Unusual Interview Questions?

[unbelievably angelic]

I think we should have a thread with experiences of job interviews.

I'm currently on long-term sick but still officially employed. I am applying for jobs that appeal to me, and that I have the relevant experience for. As the industry that I'm 'in' is quite specialised, any of the jobs that I really like the sound of and that I have loads of experience for will generally be with companies that know my current employer.

I tend to struggle in interviews.

"Why are you looking to leave your current job?" I love my job but they're looking to move me to more of a back office job. I hate it.

"What do you love about your job?" Having responsibility for my customers and being personally responsible for ensuring that their needs are met.I'm actually pig sick about being held responsible for other people's mistakes.

 

I have had two interviews now where I've initially been interviewed for the post I've applied for, but then suddenly the goalposts have moved. Months ago I had an interview for a general admin post and the interviewer then said that his job was up for grabs as he had been promoted, and was I interested? Obviously I said yes. Didn't get it. But would I have got the original job if I'd not been so ambitious???

 

I went for an interview today where the place was so amazing I would have said yes at any salary. Then came the bloody question. I know you've applied for this vacancy, but what would be your ideal job between office manager, managing the drivers etc. etc. My head hurts.

Is this a recognised interview question?

And what would be the ideal response?

[griffzilla]

I remember a while ago, I applied for a job in a call centre.

 

When asked the question "Where do you want to be in a years time", I answered "In your job".

 

I got a phone call 3hrs after the interview offering me the job. Apparently my ambition apleased them.

 

I went for an interview today where the place was so amazing I would have said yes at any salary. Then came the bloody question. I know you've applied for this vacancy, but what would be your ideal job between office manager, managing the drivers etc. etc.

 

I assume it goes ROLE YOU APPLIED FOR -> DRIVER MANAGER -> OFFICE MANAGER?

 

If so, my answer would be to move up through the chain, learning the business as you go!

[Bigredbus]

Hi,

 

There is a great book about such difficult questions... I remember reading it a few years back...

 

Yate, M., (2004). Great Answers to Tough Interview Questions. City: Gardners Books.

[LifeSuxSumtimes]

My response would be, "Obviously, I would hope that whatever position I am employed in, my skills and abilities would be acknowledged and appreciated by the management and that they would see my talents and allow me the opportunity of progression within the company."

[unbelievably angelic]

I remember a while ago, I applied for a job in a call centre.

 

When asked the question "Where do you want to be in a years time", I answered "In your job".

 

I got a phone call 3hrs after the interview offering me the job. Apparently my ambition apleased them.

 

 

 

I assume it goes ROLE YOU APPLIED FOR -> DRIVER MANAGER -> OFFICE MANAGER?

 

If so, my answer would be to move up through the chain, learning the business as you go!

 

The position I applied for was Traffic Controller. Still not heard back from them. There seems to be no etiquette with regards to putting you out of your misery nowadays. (God, I sound old). I find it difficult to judge whether overt ambition is a good thing or not, especially in the types of jobs I'm applying for.

 

In other news, I went for an interview today for a similar position. It had been advertised as 40 hours per week. When I asked about the hours in the interview, it turns out it's 55 hours a week (7am -6pm - Mon-Fri), plus every other Saturday, plus being on call outside office hours every other week. Funnily enough they didn't ask me about any of my pastimes or hobbies listed on my CV!

[Sidewinder]

Call me sadistic, but I always used to love asking candidates "Tell me about what we do here..." and seeing the look of panic on interviewees' faces. Having sent them an invitation to interview with the web address on it I was always amazed how many of them simply hadn't a clue.

 

or "In what way do you feel that your drama degree is relevant to the position of Customer Service Assistant? Do you want this job, or just need it?"

 

I could be nice sometimes though

[labrat]

i have to admit i ALWAYS look into a company before applying. it comes in handy

 

although i always use a differnt excuse for wanting to leave a current job "its carp" doesnt look right on a form

[ErikaPNP]

I'm going back a few years to when I worked in a unit catering for people suffering from dementia. I was asked at the last minute to fill in for one of the interviewers who had rang in sick.

 

Just to set the scene. It was becoming extremely difficult to recruit experienced care staff because the wages in the company are very low for care assistants, being NMW. We had this interviewee who had no experience working with dementia patients, but was willing to learn and keen to complete SVQ training in care. Their application form was very concisely written, and the CV well laid out.

 

He answered the initial introductory questions very well... but I had to contain myself when asking the interviewee "Your application states you have no experience of working with people affected by dementia. Can you tell me how much you know about the illness itself?"

 

Quick as a flash, he responded with a smile "It's when you get old and you become as mad as a box of frogs".

 

He didn't get the job....

[callumsgran]

I'm going back a few years to when I worked in a unit catering for people suffering from dementia. I was asked at the last minute to fill in for one of the interviewers who had rang in sick.

 

Just to set the scene. It was becoming extremely difficult to recruit experienced care staff because the wages in the company are very low for care assistants, being NMW. We had this interviewee who had no experience working with dementia patients, but was willing to learn and keen to complete SVQ training in care. Their application form was very concisely written, and the CV well laid out.

 

He answered the initial introductory questions very well... but I had to contain myself when asking the interviewee "Your application states you have no experience of working with people affected by dementia. Can you tell me how much you know about the illness itself?"

 

Quick as a flash, he responded with a smile "It's when you get old and you become as mad as a box of frogs".

 

He didn't get the job....

Lmao, bless him!

I would've given him the job