 2 people to actually stay for the interview and they were bored stiff. I didn't get hired, cause of my lack of qualifications. But learned alot. Two years later, They were hiring again. I got a job, without an an interview.

[BobSch]

I went to an interview with a large company when I was in college, and the interviewer was so disorganized, and clueless to what they were doing I intentionally started throwing what I thought were idiotic answers.

They offered me a job anyway...

Now the question is — would you want to work for a company like that?

[Hoover]

The one that sticks in my brain, is an interview I had with a food distribution company in 1972.The interviewer mentioned that "I see on your app. that you are an Army veteran. Well, we don't hire any G.D. baby killers." At that point, I got up and flipped him the bird and walked out.

No, not humorous, but it left a bad taste in my mouth. I did feel pretty good about giving the single finger salute.