I said the most ridiculous thing in an interview

[Boomerang99]

They asked me how to create an effective team and my mind went blank so I said I would bring them cookies.

I'm not getting the job am I? Still cannot believe I said that!

I've got an interview this week and reading this thread has really helped in what not to say!

What could I being to the role if hired?

My gratitude.

I just interviewed today and wanted to show my enthusiasm for the job so I said.
:I hope you'll give me a chance to show you my .." I fumbled at this point for the right word as he looked at me expectantly.
I ended with "wares" lamely.

During the course of an interview, I made the determination that I really didn't want the job.

The interviewer asked me "why do you think you are the best person for this job?"

I replied "To answer that question, I would have to see the list of candidates, and interview them. Isn't that what you are supposed to be doing?"

I didn't get the job.

Bringing in cookies may not solve team-building problem, but it's not likely to make things worse, either. I've heard a lot of answers to that question that would almost certainly make things worse. So, I'm sure, has the interviewer. I don't think you're out of the running.

Your answer sounds fine OP, good luck!

In the hope that it will make you feel better, I had a virtual job interview very recently, it was an absolute car crash. The platform cut out twice on my end in the first few minutes, freeze-framing me onscreen with my mouth wide open and looking insane, both times. I’m normally a quiet person but when I’m very nervous & flustered I over-talk, and I could not shut up!! Got so caught up in my own rhetoric that I forgot the point I was trying to make… twice. Kept laughing, almost manically, causing my forehead vein to bulge most alarmingly, which was a great match to my red face! I looked and sounded like my head was about to explode.

Every time I think about it, I die a bit more from embarrassment. “So cringe” as the kids might say.

Some of these had me in stitches, I did an interview last year online, recorded video interview. I viewed my practise video shortly after and realised I should have tied my hair back I looked like Dougal from The Magic Roundabout on a spin cycle....

OMG - I'm waiting for (yet another) interview to start and checked in on this thread. That descriptor of you, @Bearnecessity , as Dougal on a spin cycle just made me proper snort. Needed that!

At a graduate scheme I was asked “what are your goals in the next five years?”

And I answered with
“I’d like to get a cat”.

I asked him how he’d answer that question and he said something a long the lines of managing a team, earning enough to be able to get a mortgage and buying a property.

I replied to him that I’d probably have to have my own property as most landlords don’t allow cats.

I didn’t get the job... but I did get a cat!

Hope you fair better than me on that day.....@Iveputmyselfonthenaughtystep 🤞🏻

@SylvanasWindrunner

I used the phrase 'and it's a big but' and then stopped, giggled and said 'big butt'. Didn't get that job.

I’ve just done a proper Muttley laugh at this @SylvanasWindrunner

At least you didn't make the interviewer cry like I did once!
I was asked to describe a positive outcome that I had with a group of people. I told of a time I had worked with a group of young people who had physical and learning disabilities and how we achieved something in particular. I focused in on one of the group who both of the interviewers know and told how something had been really successful for them even though it was challenging for them. There was silence and the interviewer was crying and saying 'that is so lovely, oh my god that is amazing!' Fortunately they were happy tears.

Making small chat in the lift after an interview I asked the interviewee what they had planned to do with the rest of their day and she said go back to work I pulled a sickie this morning. She hadn't got the job but that cemented it

I have laughed out loud so many times reading these posts.
I was left cringing for days recently after nearly crying during a Zoom interview. I was talking about my last role and my reason for leaving then started to feel tearful. I tried to hide it but totally failed. I wasn’t full on crying, but I must have looked unhinged! I think the emotional outpouring was due to illness because a couple of days later I tested positive for Covid. I didn’t get the job. I wish the interview had been recorded so I could watch it to see her reaction! So very funny!

OP, I’m a civil servant and I sit on interviewing panels.

It’s not a dreadful answer - in fact, I’d argue that bringing in cake is one way of creating a more relaxed and communal atmosphere, which is likely to contribute to resolving the problem on the team.

Don’t write your interview off yet!

I interviewed a young man last week. At the end of the interview, my colleague (who was also in the interview) said, 'thank you', and I said 'lovely to have met you'. The candidate got a bit flustered about who to reply to, and ended up shaking my hand saying, 'love you!' His face 😂😂

@Boomerang99 did you hear back from the job?

@Schhhteeevie not yet. It's a job with the civil service and apparently they take a really long time to make a decision.

Good luck

I went for a job as an air hostess for one of the big airlines. First stage is a group interview, sitting in a circle answering questions one by one.

First question was what do you think would be the hardest part of the job? I had to go first and mind went blank and I said Smiling all day as it would make my cheeks hurt. They moved on pretty quickly... got even worse as one by one the others said things like being caught in a hostage situation, the plane crashing over the sea etc. I tried to put my hand up to say I think thar would be hard too but they ignored me.

I didn't get through to the second stage

I'm on the reserve list!!!! Can I email them to ask where on the list I am or is that rude?

@Boomerang99

I'm on the reserve list!!!! Can I email them to ask where on the list I am or is that rude?

They may well not be able to tell you - but hang fire, you’ll get there!

I was once interviewing and asked a candidate to talk about a time they'd overcome a challenge. She talked about how she had a phobia of cardboard boxes but gave herself a stern talking to so she could now open cardboard boxes! I think she got the job actually!