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??

[Calgon-take.me.away]

Was asked the medical term for a nosebleed and to spell it. That was the interview......I swear. Did not take the job

[larisalarisa]

oh just curious... did you get this job? I am not sure if their friendly aproach means they like interviewee or rather feel pitty for that person... ???

[Not_A_Hat_Person, RN]

My old job was toxic. I answered questions about co-worker conflicts with 2 or 3 stores of conflict in my old job. Most of the interviewers reacted with genuine horror. It may be why I didn't get called back for second interviews.

[Not_A_Hat_Person, RN]

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."

One of my sister's friends was asked in an interview if she was a practicing Jew. Really. Apparently, the interviewer thought it was okay to ask because he was Jewish.

[SWS RN, ASN, RN]

My, things have sure changed since the "olden days". About all I was asked was " When can you start, tomorrow"!!!!

LOL

I LOVE IT!!!!!

It really used to be that way...don't forget the other interview questions...are you breathing? do you have a pulse? YOU'RE HIRED!

Next question, can you put on these shoes and scrubs and hit the floor?

Oh, you don't have any experience, that's OK-think of it as OTJ training! Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it!

[MinnieMomRN]

Many years ago when I was fresh out of college, I interviewed for a utility company. The woman who interviewed me conducted the WORST interview of my life! It was 2 hours long, and consisted of grilling me to find holes or inflations in my resume, a skills test, then a psych test! When I finally got out of that interview, my brain was fried! On top of all that, it was 2 weeks before I was getting married, and my stress level was already over the top.

I got in my car and couldn't get out of there fast enough. Of course as my luck runs, I got pulled over by a cop. As I roll down the window he asks me where I was coming from. I tell him I had a job interview, as I collect my license and registration. I think he could tell I was a little frazzled, so he says light-heartedly, "Well, did you get the job?"

And THAT was the last straw. I started balling my eyes out. A real emotional mess. Poor guy. He didn't see it coming. He gave me a warning, and I think HE couldn't get out of there fast enough!

[prinsessa]

One nurse manager wanted me to "describe your perfect day". I felt like saying "I win the lottery and never have to work again"

[BanoraWhite]

I once had a employer breastfeed through the entire interview. I am not against breastfeeding in public, but I mean, I told her I was ok with waiting if she wanted to finish..

It was kind of distracting, especially for her..she walked around the office the whole time and I don't think she listened to a word I said, or took down any details.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

After attending an interview last year, I swiftly decided not to accept the job offer because of the comments being made by the interviewers and the types of questions they were asking.

I felt that it was none of anyone's business when one of the managers asked, "So, will this really be your only source of income?"

The same manager also commented, "You're older. Why did you become a late-entry nurse?" I was 28 years old at the time. I am now 29 and I don't consider myself an 'older' person or a late-entry nurse, so that question really offended me.

Another manager was staring me as she commented, "You look nervous. Smile more!" Her observation was probably true, but the nervousness came after the strange comments and questions.

They offered me the job immediately after the interview concluded, but I declined to accept the offer. They were persistent, even going so far as to call me twice weekly for 1 month afterward to see if I was still interested. This is an example of how the interviewer can effectively drive away the interviewee!

[rnffemtguy, BSN, RN]

I've had a couple doozies for interviews, on one the first question the nurse manager asked me was "how would you handle advances from young cute nurses aides seeing that you are a very attractive young single heterosexual male?" My answer?, "whoa lady, what kind of question is that?", she replies "well, it's a legitimate concern I have if I hire you", the interview went downhill from there.

Another interview I went to had the nurse manager and 2 dayshift charge nurses present, one of the charge nurses looks at his interview sheet, looks up at me and says "I hope you brought your helemt, because this is going to be a wild ride!" Of course this was after I did their online personality assesment to determine what my interview questions were going to be.....

[SashaO]

Not a question, but statement, "Well, you are so calm...."

Give me a break, I'm coming off the meth or maybe I'm imagining how I'm going to devour you like Hannibal Lectur. JK

[carolmaccas66, BSN, RN]

Of course you can't think up everything on the spot; it's too hard when you are under pressure.

I hate being asked: "Where will you be/where do you see yourself in 10 years time?" It I said being a NM or NUM or something similar, I'd sound pompus, but if I say I'd like to just be a general RN, that sounds as if I lack ambition.

Give them feedback on their questions I say. I have done this and the HR manager thanked me (though if anything changed I don't know).

I'd like to say to the above question: "Sorry my crystal ball is broken today!"

Idiots!