Hardest or craziest interview questions you've ever been asked

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What's are the worst, or the craziest, interview questions you've ever been asked?

For me, I worked at a bookstore for awhile. Lowest paying job I've ever had, but the hardest interview ever. The questions they asked all stemmed around situations that were hard, or trying, and really, the only examples I could come up with related to my most recent job before that interview. The previous job had been in property management, and the worst of all the questions was, "Tell me about a situation in which you were asked by management to do something that felt wrong to you, and how you responded to the situation." Talk about a deer in the headlights!

Because their dumb. Lol! ... Nah they were probably trying to see if I could make decisions for myself and confident. Idk that's the best I could come up with.

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Specializes in Hospice.

Oh...yeah that makes sense, but I would have said the same thing you said if they were to have asked me lol

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Specializes in Forensic Psych.

"if you overheard a coworker in the break room telling someone they were planning on quitting their job, would you tell me?"

When I answered, she looked me straight in the eye and said, "Wrong. Answer."

I left with no delusions of getting THAT job.

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Specializes in critical care.
"if you overheard a coworker in the break room telling someone they were planning on quitting their job, would you tell me?"When I answered, she looked me straight in the eye and said, "Wrong. Answer."I left with no delusions of getting THAT job.
You can't leave it at that! What was your response? My instinct is to say no. It's gossip if I repeat it, and if it isn't impeding on patient care or the work environment, it isn't my place to potentially cause problems for a co-worker.
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Specializes in Forensic Psych.

I had to leave it like that to convey the ridiculousness of the question when you have NO context! :p

I said no, I wouldn't tell. I don't remember my exact wording, but my reasoning was the same. I'm not into drama/gossip, and someone that wants to quit will surely turn in their notice and it can be dealt with.

The interview was for a pediatric clinic research assistant at a big cancer hospital. Kids with terminal cancer who weren't responding to treatment would be signed up for various studies and whatnot.

So HER reason was that lives were on the line, and the sooner she knows about a staff member leaving, the better. She didn't want a treatment to be held up because someone left mid-project.

I still stand by my answer. You can't start replacing someone because someone else told you they heard they might quit. That's insane, especially because saying you're going to quit, doesn't mean you actually WILL.

She asked some other weird drama filled questions, that were so loaded I left feeling drunk. Obviously the person she fired and was trying to replace have her some serious baggage....

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Specializes in critical care.

Wow, that sounds like a bullet dodged. :( Too bad, too, because I think I'd really enjoy a job like that, helping kids. I could see it being really hard, but my god the spirit of children can be the most uplifting experience. The "miracles" would oftentimes outweigh the sadness I'm sure. Still, I'd stand by my answer as well. If you overhear it being said, it is gossip.

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Specializes in Forensic Psych.
Wow, that sounds like a bullet dodged. :( Too bad, too, because I think I'd really enjoy a job like that, helping kids. I could see it being really hard, but my god the spirit of children can be the most uplifting experience. The "miracles" would oftentimes outweigh the sadness I'm sure. Still, I'd stand by my answer as well. If you overhear it being said, it is gossip.

I was bummed. Relieved that she wasn't going to be my boss, but sad that it was a missed opportunity I really wanted. I ended up interviewing at the same place a couple more times and getting an offer, but it ended up interfering with school.

But, yes, I really do think the miracle would make it all worth it. :). My goal is to work there when I'm finished with school (or hopefully before!)

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Specializes in Hospice.
"if you overheard a coworker in the break room telling someone they were planning on quitting their job, would you tell me?"

When I answered, she looked me straight in the eye and said, "Wrong. Answer."

I left with no delusions of getting THAT job.

Omg what did you say?? Do they just not have any idea what they're gonna ask so the first thing that pops up is what comes out of their mouth? Lol wow I've never been asked a question like that...geez

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Specializes in Forensic Psych.

Omg what did you say?? Do they just not have any idea what they're gonna ask so the first thing that pops up is what comes out of their mouth? Lol wow I've never been asked a question like that...geez

No way, she knew exactly what she was asking. It was basically a test to see if I was anything like the last person who apparently knew someone was quitting and didn't say a word.

She also asked me if I would tell her if I caught someone had mouthing her. And if I used spell check (which seems not so weird, but that's something that you could WAY over think when every question is loaded.)

It was absolutely 45 minutes of hell. And this was at the #1 cancer hospital in the entire country!

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Specializes in critical care.

So I got the where will you be in 5 years question, tell me about yourself and why are you here, what led you to nursing, describe a situation where someone asked you to do something dishonest and how did you handle it (still hate that question), how would you respond to a situation where patient safety is compromised, how do I feel about working all hours of the days, nights, weekends and holidays..... I know there were more than that but holy bottle rockets I was scared out of my mind and all I've done since leaving is over analyze every word I said. I could hear back as soon as today, or as late as the end of the week. Out of 50 applicants, there were 8 interviews today.

I'm getting a margarita. And cheesecake. Lots and lots of cheesecake.

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Specializes in Forensic Psych.

Woohoo! Good luck!

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The oddest: How many quarters would it take to go from the street to the top of our hospital?

My answer: It would depend on how the quarters were placed, either stacked or placed one on top of the next one...then would you need to multiply the thickness of the quarter by the height of the building.

My college provided access to an interview prep site that said questions like those aren't about whether your answer is accurate, they're designed to show the interviewer how you think. If you come up with a viable way to calculate the answer, you supposedly look good. I think it's crazy.

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