Taking an object to interview?
Discussion
Looking for some advice please 
Got an interview lined up next week for a trainee position in the oil and gas industry. Really excited as it's my dream job and I really want to impress in the interview. I'm a bit stuck on one of the requirements - Can you please bring along with you an object that best describes yourself?
I was thinking something like a stress ball with a smiley face (Can cope under pressure, well rounded, positive attitude etc)
I would say the main attributes they will be looking for is someone who is enthusiastic, willing to learn, accurate and able to
Work well in a team. Any ideas on an object that matches this?
Any help would be really appreciated.
Got an interview lined up next week for a trainee position in the oil and gas industry. Really excited as it's my dream job and I really want to impress in the interview. I'm a bit stuck on one of the requirements - Can you please bring along with you an object that best describes yourself?
I was thinking something like a stress ball with a smiley face (Can cope under pressure, well rounded, positive attitude etc)
I would say the main attributes they will be looking for is someone who is enthusiastic, willing to learn, accurate and able to
Work well in a team. Any ideas on an object that matches this?
Any help would be really appreciated.
Edited by Maxwell90 on Thursday 26th June 03:27
A brick? Two short planks? Punch bag?
Sorry.
Actually, I'm interested by this. Bookmarked.
The only constructive thing I've got to say, which is obvious, is - be prepared to talk about whatever it is you bring, in detail, for 5 - 10 minutes. You may not have to, or only spend a couple of minutes on it, but if you bring an object to talk about, be prepared to talk about it until the interviewers have heard enough
Sorry.
Actually, I'm interested by this. Bookmarked.
The only constructive thing I've got to say, which is obvious, is - be prepared to talk about whatever it is you bring, in detail, for 5 - 10 minutes. You may not have to, or only spend a couple of minutes on it, but if you bring an object to talk about, be prepared to talk about it until the interviewers have heard enough
The item that best describes me would probably be my missus, followed by myself.
What a horrible question. I can't think of anything more cringeworthy.
Maybe a small electric motor or something. Something that's not a sponge or a diamond or another really cheesy item, stress ball isn't too bad.
Can't think of an item but something that learns or is mouldable etc. I'd also suggest a bit of humour mixed in with the toe curling stuff.
What a horrible question. I can't think of anything more cringeworthy.
Maybe a small electric motor or something. Something that's not a sponge or a diamond or another really cheesy item, stress ball isn't too bad.
Can't think of an item but something that learns or is mouldable etc. I'd also suggest a bit of humour mixed in with the toe curling stuff.
thenorth said:
Lego bricks
Take a few different colours then you can talk about how the colours represent your skills and that they are infinitely customisable depending on the task in hand.
Very good idea. But dont regress back to childhood and then say 'No! These are MINE!!!' And not let anyone else play with them...Take a few different colours then you can talk about how the colours represent your skills and that they are infinitely customisable depending on the task in hand.
How about a pair of knickers? Blokes are very pleased to see them, women find them very comfortable to be around and also find them very useful.
The problem with these "curve ball" questions is that they are purely subjective. Yes on the one hand they may gave you an idea of who is socially confident, extrovert and a creative thinker.
But what of the person who is highly competent in the skills for the role, but is a little bit aspy or introverted. They might be incredibly uncomfortable with this approach.
Provided the rest of the interview has a focus on skills and ability then this "could" be a fun idea and an icebreaker to warm up the candidate. However it has potential to go badly wrong.
That said, I would avoid sentiment, pick something practical or useful a great piece of design with aesthetic as well as functional qualities. But that can show a bit of your personality. ( that Lego idea is a good shout)
I would take a tin of birds custard. Invented a while ago, still relevant and useful for scientific proof of the existence of supercars the world over.
Gargamel said:
The problem with these "curve ball" questions is that they are purely subjective. Yes on the one hand they may gave you an idea of who is socially confident, extrovert and a creative thinker.
But what of the person who is highly competent in the skills for the role, but is a little bit aspy or introverted. They might be incredibly uncomfortable with this approach.
Provided the rest of the interview has a focus on skills and ability then this "could" be a fun idea and an icebreaker to warm up the candidate. However it has potential to go badly wrong.
That said, I would avoid sentiment, pick something practical or useful a great piece of design with aesthetic as well as functional qualities. But that can show a bit of your personality. ( that Lego idea is a good shout)
I would take a tin of birds custard. Invented a while ago, still relevant and useful for scientific proof of the existence of supercars the world over.
All good points. I would guess that if you are required to work out on rigs for extended periods than this type of quirky personality test probably forms a decent part of how they analyse you as a person to live with, rather than purely on your skillset.But what of the person who is highly competent in the skills for the role, but is a little bit aspy or introverted. They might be incredibly uncomfortable with this approach.
Provided the rest of the interview has a focus on skills and ability then this "could" be a fun idea and an icebreaker to warm up the candidate. However it has potential to go badly wrong.
That said, I would avoid sentiment, pick something practical or useful a great piece of design with aesthetic as well as functional qualities. But that can show a bit of your personality. ( that Lego idea is a good shout)
I would take a tin of birds custard. Invented a while ago, still relevant and useful for scientific proof of the existence of supercars the world over.
Gargamel said:
The problem with these "curve ball" questions is that they are purely subjective. Yes on the one hand they may gave you an idea of who is socially confident, extrovert and a creative thinker.
But what of the person who is highly competent in the skills for the role, but is a little bit aspy or introverted. They might be incredibly uncomfortable with this approach.
This, my first thought would be to not take anything and ridicule the interviewer/panel for suggesting such a thing was a good idea. "You wanted me to bring a mascot?", "you believe a person can be described best by an inanimate object?" and of course once this sank into the interviewer and the interview broke down I would walk out. But after thinking about it I would cancel the interview, I cant work with people who think this bBut what of the person who is highly competent in the skills for the role, but is a little bit aspy or introverted. They might be incredibly uncomfortable with this approach.
ks (which they probably read about on linkedin) is a good idea.Ive done this before (walked out of an interview) when asked to draw a bicycle, I was followed by the HR bod that was attending and asked to explain myself (wasnt impressed by her stern tone) to which I just laughed then explained that I don't consider it very professional and would prefer to work in the company of professionals, not my finest hour but I was offered the job. Which I turned down for 2 reasons A. They wanted me to draw a bicycle on a friggin whiteboard... B. The pay wasn't what I was expecting it to be ie it was 30% less than I was told by the recruitment consultant.
Lego bricks is a good idea. Another is small jigsaw puzzle or something else that can help you illustrate that your are a good problem solver. We had an intern at work who was an amateur magician. I would have loved to have walked in with a coin as my "object" and then pull it out from behind the interviewer's ear. He used to do it to us.
ChasW said:
Lego bricks is a good idea. Another is small jigsaw puzzle or something else that can help you illustrate that your are a good problem solver. We had an intern at work who was an amateur magician. I would have loved to have walked in with a coin as my "object" and then pull it out from behind the interviewer's ear. He used to do it to us.
See that's the problem. Two candidates, one is an amateur magician, with a good patter and an amazing trick. Easy to like right ?
Other guy, Bit frazzled, slightly overweight, works all day and night, has the skills, has great results in his current role. Brings in a can of coke and says something horribly cheesy about - this is what keeps him going at work.
Easy to make the wrong hire given the actual role content....
thenorth said:
Lego bricks
Take a few different colours then you can talk about how the colours represent your skills and that they are infinitely customisable depending on the task in hand.
Thats a good one, could build a mini oil rig and throw in saying I've got a passion for the oil and gas industry as well.Take a few different colours then you can talk about how the colours represent your skills and that they are infinitely customisable depending on the task in hand.
The position is for a trainee designer (draughtsman).
Thanks for all the input everyone, will let you know the outcome. Bloody nervous about it already!
It doesn't matter in the slightest what you take. They are only interesting in testing your powers of communication, your ability to perform well in unusual situations and your level of self awareness.
There are better ways of testing these things in my view but I see their logic and value if you have to quickly sift a lot of candidates.
As someone who is reasonable good at/into languages, I always make a point of conversing with a candidate in any language that I can speak in which they claim to have more than a basic level of proficiency. It's amazing how many blaggers I have caught out over the years.....
There are better ways of testing these things in my view but I see their logic and value if you have to quickly sift a lot of candidates.
As someone who is reasonable good at/into languages, I always make a point of conversing with a candidate in any language that I can speak in which they claim to have more than a basic level of proficiency. It's amazing how many blaggers I have caught out over the years.....
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