Interview Anxiety: Funny but Frustrating Questions in Job Interviews

Job interviews can be nerve-wracking, but the questions you encounter can sometimes be both unexpected and amusing. Here are some truly bizarre and irrelevant questions shared by experienced job seekers, highlighting the often unpredictability of the interview process.

1. The Secretarial Job With a Bizarre Request

One interviewee was asked, 'Can you give a blowjob?' during an interview for a secretarial position with a sales/marketing firm in London. Shocked, the job seeker replied, 'Unnecessary and inappropriate.' Feeling compelled to quit the interview, they walked out and were not offered the position. While the situation was bewildering, the candidate refrained from reporting the incident due to being new to the UK.

2. The Ridiculous Question of the Day

Another interviewee faced an interview where they were asked, 'Why did you come to this interview?' The question caught them off guard, and they responded with a mix of frustration and humor. They had arrived 15 minutes early in nice clothes, groomed, and clean-shaven, but this question made them question the entire interview's purpose. They replied, 'The interview was scheduled at this location for today at 9 am so I can discuss potential employment.' The interviewer's response did nothing to reassure them, and they ultimately turned down the job offer. It was clear that the interviewer might not be a good fit.

3. The LSAT Score: An Anachronism

Even lawyers, who are often associated with rigorous testing, might not expect to be asked about their LSAT score during a job interview. One job seeker for a position in video software engineering was quizzed with, 'What was your LSAT score?' The LSAT, a test for law school admission, is irrelevant to the candidate's ability to interpret the law. It highlights the interviewer's lack of understanding of the candidate's background and the role's requirements.

4. The Manhole Cover Riddle

A job interview for a software engineering role in video software elicited an unusually complex question: 'Why are manhole covers round?' The candidate provided the usual responses about rollability and safety, but then added their own reasoning about the structural integrity of round shapes compared to square ones. While the candidate expected a straightforward engineering answer, the interviewer's surprise indicated a fundamental misunderstanding of the job or the candidate's capabilities.

Conclusion

Job interviews can be unpredictable, and encountering strange or irrelevant questions is not uncommon. However, these experiences can provide valuable insights into the interviewers' understanding of the role and their candidates. For the job seeker, the key is to maintain professionalism and humor while staying focused on the true essence of the job and the company's culture.