job interview stories - had any bad or amusing ones?
Discussion
OK just got back from a 2nd interview from a company where I made a bad start by forgetting the USB stick with my presentation I had to do for them - yes I'm a t
t!. During this interview, I was heavily grilled by the Operations Manager who asked me all sorts of questions about my understanding of quality processes, and also my experience of business processes. Unfortunately I'm just a thick sales engineer type who up until recently worked for a company with only 4 people in it. Therefore we just got on with the job, didn't pay any attention to ISO 9000 requirements (which probably put in pretty words what we did and how we did it anyway) and just made things as simple and efficient as possible. And until our parent company relocated our company to Yorkshire (from Guildford) we were very good at it. As a result this guy was seriously unimpressed. Oh well. He left halfway through the interview and I did discover he had been foisted upon the company by their parent company presumably because they felt engineers couldn't be trusted to run a business.
On Thursday I have an interview with an IT marketing company who have all the stereotypical consultancy hallmarks: The flashy office, the website that looks amazing and yet tells you nothing material about what they do and a job spec worthy of a game of bullst bingo. And yet after last nights episode of hustle I can't being myself to get my bullst bingo vocabulary up to speed. Hopefully I won't need to and I misjudged them!
Anyone else had any interesting experiences?
t!. During this interview, I was heavily grilled by the Operations Manager who asked me all sorts of questions about my understanding of quality processes, and also my experience of business processes. Unfortunately I'm just a thick sales engineer type who up until recently worked for a company with only 4 people in it. Therefore we just got on with the job, didn't pay any attention to ISO 9000 requirements (which probably put in pretty words what we did and how we did it anyway) and just made things as simple and efficient as possible. And until our parent company relocated our company to Yorkshire (from Guildford) we were very good at it. As a result this guy was seriously unimpressed. Oh well. He left halfway through the interview and I did discover he had been foisted upon the company by their parent company presumably because they felt engineers couldn't be trusted to run a business.On Thursday I have an interview with an IT marketing company who have all the stereotypical consultancy hallmarks: The flashy office, the website that looks amazing and yet tells you nothing material about what they do and a job spec worthy of a game of bulls
t bingo. And yet after last nights episode of hustle I can't being myself to get my bullst bingo vocabulary up to speed. Hopefully I won't need to and I misjudged them!Anyone else had any interesting experiences?
I just interiewed a guy who seemed very keen and quite knowledgeable for his experience level. Perhaps not quite experienced enough for the position but with the right attitude.
However when he heard me and my VP talking- the way we do about cars, being real petrol heads- he later went and ruined it- when he went one-on-one with the VP lying- saying that he took the engine out of his Hyundai in the evenings to test on the dyno at the technical centre where he studied/worked- just like that- before putting it back into his car again to go back home.
He obviously felt the need he had to impress and come across as a real petrol head.
However when he heard me and my VP talking- the way we do about cars, being real petrol heads- he later went and ruined it- when he went one-on-one with the VP lying- saying that he took the engine out of his Hyundai in the evenings to test on the dyno at the technical centre where he studied/worked- just like that- before putting it back into his car again to go back home.
He obviously felt the need he had to impress and come across as a real petrol head.
Marquis_Rex said:
I just interiewed a guy who seemed very keen and quite knowledgeable for his experience level. Perhaps not quite experienced enough for the position but with the right attitude.
However when he heard me and my VP talking- the way we do about cars, being real petrol heads- he later went and ruined it- when he went one-on-one with the VP lying- saying that he took the engine out of his Hyundai in the evenings to test on the dyno at the technical centre where he studied/worked- just like that- before putting it back into his car again to go back home.
He obviously felt the need he had to impress and come across as a real petrol head.
Yep I never lie about anything in interviews. Way to easy to get caught out! However when he heard me and my VP talking- the way we do about cars, being real petrol heads- he later went and ruined it- when he went one-on-one with the VP lying- saying that he took the engine out of his Hyundai in the evenings to test on the dyno at the technical centre where he studied/worked- just like that- before putting it back into his car again to go back home.
He obviously felt the need he had to impress and come across as a real petrol head.
Yes, went for an interview a few years back and an engineering company in Ryton.
The mechanical design manager came in and asked me a few questions which I answered confidently. He the pulled an A4 piece of paper from his Filofax
and put it on the table.
It had a drawing on it. A hand drawn drawing. By who I think was his 2 year old child, while blindfolded and his drawing hand tied to his feet.
His question, and I quote, bearing in mind that I didn't know the product nor could I make out what the drawing was. "How would you design that?" and that was it.
I looked at him puzzled and asked what the hell it was and what does he mean by design it? Calculations? modelling? detailed drawings? what?
He took the piece of paper and left the room.
After that the director of the company came in. We instantly had a personality clash and by the end of the interview I basically told him to shove his job up his arse. Can't remember my exact wording but it was along the lines of "I wouldn't work for your company if I was paid 3 times the wage".
The mechanical design manager came in and asked me a few questions which I answered confidently. He the pulled an A4 piece of paper from his Filofax
and put it on the table.It had a drawing on it. A hand drawn drawing. By who I think was his 2 year old child, while blindfolded and his drawing hand tied to his feet.
His question, and I quote, bearing in mind that I didn't know the product nor could I make out what the drawing was. "How would you design that?" and that was it.
I looked at him puzzled and asked what the hell it was and what does he mean by design it? Calculations? modelling? detailed drawings? what?
He took the piece of paper and left the room.
After that the director of the company came in. We instantly had a personality clash and by the end of the interview I basically told him to shove his job up his arse. Can't remember my exact wording but it was along the lines of "I wouldn't work for your company if I was paid 3 times the wage".
Recently interviewed the ex head of HR of a well known shop chain.
In answer to the question "why do you want this job?" she said "because I don't like my current job and would like a promotion"
- NEXT!
Another candidate, when asked at the end if she had any questions said "can you tell me why you short listed me? - I was really surprised"
In answer to the question "why do you want this job?" she said "because I don't like my current job and would like a promotion"
- NEXT!
Another candidate, when asked at the end if she had any questions said "can you tell me why you short listed me? - I was really surprised"
MikeO996 said:
Recently interviewed the ex head of HR of a well known shop chain.
In answer to the question "why do you want this job?" she said "because I don't like my current job and would like a promotion"
- NEXT!
Don't see the problem with that? why do you think he wanted to work for you? because he loves working for someone else, his current company is too god for him and they pay him far too much?In answer to the question "why do you want this job?" she said "because I don't like my current job and would like a promotion"
- NEXT!
Your the exact sort of boss I would hate to work with, you think your company should come first in someone elses life don't you? as long as they work and get their job done whats the problem?
I work for money, not for the pleasure of it.
Edited by WorAl on Tuesday 2nd February 16:36
Had some applications for vacancies where I work advertised on the website so we had applications from all over the world. One response that made me chuckle was to the question "Why do you want to leave your current position?" They'd replied with "Civil War". I wanted them in just to hear their story!
WorAl said:
MikeO996 said:
Recently interviewed the ex head of HR of a well known shop chain.
In answer to the question "why do you want this job?" she said "because I don't like my current job and would like a promotion"
- NEXT!
Don't see the problem with that? why do you think he wanted to work for you? because he loves working for someone else, his current company is too god for him and they pay him far too much?In answer to the question "why do you want this job?" she said "because I don't like my current job and would like a promotion"
- NEXT!
Your the exact sort of boss I would hate to work with, you think your company should come first in someone elses life don't you? as long as they work and get their job done whats the problem?
I work for money, not for the pleasure of it.
Edited by WorAl on Tuesday 2nd February 16:36
t your answer to that....To give background, a friend of a friend has a party trick of teabagging who ever falls asleep first. It's a bit close to gay for my liking, but he seems to enjoy it regardless! This story tends to get retold as it's quite funny.
Went for an interview at a place where an old friend/ex-colleague was already working. The job was pretty much a given already as he had put in a good word for me, they had to interview for formalities though.
Went along having brushed up on the relevant tech. Went through the usual interview type questions, asked a few of my own etc.
Then, the more senior guy in the interview asked me straight out "What do you understand of Tea-bagging?"
"WTF?!" I thought... To then twig that he must have spoken to my friend Andy!
I told him to give me the job and I'd tell him after the first month
Started two days later which was nice.
Went for an interview at a place where an old friend/ex-colleague was already working. The job was pretty much a given already as he had put in a good word for me, they had to interview for formalities though.
Went along having brushed up on the relevant tech. Went through the usual interview type questions, asked a few of my own etc.
Then, the more senior guy in the interview asked me straight out "What do you understand of Tea-bagging?"
"WTF?!" I thought... To then twig that he must have spoken to my friend Andy! I told him to give me the job and I'd tell him after the first month
Started two days later which was nice.
st_files said:
WorAl said:
MikeO996 said:
Recently interviewed the ex head of HR of a well known shop chain.
In answer to the question "why do you want this job?" she said "because I don't like my current job and would like a promotion"
- NEXT!
Don't see the problem with that? why do you think he wanted to work for you? because he loves working for someone else, his current company is too god for him and they pay him far too much?In answer to the question "why do you want this job?" she said "because I don't like my current job and would like a promotion"
- NEXT!
Your the exact sort of boss I would hate to work with, you think your company should come first in someone elses life don't you? as long as they work and get their job done whats the problem?
I work for money, not for the pleasure of it.
Edited by WorAl on Tuesday 2nd February 16:36
t your answer to that....t his answer? he said he doesn't like his current job and wants a promotion, i.e. more money, doesn't come across more obvious to me. why else would you leave a company apart from to gain more knowledge?WorAl said:
MikeO996 said:
Recently interviewed the ex head of HR of a well known shop chain.
In answer to the question "why do you want this job?" she said "because I don't like my current job and would like a promotion"
- NEXT!
Don't see the problem with that? why do you think he wanted to work for you? because he loves working for someone else, his current company is too god for him and they pay him far too much?In answer to the question "why do you want this job?" she said "because I don't like my current job and would like a promotion"
- NEXT!
Your the exact sort of boss I would hate to work with, you think your company should come first in someone elses life don't you? as long as they work and get their job done whats the problem?
I work for money, not for the pleasure of it.
Edited by WorAl on Tuesday 2nd February 16:36
WorAl said:
st_files said:
WorAl said:
MikeO996 said:
Recently interviewed the ex head of HR of a well known shop chain.
In answer to the question "why do you want this job?" she said "because I don't like my current job and would like a promotion"
- NEXT!
Don't see the problem with that? why do you think he wanted to work for you? because he loves working for someone else, his current company is too god for him and they pay him far too much?In answer to the question "why do you want this job?" she said "because I don't like my current job and would like a promotion"
- NEXT!
Your the exact sort of boss I would hate to work with, you think your company should come first in someone elses life don't you? as long as they work and get their job done whats the problem?
I work for money, not for the pleasure of it.
Edited by WorAl on Tuesday 2nd February 16:36
t your answer to that....t his answer? he said he doesn't like his current job and wants a promotion, i.e. more money, doesn't come across more obvious to me. why else would you leave a company apart from to gain more knowledge?t....st_files said:
WorAl said:
st_files said:
WorAl said:
MikeO996 said:
Recently interviewed the ex head of HR of a well known shop chain.
In answer to the question "why do you want this job?" she said "because I don't like my current job and would like a promotion"
- NEXT!
Don't see the problem with that? why do you think he wanted to work for you? because he loves working for someone else, his current company is too god for him and they pay him far too much?In answer to the question "why do you want this job?" she said "because I don't like my current job and would like a promotion"
- NEXT!
Your the exact sort of boss I would hate to work with, you think your company should come first in someone elses life don't you? as long as they work and get their job done whats the problem?
I work for money, not for the pleasure of it.
Edited by WorAl on Tuesday 2nd February 16:36
t your answer to that....t his answer? he said he doesn't like his current job and wants a promotion, i.e. more money, doesn't come across more obvious to me. why else would you leave a company apart from to gain more knowledge?t....
oh yeah sorry missed that. At least he wasn't lying though.....maybe I should have brushed up on interview skills 
A few years back this: Looking in the local paper I saw an advert for someone with some electrical knowledge and the ability to drive.
Excellent! I thought, sounds like a case of helping to install or fit a washing machine or TV. Right up my street (as they say).
So, I head off to an industrial estate in Norwich and eventually find the unit. No signs.. odd?
Finally I find this small side door and start to wander up. Get to the top and find a large room with lots of chairs and an OHP.
Odd..No one about so I start to glance at the photos etc. on the wall and to my horror its in interview for KIRBY
Now there is noway on earth I would work for this company (Not sure about now but they had a very bad reputation) so after looking at the mug shots of 'seller of the month' I spot this chap heading in and ask him for the toilet.
'Ah, its just outside half way down the corridor'.
So I head out of the door, down the stair and head off home.
Another time I got stopped by the Police on the way to Norwich for an interview and was about to be arrested as I had borrowed the car but had no documents or anything on me and got stopped because (according to them) I overtook/cut back in on a double white line.
I think the line 'Is this your car' followed by 'NO' tipped it.
When I did finally arrive half way though the interveiw there was a bit of commotion and a chap (it transpired) turned up and ripped the telephone exchange off the wall!
That should have rang some alarm bells as the bloke still owes me £15,000 in wages..
Excellent! I thought, sounds like a case of helping to install or fit a washing machine or TV. Right up my street (as they say).
So, I head off to an industrial estate in Norwich and eventually find the unit. No signs.. odd?
Finally I find this small side door and start to wander up. Get to the top and find a large room with lots of chairs and an OHP.
Odd..No one about so I start to glance at the photos etc. on the wall and to my horror its in interview for KIRBY
Now there is noway on earth I would work for this company (Not sure about now but they had a very bad reputation) so after looking at the mug shots of 'seller of the month' I spot this chap heading in and ask him for the toilet.
'Ah, its just outside half way down the corridor'.
So I head out of the door, down the stair and head off home.
Another time I got stopped by the Police on the way to Norwich for an interview and was about to be arrested as I had borrowed the car but had no documents or anything on me and got stopped because (according to them) I overtook/cut back in on a double white line.
I think the line 'Is this your car' followed by 'NO' tipped it.
When I did finally arrive half way though the interveiw there was a bit of commotion and a chap (it transpired) turned up and ripped the telephone exchange off the wall!
That should have rang some alarm bells as the bloke still owes me £15,000 in wages.
.Edited by Morningside on Tuesday 2nd February 16:49
MikeO996 said:
WorAl said:
MikeO996 said:
Recently interviewed the ex head of HR of a well known shop chain.
In answer to the question "why do you want this job?" she said "because I don't like my current job and would like a promotion"
- NEXT!
Don't see the problem with that? why do you think he wanted to work for you? because he loves working for someone else, his current company is too god for him and they pay him far too much?In answer to the question "why do you want this job?" she said "because I don't like my current job and would like a promotion"
- NEXT!
Your the exact sort of boss I would hate to work with, you think your company should come first in someone elses life don't you? as long as they work and get their job done whats the problem?
I work for money, not for the pleasure of it.
Edited by WorAl on Tuesday 2nd February 16:36
She answered your question honestly, what if she had been at her current job for years and she didn't have a pay rise/promotion since she started, yet had been slogging her guts out? I would be pretty pissed off if in the same boat and would just want out.
Of course she could have been a lying b
ds who could never be trusted and gave you what I said above.I have actually fallen asleep on more than one occasion when interviewing, generally on a Monday. It became such a problem that I would end up with another staff member having to be present and watch for the signs of my oncoming narcoleptic behaviour.
needless to say it never occurred when interviewing prospective barmaids with decent norks
needless to say it never occurred when interviewing prospective barmaids with decent norks
Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff