So I've been going to a few interviews lately, overall they went well. This is one question that I answered without thinking, but they thought it was funny... I think. Q: *asked about a specific job experience from my resume that they were interested in, what I gained from it, etc.* A: Well I needed it to put on my resume, and it worked. Thank God I didn't get kicked out and we shared a small chuckle.
One time, I was working for an Oil Company, and I was interviewing someone for an open position. At the end of the interview, I asked him if he had any questions for me about the job or the company. He asked that, since we were an Oil Company, did we get discounts when we gassed up our cars at Exxon, Shell, Valero or anywhere else. I politely answered him "No". Needless to say, he wasn't hired.
Michael Scott: Why don't I tell you what my greatest weaknesses are? I work too hard. I care too much. And sometimes I can be too invested in my job. David Wallace: Okay. And your strengths? Michael Scott: Well, my weaknesses are actually... strengths. David Wallace: Oh. Yes. Very good. Michael Scott: Thank you. David Wallace: Very good.
For one of my first interviews, while prepping for it, I thought it would be a brilliant answer say my strengths were my weaknesses. I was asked the weakness question. I gave the answer. Later, when I actually started Googling interview tips/advice, I realized it was not a good answer. Google before you do anything, people! Just do it.
Are you a team player? naw mofo, i hate talking to co workers, if i could work on a floor on my own that would be cool. can you hook that up
q: What do you do for fun? my a: I drink with my friends. got the job but still, looking back that wasnt a very good answer
Okay, here's a shot out of the cannon: Oprah, Barbara Walters, your wife. You gotta **** one, marry one, kill one, go!
Guy: Whats your Favorite Movie? Quick! something they will identify with! Citizen Kane? Casablanca!? Shawshank? Dreamshook: Memento. *Face Palm* F***! That's not my favorite Movie! Should have said Coming to America or The Last Dragon! I hardly know who's in Memento... Ah well on to the next question; I'm ready. Dumb question any way, that's like asking what's your favorite song; too many to name.. Guy: Who's in it? WTF!!? Dreamshook: Uh.. That lady from the Matrix.. You know... Guy: *shakes head* No. Mutha f***a you know... Dreamshook: ah.. um.. Then there's the guy from the Movie Traitor; The one that interrogates Don Cheadle... Guy: *Blank Stare* SMH... I'm done.... Dreamshook: Then there's the guy from American Splendor... Damn it. I think that's Paul Giamatti! Dreamshook: Oh no... I mean the other guy from the Matrix the one who betrayed Neo and the crew of the Nebakanezer Guy: Let's move on... No, I think we're done here; I'll just gather my things... Dreamshook: ok. Sat in there for another hour and a half stewing in my stupidity; completing paper work and tests; knowing full well I lost the job at Memento...
The interviewer asked-"Would you have a problem traveling to poor neighborhoods?" Me- "Naw, I grew up in the Heights, so that's really not a problem" (me not knowing the Heights is now yuppie town) Interviewer- "Ah yes, I hear they don't have a Whole Foods"
I’m a corporate recruiter so I’m privy to some very interesting answers. One time a lady I interviewed brought her toddler into the interview with us. Out of courtesy I did the interview anyway. When I asked her to take a typing test in our testing room she asked me if she could leave her child in my office… Another time, I was closing the interview and I asked the candidate, “That’s pretty much it for this interview, do you have any questions for me?” She answered by asking if I go to happy hours and if so, where… I’ve asked, “Why are you interested in this position?” Answer: “I just got divorced and they took everything…” I’ve called to phone screen a candidate and their voicemail said, “You’ve reached this sexy biiiitch. You know what to do.”
God, I hate "why are you interested in this position?" Um, because I need a god damn job. Don't act like what you do here is what people dreamed about doing when they were growing up. Nobody told their teacher they wanted to sell grain sorting equipment in South America.
Q: Why don't you tell me about some of your previous job experience? A: Alrighty. My last job was in publishing. I got fired for having sex in my office with the cleaning woman.
I asked a stupid question. I asked about salary on the first interview today lol. I didn't want specifics, I just wanted to know if the job I was applying for has base pay, or was only commission. He said well typically that is a question for later in the interviewing process, and then proceeded to give me specifics. I thought I blew it, but he asked me to come back for the next interview. I thought it was important to know, I wasn't going to want the job if it was 100% commission, so why waste his or my time proceeding with interviews. I felt really dumb though lol.
Interviewer - What is your biggest weakness? Me - Kryptonite (I didn't say it but I've always wanted to)