In not wanting to answer these interview questions

[Bigi]

It seems to me that job interviews are no longer about my past experience and what I have done, but more about me demonstrating that I can do their job by imparting valuable information and insight about their business. I quite want to start telling them to get stuffed, but don't know politely how to do that.

In one he asked me "going through our customer range what products do you think are missing?" I answered with one, and he told me to keep going, and then said "I didn't know that was available anymore" on one. When I said it was he asked where from. I was then told that they decided not to hire for that role, but since then 3 of my 5 suggestions have gone live on their website. I am sure the other 2 are coming- they just haven't had time yet.

In another I mentioned market research and they said that is hard in this sector because it is niche. I said there are a couple of specialised panels that I would approach. They asked me who- I couldn't think of a way not to answer. I got a phone call 2 weeks later from a contact at the panel, thanking me for the referral. On that one they went with an internal candidate, who I am pretty sure they had decided on from the start.

How can I remain looking competent and helpful without giving people the answers they should get if they employ me.

I had this years ago. I was asked to do a plan for my first 100 days in the role. It took me hours, I presented it to the board and the job went to an internal candidate. Weeks later I saw my slide deck being used in part of a marketing campaign on LinkedIn. Since then I've pointed this out to potential employees and said I will only work in hypothetical scenarios. If they refuse I pull out of the process.

"That's a very good suggestion Miss Jones. Perhaps one of the men would like to make it."

I would, but I kind of really, really need a job

In both your examples, I'd be a bit cheeky and say, "if I get the job I'll let you know [which company to get the thing from]."

…because interviews are not a memory test, I already know your experience, I saw it on your CV … what I want to know is what you have learned from those experiences, and how you would bring that learning into my organisation, and make it better.

This used to be standard practice in publishing; If a magazine was running short of ideas, they would advertise a post and ask the candidates to bring in ideas for features or special editions. There was no post and no appointment, but they got the ideas.

Sure, but then ask more general questions or competency based questions e.g. "How would you go about identifying what type of new product is likely be be successful?" Or "what factors would you consider when choosing a new product for us to sell?" "What do you look for when hiring an external research agency/what process would you follow?" rather than using it as a free hour or so of consultancy!

I had the same experience. As this was al.ost through presentations, I put the copyright sign on it!

I'm not really in a position to be cheeky at the moment!!!

Perhaps you could say something like, using XYZ techniques I would identify the gaps and using XYZ strategy drive it to market.

Thereby demonstrating competency but not giving ideas.

Many years ago (early 1990s) I was interviewed for a fairly junior role by one of the consultancies who seemed remarkably disinterested in me yet very interested in a particular project I was working on. I felt the questions were stepping well beyond what was appropriate to assess me, so I politely said so. Interview then got quickly wrapped up. I did a bit of digging when I got back and discovered that they were bidding for part of the project.
I did manage to scupper their bid... 😁

I had this this week! I didn't know how to address this either OP. I feel your pain.

I’ve had it happen to me too. I’m convinced I was headhunted by a competitor once because they wanted to a ‘fact find’ on the business I worked for. I caught onto what they were doing pretty quickly and shot down their questions. It was a bazar situation and I was angry they wasted my time.

I've had this. They asked me to go through their website and identify areas to improve. So...free proof-reading and identification of problem areas. It annoyed me at the time but I really wanted out of where I was. Didn't get the job, though, surprise, surprise.

I think I might try something like "of course I am happy to bring my contact book to the new role"?

This is so poor, but they have you over a barrel I think