Job interviews can be nerve-racking experiences. Preparing for one can heighten anxiety for many people. Chances are you'll be asked the typical interview questions: Why do you want to work here? Tell us about a time you messed up and learned from it. How does your experience prepare you for this role?
But what do you do when you get thrown a curveball? Lo and behold, we're not talking about the occasional unorthodox or uncommon interview question; we're talking about questions that veer into the inappropriate.
After Redditor Lady_Insanityii asked the online community, "What was the weirdest, most inappropriate or most unexpected thing you were asked during a job interview?" people were more than happy to share their experiences.
"I was like 24 years old..."
"What does your father do for work?" I was like 24 years old... pretty sure he was seeing how little he could pay me.
"I was asked..."
I was asked over the span of about five questions if I would let employees steal.
"What would you do if you saw a customer walk out the door with product?" "I would tell the manager and not confront them" (the correct answer for almost all retail companies, but not this one apparently)
"What if it was your store? 'Gmony Retailers' and you are the manager?" "I would try to stop them or call the cops"
"What if it was an employee trying to steal something really cheap like a $1 water bottle?" "I wouldn't let them steal so I'd tell a manager"
"What if they have been having family troubles and their checks haven't come in so they have no money but need that water" "I would offer to pay for them so they don't feel like they have to steal"
"What if you left your wallet at home that day?"
What am I even supposed to say to that???
"Out of absolutely nowhere..."
This was quite a while ago, and I was interviewing for a janitorial position at a private middle school.
The interview was going well. The interviewer was asking me why I wanted to work there, what my previous job experience was, etc. The bog standard interview questions.
Out of absolutely nowhere, he asks "You're not attracted to underage girls, are you?". I was taken aback for a moment, and just sort of stared at him waiting for clarification.
I think it only occurred to him after having said it how weird the question was, and he quickly started to give some context. Turns out the previous janitor had attempted some sexual advances on some underage students
I was just there to sweep the floors for some cash. Not commit a felony.
"What are the chances..."
What are the chances of you leaving your spouse if we relocate you? You mean... for a period of time until we figure out our living situation? No, I mean would you divorce him if you had to move to, say Europe, for the job?
Wow
Also, this was a local advertising agency. They didn't even have that many national clients.
But also, the interviewer then continuously called and messaged me for days after I declined their offer. So I don't know.
"Realized..."
First question of an interview: "Wait, aren't you the guy who owes me that thousand dollars?"
Realized after three of the longest seconds in my life that he was joking, but boy that caught me off guard.
"I didn't say anything..."
I had an adversarial interview once. Passed the skills interview and was sent on to the guy who would be my manager if I got the job. He made a big show of throwing my resume in the trash and told me the next best use would be to "wipe his @ss with it" since he went to Yale and I didn't, and why did I think I deserved the job?
I didn't say anything, just got up and walked out. (This was at AIG, remember them? Lol.)
"The interviewer asked me..."
GiphyI was interviewing for a hiring manager position at a temp agency in Toledo, Ohio. The interviewer asked me "how comfortable would I be if business client only wanted to hire certain types of employees?" I probed for more information. After several probing questions it was apparent that some of the businesses who hired this agency to find talent only wanted people from certain zip codes and wanted to omit certain zip codes altogether. I did not get the job because I stated that I would find and deliver the most qualified candidate regardless of where they lived. No biggie. I am in a much better place now.
"I answered that..."
"Which teacher did you hate the most and why"
I answered that I had disagreed with a teacher over a book (I didn't like it and it was her favorite) and she knocked points off all my future tests.
Interviewer said it was unprofessional to not like a teacher and I "clearly had no interview experience." So yeah, didn't get that internship.
"I have been asked many questions..."
I was a private nanny. I have been asked many questions that wouldn't be considered appropriate in any other job interview. I've been asked: How often I shower. Whether I have ever been to a therapist/psychiatrist. If I am promiscuous. If I have ever had an affair with an employer. How much I typically eat in a day. Do I have a partner. What religion I am. Whether I was gay or straight. If I had ever been bribed or had anyone ever attempt to bribe me. Whether I had ever taken nude pictures. Etc. Not all in the same interview.
"'If your employer...'"
For an IT security position:
"If your employer asked you to do something illegal, would you do it?"
...now, before anyone hollers that this isn't inappropriate, I found out later the the job had been vacated by a friend of mine, who they fired after he refused to do something illegal for them.
"Also one time..."
"Would you be willing to risk your job by saying no to coming in on your scheduled day off?"
Why, yes. Yes, I would!
Also one time I had a vacation approved 7 months in advance to go to Ohayocon a couple years back, and the owner's son tried to tell me I was staying there and working. I presented him with a bill for the trip (Roughly 2 grand total for everything) and told him I will get every penny back, written in the form of a check, if I stay. Needless to say I was allowed to go.
"Had a great interview..."
A few years ago I was invited to an in person final interview for a job a few states away. After having driven there and putting myself up at my own expense you would assume they would understand I was serious about this position.
Had a great interview with multiple members on staff but when it came to the head of the organization at the end of the interview I asked:
Me "Is there anything I haven't asked that I should be asking or are there any concerns you have about my ability to succeed in the job"
Him " I don't want you to come in here, learn all my s***, and then f*** me over by leaving in 6 months. You better not f****** leave or I'm gonna kill you."
Couldn't leave that interview with wannabe Tony Soprano fast enough.
"He asked me to give him a ride..."
He asked me to give him a ride to his kid's daycare. Which I did because I really needed the job.
"I had been living in Australia..."
"Do you have a green card or visa?" I had been living in Australia for twenty years by this point. I mean, I still have an American accent, but it's not that strong.
"Are you ok with..."
Are you ok with getting your nails dirty? Are you ok with the possibility of wearing steel-toed boots? Are you sure you're not bothered by the thought of accidentally breaking a nail or getting dirt on your hands?
"I was young and naive then..."
This is probably quite tame compared to the others, but I had a job interview at a car dealership looking for a receptionist when I was about 19. I didn't have much experience but the listing said they offered training.
I got there and the manager/person supposed to be interviewing me tells me that the position has already been filled. He THEN has me sit down and conducts the interview anyway, as it may be "good experience" for me??
Most awkward 20 mins of my life, I just had to answer these stupid questions telling him about myself knowing it was completely pointless.
I was young and naive then but I wish I'd just waltzed out of there as soon he told me I wouldn't be getting the job.
"I actually quit..."
I actually quit because there was practically no future there in my field. And because their thesis guidelines weren't clear. They didn't seem to have clear information about what plagiarism was. I lost a small amount of fees though. Parents paid.
I lucked into a uni close to my house. Offering a course that would be my first choice. Like, a 15-20 minute drive in heavy traffic. And they know their stuff. There might actually be a God.
"I thought it was odd..."
I had an interviewer start reeling off technical terms for me to define. I thought it was odd to start an interview with a test like that, but whatever. After I defined about 25 of them for him, he stopped and thanked me for coming in. That was the entire interview. I was offered that job, and I turned it down.
"Basically..."
"Are you willing to come in for a community service style of work? You'll basically be doing the same job as now but our budget can't make room for more on the payroll."
Basically that job didn't work out.
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