Worst/bizarre interviews you have ever had...

[Franklymydearidontgiveadam]

I've got a few interviews lined up

Had 3 already this week, one interview I sent my cv, invited for interview during my interview I had to write an application form Inc work history which was painstaking and one I've just had now invloved a game show like quiz.....

I have another this afternoon, i'm drained already!

I used to interview new graduates for a large organisation. There was a very standard recruitment process with an interview at the end so most of the unsuitable candidates had been weeded out before they got to me. But I did have a few 'interesting' experiences- I suspect mainly candidates who had been advised to make sure they were memorable!

1. One who answered all teamwork related questions with some variant of 'I don't work well with others' or 'I'm a leader, not a follower' (for a job where all the ads etc made a big thing of wanting team players).
2. One who did a text book interview but when I asked if he had any questions at the end asked if he could make a suggestion for us. He then talked himself out of a job by telling me that he thought we spent too much time worrying about rules and red tape, and if he got the job he would be the most efficient employee we ever had because he would ignore it all. This was in a highly regulated industry with prison sentences for ignoring the rules in some cases!
3. A candidate who refused to answer any of my questions and instead said she's prefer to give me a presentation on her recent year out. I explained that I was only allowed to score her interview based on the standard questions provided by HR so really needed to stick to the questions (although she could refer to experiences in her year out if relevant). She pretty much ignored all the questions anyway and did not get the job. So she reported me to head office, saying that I had insisted on asking her 'irrelevant' questions and didn't allow her a chance to be creative!

Well the interview questions I had today were either trick questions or questions with answers that I wouldn't know unless I've done that job. Oh well, I know I haven't got it. Bring on the next one this afternoon

Not my personal experience but..

I heard about someone who (was applying for a high pressure professional course), when asked in an interview what they do to wind down and destress, simply answered - cocaine.

They didn't get it.

@CharlotteMD what do you mean you still have the photos? You took pictures of a man who had an accident? Why?

I went to sleep in an interview, once.

DP just reminded me of a weird one

I had a job with QS the clothing store but within 8 months of me joining they went bust.
It was the start of the downturn so whereas it was easy to get shop work it was increasingly difficult.
I went for a job as an assistant to a shop manager. The shop was independent but it had been there for many years

Has anyone ever seen Human Traffic? If so, think of the greasy boss in the fast food restaurant.

Anyway, I go in, asked standard questions by the fellow. He was around mid to late 50s. Very well dressed but sat with his knees spread and so close one of the legs was touching mine.

Said he was impressed that I was well spoken and didn't sound chavvy, and clearly knew how to dress appropriately rather than some of the "daft tarts in tracksuits" he had seen previously.
I tried to be polite. Wondered if this was a test to see if I slagged people off. He referred to me as "very tidy indeed", it was like something from Carry On.

He then said I would need to escort him to events for business executives as his wife is a "miserable old trout" these days. Asked me did I have a boyfriend?

The minute I said yes, he was off. I was wasting his time. He didn't want someone taken.

I found the whole thing uncomfortable and ridiculous and having grown a pair at this stage of my employment history, I told him so, that there was nothing on his ad saying I needed to be single and I was pretty sure that was against the law. I told him he was a total creep who clearly didn't want an assistant but a tart to employ.

I walked out rather swiftly. On the way out I bumped into the next girl going for an interview and told her unless she wanted to be relentlessly perved over, don't bother, and she followed me out.

A few years later, the guy was arrested, he had been up to some very dodgy financial stuff and owed millions. I was rather pleased for his poor wife, and hope she dumped his creepy arse.

@BiBiBirdie 🙁🙁

An interviewer who took my CV from whatever pile or file in front of him, read it through, and his first questions (of not very many, in the end, but I can't remember the rest), were - as typed:
"What does your Father do?"
"...And your Mother?"

Specialist school for children with disabilities, classroom assistant - I had popped on the confidential part of the application form that I had a long term health issue. Same bit as where they ask if you’re gay, trans, black or white etc . Apparently just for statistics .

Interview went fine although they were 30 minutes late, the second panel member never even introduced himself nor shook my hand and there was zero eye contact from either . They told me they didn’t have time to look at me, just wanted an answer that they could write down .

Standard questions eg health and safety, disclosure of abuse, how to adapt communication, etc etc .

End of the interview:

‘So what’s wrong with you then?’ , from the headteacher. I was completely gobsmacked. Proceeded to ask again saying she needed details as it was a factor in whether she should employ me .

A week later the candidate who got the job told everyone on Facebook . She was best friends with half the teaching staff and had a child attending the school already .

I phoned the school the next morning - receptionist was horrified I’d found out via bloody Facebook . HT never did contact me - my status on council website just changed to ‘rejected’ .

Had similar doing interviews with two supermarkets in south west Scotland where they openly asked if I was a roman catholic - and if I had Irish ancestors ...

Well all....

The normal interview I had yesterday phoned and offered me the job. I cried my eyes out on the phone to the HR lady as I was so shocked. But wow... Over the moon. Xxx

Was interviewed to be on a beauty counter at Harrods in London , was offered to go and have my hair done to look “even more gorgeous” as the interviewer didn’t like the fact I wore a headscarf. I politely declined and reminded her that 99.9% of the clients passing through wore it too!

I had one for a pub job as a teen, where they basically brought me in from three miles away only to be told the main landlord was out refereeing a football game. They didn't offer to reimburse my bus money. I never went back.

MrsA2015 Are we talking a hijab or a fashion one?

Well done frankly. My job interview today was lovely and normal....and I desperately wanted to hear back today. Nothing yet!

@franklymydearidontgiveadam congratulations! Three interviews in one week is really tough, glad you got a good outcome.

My worst interview was the day before my dad's wedding. I had a really bad cold, so with hindsight should have withdrawn. I had to drink water every other sentence and was generally rubbish. When they asked when I was free for a feedback call I said not the following day as dad getting married. She called me at 7pm on the wedding day to tell me I was unsuccessful, ignored my 'ok, thank you, bye' and launched into a five minute speech on how I should reconsider my career goals as I clearly didn't have the confidence needed to succeed. I knew the person who got the job, they lasted 2 months and quit because she was an absolute bully.

The one where they literally didn't ask me a single question

They started the 'telling you about the company' spiel which went on and on and on ...... and on. Then 'thanks for coming we'll let you know'

I didn't get it

@JesusInTheCabbageVan I work for a DV charity. I'd do exactly the same as your answer. All my colleagues would. If she turned out not to be on drugs then fine but you have to respond to the situation as it's presented to you.

My worst interview was the one I had before Christmas. The opening question from the lecherous old man on the interview panel was "Are you married or single?" The younger woman interviewing with him did at least look horrified. The rest of the interview went well but I suspect I didn't hear back because I pointed out his question was illegal...

Congrats OP.

@rbe78 do you think they were looking to recruit spies????

I once cried in a job interview and, amazingly got the job!

Well done Frankly

I had been temping in an office for 2 months when a permanent job came up.

My manager was doing the interviews, and she started by saying "In the interest of Equal Opportunity and fairness, we're going to pretend that we don't know you. So, er, (looking down at the application form) "Lala" is it?"

I've never had a bad or strange interview myself but I've conducted a few...

Me: so what's made you apply for the role with us?
Candidate: well I'm bored and I need the money. He also referenced his penis at some point as well

Had a girl who kept checking her phone whilst I was showing her round

Me: the role is for 40 hours a week. Are you available to work 9-17:30 daily
Candidate- yes that's fine I can work Tuesday afternoons and Saturdays.
Me- erm...

There was one who took nearly two hours to complete half the interview. It's a very simple interview with questions like " tell me about a time you helped a customer" or "how would you deal with a complaint" she asked me multiple times to explain the question, then after she'd finally answered it she asked for feedback on her answer. She then started talking about her controlling mother who didn't want her to work or leave the house. I felt sorry for her but I couldnt hire her

Then there was the poor woman who I interviewed whilst I had a chest infection and coughed throughout her whole interview. I felt bad for that one

I had an interview with Holland and Barrett once which was an experience! The shop manager talked at me for an hour and told me his entire life story...he never asked me a single question!

I got a letter 2 months later saying I didn't have enough retail experience (I had 4 years!) and they wouldn't be offering me a job 🤣

I still chuckle when I go past the shop - think he did me a favour!

Interview was 1993. It was a NHS 2nd interview to ask a few technical questions with no HR representation as that had been covered in 1st interview.
I already had one DC and was asked by the 2 (female) interviewers if I planned to have any more DC. I was appalled by the question, but accepted it because I wanted the job.
I got the job and some time later when I told the HR manager that I’d been asked that question, he denied it could have possibly happened🤷‍♀️

@studentadvice Why did they ask if you had Irish ancestors?

@NewYearsRevolution2020, sectarianism.

Scottish Protestants don't like Roman Catholics and people from the Republic of Ireland are? more than likely, Roman Catholic.

are, more than likely