Crazy interview questions

**lottaLove** · 11-08-2006, 04:18 PM

I was reading up on common interview questions so that I could practice for my interview this weekend, and I came across a few that gave me a bit of comic relief.

One interviewee claimed to have been asked the question "If you were an animal, what animal would you be?"

Another was asked "If you were a superhero, what super powers would you want to have?"

Has anyone ever been asked any crazy questions like these during a job interview? How on earth would you answer such a question?

"I really have always wanted to be a penguin because I truly admire their tuxedo outfit. If I were a penguin, I wouldn't have to worry about ironing my shirts before heading to work!" I mean really, what do they expect from such a question???

**sunshine** · 11-08-2006, 04:54 PM

From one who went to classes to learn how to effectively interview people. . YES, they ask such questions. It gives an insight into people's personalities and lets you know if they'll be a good fit with your company/group.

**Cricket1** · 11-08-2006, 07:29 PM

And it shows how creative and/or how quick people think on their feet.

**suzysaver** · 11-08-2006, 08:12 PM

I get nervous enough with the basic questions, wow don't throw me for that kind of a loop.

What a sweet avatar, they are adorable.

**Cele** · 11-08-2006, 08:19 PM

Not all companies use such questions. Stuff like that tends to come in and out of favor. My advice: relax, say the first (fairly reasonable) thing that comes to mind, and leave it at that.

**Early Bird** · 11-09-2006, 11:01 AM

Interviewing for an engineering job at the PhD-level, DH was asked if he changed his own oil.

I guess they wanted an indicator to see if he wasn't afraid to get his hands dirty.

(Yes, he changes our oil. And, yes, he got the job.)

**lottaLove** · 11-09-2006, 11:07 AM

Wow thanks for the tips! I guess it's true, they just throw strange questions in to see how well you think on your feet. At least I was exposed to some of these questions beforehand though, so if someone throws me a monkey wrench I'll know how to catch it at interview time!

**dmvezina** · 11-09-2006, 12:52 PM

Good luck with your interview!!
You'll have to let us know how it went AND let us know if any of those "strange" questions were asked!!

**KimberlyRae** · 12-08-2006, 12:16 AM

I was once asked why I wasn't at home with my children.... I simply answered, I don't have any yet, they offered me the job, I turned them down.

**crazyBMB** · 12-08-2006, 09:49 AM

I once had an interview with a major company that gave you a psychology test that asked al kinds of really wierd yes and no questions including "Do you look in the toilet bowl at you **** when you are done?"
How do you answer a question like that?

**lottaLove** · 12-08-2006, 10:04 AM

Oh my, I don't think I would want a job if they asked me that kind of question. I didn't get any strange interview questions that really knocked me, but one of my interviewers did ask me where else I had applied for jobs. He then proceeded to list a series of places that were currently hiring. I found this to be entirely offensive, because he was wasting my time. Why would I care to know who is hiring if I obviously have an interest in this job??
Oh well, I got the job that I did want, so no more worrying about that!

**sunshine** · 12-08-2006, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by KimberlyRae

I was once asked why I wasn't at home with my children.... I simply answered, I don't have any yet, they offered me the job, I turned them down.

That sort of question is SOOOOO illegal! It's a sneaky way to find out if you have children, etc. Can be construed as discrimination if you don't get offered the job, as many employers feel that having children takes away from time at work (sickness, babysitter issues, inability to work OT, etc.)