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AIBU?

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Original poster

Taking an object to an interview

269 replies

Stickseas0n · 05/10/2024 09:21

Okay, where do I start
I've just had a job interview confirmed and they've asked me to bring an object that best reflects my personality 😂
Never heard of this before
What does one bring? 🤔
Not strictly an AIBU but can I have some ideas please!

OP posts:
FloordrobeIsGoingToGetME · 05/10/2024 12:18

How about sewing box, with thread, buttons, safety pins, ribbon, glittery patches etc.

You can say that it represents your ability to mend things that need fixing, make things more robust and secure, improve the look and feel of things, and create something light, fun and enjoyable when needed.

,

Renamed · 05/10/2024 12:17

A t shirt that says Never Mind the Bollocks

itwasntmetho · 05/10/2024 12:16

Giggorata · 05/10/2024 12:09

@Nanny0gg we found that it didn't always work just fine, in our particular field.
Sometimes I ended up people in my teams that had been marvellous in interview but just couldn't deliver in real life. I got frustrated with it.
it wasn’t just social workers and other care staff either. I was starting a new team and appointed an admin officer, who seemed amazing and on the ball, but did next to fuck all in the job and set the team development back at least a year, plus made us all look like shit.

Equally you could lose some talent holding castings, when people are just not extraverts.

We have strategy days at my work where no one does well in roleplay telephone conversations, but we all deal with clients very well, it's completely different when it's a real client.

Thehop · 05/10/2024 12:15

Take a catalogue:

tell them you're multi faceted and this adaptable and able.

TheReturnOfFeathersMcGraw · 05/10/2024 12:15

Stickseas0n · 05/10/2024 09:23

I'm a friendly person, get on well with everyone, reliable, will gladly be over worked 😂

Do you have a cuddly toy of a labrador puppy...

ThinWomansBrain · 05/10/2024 12:14

Once got asked to take my favourite biscuit to an interview.
Took Thomas Fudge dark chocolate florentines
didn't get the job
they kept the rest of the packet

& went bust within a year 😁

Sillybillypoopoomummy · 05/10/2024 12:13

a crystal, becuase you are multifacetted lol

Giggorata · 05/10/2024 12:09

@Nanny0gg we found that it didn't always work just fine, in our particular field.
Sometimes I ended up people in my teams that had been marvellous in interview but just couldn't deliver in real life. I got frustrated with it.
it wasn’t just social workers and other care staff either. I was starting a new team and appointed an admin officer, who seemed amazing and on the ball, but did next to fuck all in the job and set the team development back at least a year, plus made us all look like shit.

Thevelvelletes · 05/10/2024 12:09

An axe... because I hate stupid questions and scenarios and I put my axe to use.
Next question?

PointsSouth · 05/10/2024 12:08

An empty ice bucket.

"I intended to bring some ice, but I sold it to an eskimo."

Original poster
Stickseas0n · 05/10/2024 12:06

😂 at the dog lab comments
I mean I am a bit of a push over but as I have four children, I kind of do need lots of hours. So I've often worked 6 days a week, employers definitely see me coming 😂 but I'm committed and hard working
I was also offered a job somewhere else yesterday but when the call came in about this interview, it seemed like a good idea to keep all options open but no I don't actually need it
And I suppose that's a good thing because I don't imagine slapping a dildo on the table will go well 😂

OP posts:
itwasntmetho · 05/10/2024 12:04

Until this thread, I'd have said there was no wrong answer to any of the questions, but anyone who got really snarky or appeared to be eye rolling at them wouldn't get the job.

To be fair, the eye rollers may well be turning down the job. An interview is also a chance for the candidate to decide if they would want to work for the company.

Gillbil · 05/10/2024 12:00

So weird! Hmm box of heroes or celebrations, to show your biggest strength and your greatest weakest.
Depending on the box, because your a such a hero/ has the ability to predict the future, and you know... chocolate😂

BirthdeighParteigh · 05/10/2024 11:55

I’d take a handmade ceramic cup, and talk about how I’m creative and a glass (cup) half full kind of person…. All lies.

InvisibleBuffy · 05/10/2024 11:54

I've been conducting a lot of interviews recently. I've never asked anyone to bring an object in but I do have a few light ice breaker questions that mean we get to know them a bit better.
We end up chatting about all sorts for a few minutes before we start asking the 'interview' questions. Interviewees tend to be nervous by nature.
I find if we do this first, it ends up like a more relaxed chat about the role and their skills than a formal, awkward interview where people trip over their own tongues because they're nervous.
It might just be something like that.
Until this thread, I'd have said there was no wrong answer to any of the questions, but anyone who got really snarky or appeared to be eye rolling at them wouldn't get the job.
I'm fortunate enough to work in an office where there is a great culture and people get on well for the most part. I wouldn't hire someone who got the hump over a question. It sounds like a recipe for drama.
Don't overthink it, OP.

RVEllacott · 05/10/2024 11:52

YorkshirePuddingsGreatestFan · 05/10/2024 09:31

Vibrator

Shows you're hard working, always buzzing about and keen to get stuck in.

Please do this OP 😁

Ramblomatic · 05/10/2024 11:50

Stickseas0n · 05/10/2024 09:25

It's only a seasonal position
In a retail shop is all I'll say incase they find my thread 😬😂

Take a box of Celebrations or similar, shows you're a caring, sharing, team player type 😄

Elliebox · 05/10/2024 11:50

I’d take a giant dildo and tell them it’s because I’m
abit of a dick at times

DniHnly · 05/10/2024 11:50

I would take a phosphate enema.

It would help them with the amount of shit coming from their arses.

simonsayss · 05/10/2024 11:49

Bottle of tequila

PictureOfTheSea · 05/10/2024 11:49

Take a cookbook because you "like sharing good food and making memories with people" (puke)
Makes you sound like a warm fuzzy person/ team player and nearly everyone loves a nice meal...

FuckThePoPo · 05/10/2024 11:49

Stickseas0n · 05/10/2024 09:23

I'm a friendly person, get on well with everyone, reliable, will gladly be over worked 😂

You should borrow a golden retriever

mnahmnah · 05/10/2024 11:47

Stickseas0n · 05/10/2024 09:23

I'm a friendly person, get on well with everyone, reliable, will gladly be over worked 😂

I would take a kettle. Everyone’s friend. At the centre of communication. Works plenty. Reliable.

Aspecialplaceinhell · 05/10/2024 11:46

A picture of an empty fridge ... I like food and I need a job to pay for it 😆

Nanny0gg · 05/10/2024 11:43

Giggorata · 05/10/2024 11:26

So the majority of people want to stick with the usual Q and A interview format?

As a frequent interviewer, I found this often led to the same old tired jargon filled answers, and worked hard to frame questions that allowed for more individual input.
Often our interviews included presentations or written assignments, seen and unseen.
When I was managing the young people's interview panels, we sometimes asked candidates to role play situations they might encounter in the job, for example breaking the news to a child that their parents had cancelled contact.
It told us so much more than candidates telling us their qualifications and theorising about what they would do.

But this kind of interview question (which boils down to a seen presentation) offers a view into the candidate's personality and outlook that tells you so much, including how they will fit into a team and how they will respond to the unexpected.
I grant you it may seem excessive for a seasonal job.

🤣 about the pulse and opposable thumbs comment!

Edited

Back in the Old Days the job was discussed. The interviewers might pose problems and ask you how you'd deal. They'd ask you why you wanted that job. They'd ask what you'd bring to it and about any relevant experience in and out of work

They might ask what you particularly enjoyed/were good at in previous jobs - strengths/weaknesses

And a bit about you outside of work - interests, hobbies etc.

Then asked if you wanted to ask anything

Seemed to work just fine