Hardest or craziest interview questions you've ever been asked

[ixchel]

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!

[RH-CC2011]

The crazies yet,

"If you were an anmial, what kind of animal would you be, and why?"

....ummmmmmmmmmmmmm (think quick!)

[ixchel]

Ha! What in the world does that have to do with employability?! "Nope, can't hire you. We have enough frogs."

[Testa Rosa, RN]

The deal breaker for me has always been, "Tell US a little about yourself?" You know you only have two minutes to sell the essence of who you are and why you are here to this group of people and to do this with focus, clarity and honesty without going on-and-on. This is near impossible for me. Trumps me up every time and usually comes first when I'm most nervous and I go off on tangents and forget what I really wanted to say, even when I try to practice in advance (have found it's almost worst IF I practice something too much in advance....I just jot down some key sentences I want them to know and have that on the pad I go in with now).

That and the, "Tell us about your weaknesses and what you've done to overcome them" Really???? In a 20 minute interview? The trick here is to pick one focused thing well practiced thing and keep it simple--I've tried choosing the "best" example to show me in the most genuine light but it takes a full five minutes to set up that scenario and explain what I do differently now that it's too expensive to share when you have such a short window of time these days to present yourself.

"Give and example where you didn't get along with another coworker" or "Describe an ethical situation you've had to deal with where you had to present your opinion to a majority who felt differently from you?" have trumped me up too.

As a strong nurse and an asset to every team I've been a part of; yet as a total failure at interviews I can go on and on.....

[phillycpnp-pc, MSN, RN, NP]

Ha! What in the world does that have to do with employability?! "Nope, can't hire you. We have enough frogs."

Lol I love that

[Reigen]

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.

The hardest: Why did you leave your last job?

Answer: I did not leave of my own accord nor was I terminated, the business closed due to the death of the owner.

[ixchel]

Any others?

I ask because I have an interview Tuesday and I'm hoping to think outside the box before I get there so it's not as surprising as the interview I noted in the OP.

Thank you do much for the responses so far! Some of those are absurd!

[PacoUSA, BSN, RN]

The "where do you expect to be 5 years from now" question often comes up. I must have answered nicely because I was hired lol. I said that I was not sure in what exact capacity I would be working 5 years from now, but I see myself growing with the organization and open to any opportunities that further that purpose.

Use as you see fit :)

[caliotter3]

The "where do you expect to be 5 years from now" question often comes up. I must have answered nicely because I was hired lol. I said that I was not sure in what exact capacity I would be working 5 years from now, but I see myself growing with the organization and open to any opportunities that further that purpose.

Use as you see fit :)

I first saw this question asked on an application. Since life was a little dicey at the time, I recall writing something like "I see myself being employed" or something similar. The next time I encountered that question, I was better prepared, but I still don't like the question much.

[>--stethoscope--o]

One I have been asked is, "how do your parents feel about you working here?" I wanted to tell her what do they have to do with my decision to work here. Instead to be nice I said," they are supportive of me working here." I didn't get the job. Lol.

[missellamae]

One I have been asked is "how do your parents feel about you working here?" I wanted to tell her what do they have to do with my decision to work here. Instead to be nice I said," they are supportive of me working here." I didn't get the job. Lol.[/quote']

Why would they ask what your parents think? That's weird.

[ixchel]

*giggles* I bet this job had nothing to do with nursing.