Cringe-inducing Interview Answers

[RichardCranium]

I've always found "tell me about yourself" to completely pointless.

"Oh, tulip. I wish I had the time to prepare for these bloody interviews. Right, who's this? Wob-something, blah, blah, blah. I really should have read these in advance. Still, the agent did the shortlisting so I don't have to read them, just go through the motions. I know, I'll just ask the usual standard questions and nod while he answers as if I am listening. That will give us all the chance to skim his CV for the first time. Right, let's look confident and pretend I have a clue."

"Good morning, Mr, er, Bebon. Thank you for coming. Why don't we start with you telling me all about yourself?"

[Bagpuss]

Not an answer but a Question from a candidate for a grad job......


Interviewer: Do you have any Questions?

Candidate: Only.. when do I start?


He didn't get the job

[TheFaQQer]

And don't start me on the tosser who actually ANSWERED HIS PHONE during an interview

There's a tale on thedailywtf about someone who got out a tuna sandwich and started eating in the middle of the interview.

[MarillionFan]

There's a tale on thedailywtf about someone who got out a tuna sandwich and started eating in the middle of the interview.

I once interviewed for a job where I kicked my shoes off, put my feet on the desk and told the interviewer to get me a coke and make it bloody snappy. I got the job.

Sasguru.

[Wodewick]

I once interviewed for a job where I kicked my shoes off, put my feet on the desk and told the interviewer to get me a coke and make it bloody snappy. I got the job.

Sasguru.

Skidders please accept my humble apologies

I was just about to respond Arrogant Twunt!!

When I spotted the "sig"

Please remind me to +ve rep you in a couple of days!

[wantacontract]

After a long time on the bench I've been trying for permie jobs.
In my experience no matter how good your are technically,
Getting a permie job depends on the answer to these bulltulip questions

Why do you want to work for this company
where do you see yourself in 5 years
what do you look for in a job
how would your ex-manager/colleagues describe you
what are your strengths/weakness
what motivates you
what do you dislike about a job
what is the biggest challenge you have have faced at work
Describe a difficult situation which, with hindsight, you could have handled better

Spot on that man....you also get those questions thrown at you when you go for council contracts....FFS I am a contractor...

[riiiiiich]

"I work well on my own but am also a team player".

I've never been an interviewer before, but if I ever hear that one I would punch them!

[SueEllen]

"I work well on my own but am also a team player".

I've never been an interviewer before, but if I ever hear that one I would punch them!

You should because they should be using STAR and give you an example of working in both situations.


(And no I can't remember what it means exactly but my uni careers service did teach me something useful.)

[MaryPoppins]

At the end of one interview I held for my replacement, I asked one (odd) bloke if he had any questions.

He sat up straight and laughed this odd, cackling laugh for what seemed like an age.

Eventually he leaned back in his chair and sort of shouted "WELL, Mary - let me ask YOU the questions you've just asked ME and see how you do!" I assumed this was his idea of a joke until he actually did seem to expect me to answer one of my own questions.

[MaryPoppins]

You should because they should be using STAR and give you an example of working in both situations.


(And no I can't remember what it means exactly but my uni careers service did teach me something useful.)

It's annoying, because I'd rather tell the truth which is - I hate working as part of a team.