STUPID interview questions, add yours here

[hoolahan]

I have been on about six interviews this month, and I am appalled at the stupidity of this process.

Does anyone at all think up original questions any more?

My last interview consisted of a woman, who couod not have been less bored w the process, asking me about 25 questions. She read straight from her little list that some HR analysts designed I supposed, and continuously interrupted by chatting to people who walked by her door.

Here were some of the questions...

Tell me about a time when someone questioned your integrity.

Tell me about a time when someone accused you of something you didn't do

Tell me about a time when you missed a deadline

Tell me about a time that you did something creative for a pt

and on and on, all starting w "Tell me about a time"...

I hated this whole style of questioning. It doesn't ask you how you handle that kind of a situation, but rather puts you on the spot to recall a specific experience that demonstrates what they are looking for.

I mean, I don't have the best memory, so I wouldn't mind these questions if they sent them to me the day before and asked me to write an essay on them. But to pull out an experience like this out of the thin air, it's just...stupid!! Not one personal question was asked like, Why are you interested in working 1 in this position, 2 for this company, etc...

One doctor said to me... "In this day of nursing shortages, you could write your own ticket so-to-speak, so why would you want this job? Later, what other positions have you interveiwed for if you don't mind me asking. Uh, I DO mind you asking, but do I say that??? Of course not, if I want the job, so I am forced to answer.

Another interview, three diff people, a HR person, then the supervisor, then the director, all came in and asked me the same exact set of questions from their little sheet of paper. Why couldn't they just ask me in a group,so they could all get the answers at once? Is this some kind of a stupid "test" to see if I am consistent?? How dull!

I don't like this cookie-cutter style of interviews. Very meaningless. Any recruiters out there? Can you explain the rationale? Don't you ever feel silly asking those stupid questions??

[elizabells, BSN, RN]

During a recent interview, the interviewer told me the departed nurse had left the position due to child care issues. He then asked me if I had children.

Isn't it illegal to ask that?

Yep. It's also illegal to ask where you see yourself in five years, in case the answer is "staying at home with my kids".

[RNDreamer]

Really?? I didn't know that. I thought this was a common interview question (not that I've ever been asked)

Yep. It's also illegal to ask where you see yourself in five years, in case the answer is "staying at home with my kids".

[elizabells, BSN, RN]

Really?? I didn't know that. I thought this was a common interview question (not that I've ever been asked)

I had always thought so too, but my mom used to work in HR and at least in CA, it's not allowed. Now, that doesn't mean people don't ask it anyway, of course.

[getoverit, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

Yeah, my wife is a social worker and was director of HR for her agency. You definitely can't ask questions like that, in fact she has a whole list of "off limits" questions.

Some of the questions people have listed here are classics. The dumbest one I was ever asked was "So are you a nurse?" I thought, well you've got my resume in front of you... Looking back on it, I should have screamed "Don't tell anyone!!!" then curled up in a ball on the floor and shivered, or just run crazily out of the room.

[ObamaRN08]

"When you have a party, do you clean before bed or in the morning?"

Umm..that would depend on how much I had to drink.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

i was asked "where do you see yourself in 20 years." dumb question. i'm 52 -- hopefully i'll be retired by then!

[Agnus]

An interview I had set up a phone interview..not one job related question..all personality type questions..45 minutes of things like..

"Are you addicted to happiness?"

"Who do you like more, your mother or your father?"

"Are you a habitual smiler?"

"When you have a party, do you clean before bed or in the morning?"

"Have you ever paid a bill late?"

I wasn't offered a job...or even a second interview.

"Excuse me I need some clarification before I can answer your question. How does this relate to the position I am applying for?"

It is honest, straightforward, and respectful.

[freegirl]

During my summer internship interview two summers ago, the guy interviewing me was very nice, chatting and laughing, then out of the blue came "are you black or white?". Then he quickly said, "never mind, didn't mean to offend you, just wondering"

I was shocked but didn't mind becos everyone almost asks me that question as they are unable to place me under any group.

I did get the internship and still friendly with the guy

[TazziRN, RN]

Not a question but an experience: when I was interviewing during my last month of nursing school, I went to an area hospital and spent MY interview listening to the recruiter talk about how badly she wanted one of my classmates!! When I finished with her I was supposed to go take a drug calc test. I didn't bother. When the receptionist asked me why I told her "I already know I'm not going to get the job, so I won't waste you time or mine."

[freegirl]

I was simply asked during an interview, "you sound good, but don't have the clinical background for the position you applied for, so convince me, why should I hire you?" My brain probably chose to take a nap at that exact moment cos I blurted out, " are you kidding, my house is just 5 mins away from the hospital!" At least, I recovered by saying that meant that I would never be late if hired . It's been two months and no reply so I guess I was promptly crossed me off the consideration list.

[rashan1053]

I was once asked by a doctor in an interview why I wasn't wearing make-up!!!!!!!!!

[SilverRain]

I was once asked by a doctor in an interview why I wasn't wearing make-up!!!!!!!!!

Um, what excactly was in job description? Maybe he was looking for a mistress. You, know, your "typical" kinda nurse.:icon_roll