Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

What is the correct response to this interview question?

92 replies

DoesThisLookRight · 23/08/2019 21:36

It’s obviously not what I replied with but it’s been bugging me ever since as I can’t think of anything even vaguely acceptable.

Trying to get back into work as youngest will be starting school soon. I had an interview today for a job I didn’t particularly want but thought interview practice would be good. All going along fairly well, I thought until I’m asked ‘what would you say the worst thing you’d ever done is?’ I ask if they mean in a work capacity and interviewer 1 says ‘no, just in an overall capacity’ while interviewer 2 gives an expectant head tilt. For reasons I don’t fully understand I said ‘I’m a compulsive liar, everything on my CV and that I’ve just told you is a lie’ and then giggle. They both look at each other raise eyebrows and continue with the interview. I did try and tell them at the end that I was just joking but I think they’d written me off by then Blush.

I’ve spent the afternoon cringing and trying not to think about it. But what is the correct answer? I can’t think of anything you could say that wouldn’t make you look like a liar or a terrible person. Is that a normal interview question now? I was all practised for the ‘what are your strengths and weaknesses’ type questions but not ready to tell them the worst thing I’d ever done!

Also, if by any ridiculous miracle my interviewers are reading this thread - I was really nervous and I thought it was vaguely funny and infinitely better than actually telling you the worst thing I’d done.

OP posts:
DinosaursWouldEatYou · 23/08/2019 22:15

🤣 I love that answer @DoesThisLookRight, tis a shame they didn't enjoy it. But there loss.

And yes that's a weird question, I've had what's been your greatest achievement/what are you most proud of? And was stuck for answers cause y'know I spent most my time researching and quizzing myself on the company I wanted to be hired for and not prepared for any random personal questions....

Parttimewasteoftime · 23/08/2019 22:16

I got asked what type of biscuit would I be!? 🤔

CherrySocks · 23/08/2019 22:19

I have just actually wasted a few minutes of my life wondering what biscuit I would be
Biscuit

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

minniemoll · 23/08/2019 22:20

I think I might have said 'thinking I wanted this job' at that point....

TooTrueToBeGood · 23/08/2019 22:21

I'd be a garibaldi, if my name was Gary.

DoesThisLookRight · 23/08/2019 22:22

parttime that was always a question asked of celebrities by Smash Hits magazine or Just 17 wasn’t it? For some reason I have various 90’s celebs that I associate with various biscuits.

OP posts:
CherrySocks · 23/08/2019 22:23

I really want to know how they grade the answers!
Any interviewers on here?
Do you get more points for a garibaldi or a custard cream?
Or Russell Brand or Mr Bean?

EskewedBeef · 23/08/2019 22:27

It really is a stupid question. I'm trying to imagine the very worst thing anyone would admit to strangers they're hoping to impress. It's not going to be things like "I ate a white rhino," or "I breached the Geneva convention," is it? I'd save those confessions for livening up team meetings.

DoesThisLookRight · 23/08/2019 22:29

Ooh, shooting and eating a rhino would be a good one to say. I want to ask them if I can have another interview so I can try all these answers out and see how they react.

OP posts:
CherrySocks · 23/08/2019 22:30

In Bridget Jones she says "I shagged my boss" doesn't she? And gets the job.

BobbyPuck · 23/08/2019 22:33

That's hilarious. You dodged a bullet!

TooTrueToBeGood · 23/08/2019 22:33

"I once murdered someone who rejected me for a job". Headtilt.

longtimelurkerhelen · 23/08/2019 22:35

"I once murdered someone who rejected me for a job". Headtilt.

We have a winner.

CherrySocks · 23/08/2019 22:35

TooTrueToBeGood Grin Grin Grin

motorcyclenumptiness · 23/08/2019 22:35

A recruiter once asked me a stupid question in an interview. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti. Fafafafafa.

Nyctophyllia · 23/08/2019 22:35

I've always wanted to be asked how I perform under pressure so I can answer "quite well, but I prefer bohemian rhapsody"

Goingonagondola · 23/08/2019 22:36

"I once murdered someone who rejected me for a job". Headtilt.

Best one!

But actually this is a grossly intrusive question. They're either going to get a lie or something really horrible and private that someone who came there hoping to impress them has felt obliged to humiliate themselves by confessing.

itbemay1 · 23/08/2019 22:39

That's a very lazy interview question, just like what are your strengths and weaknesses. I'd email them and say I don't require feedback but I am happy to give you some!

Sarahlou63 · 23/08/2019 22:41

I'd say "got really drunk at a friends engagement party and ended up shagging the boyfriend of the chief bridesmaid in a ballroom overlooking Kensington Palace. Bride's mother interrupted us."

Ha!

partysong · 23/08/2019 22:41

I don't even think it was a legitimate question, they just wanted gossip

god, I want to add it to my interview schedule now

gilliansgardenbench · 23/08/2019 22:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

actuallyquitesmall · 23/08/2019 22:44

"When I was at primary school I once put some Copydex into my teacher's cup of tea when they weren't looking"

That's not really bad enough, is it?

How about:

"Someone used to keep letting their dog shit in the flower bed in my front garden. One day I saw who it was, so I went round their house in the middle of the night and posted the turds back through their letterbox"

Is that one a bit better?

doadeer · 23/08/2019 22:45

Run through fields of wheat?!

Legomadx2 · 23/08/2019 22:52

Awful question.

Legomadx2 · 23/08/2019 22:54

A friend of mine shagged Russell Brand once and says it's the worst thing SHE'S ever done too. Honestly