The Weirdest Questions Ive Been_asked about My Job
The Weirdest Questions I've Been asked about My Job
From special education to recruitment, my career has ranged widely, and with it, the unusual questions I've been asked. In this article, I'll share some of the more perplexing and enlightening questions that have come my way.
Special Education
During my years as a deputy head teacher at a special school for students aged 11-19 with severe and complex learning difficulties, I've encountered rather unsophisticated inquiries about my role and responsibilities. More often than not, the questions stem from a lack of understanding about the unique challenges and processes involved in working with students with special needs.
Some of the more bizarre questions that have caught me off guard include:
‘Do teachers of primary school pupils earn less than teachers of secondary school pupils?’ ‘Are teachers of children with cognitive impairments trained as such, or can anyone teach these students?’ ‘Do teachers work at the same time as their students?’While some people’s curiosity is genuine, others may simply lack the knowledge they need to understand the complexities of special education.
Recruitment
After retiring from education, I took on a role as a recruiter. This professional shift brought about even more peculiar questions. While dealing with payroll and finance concerns, an auditor asked a particularly intriguing and somewhat cryptic question. Here’s how it went:
“Are you aware of anybody being paid more than they are authorised to be paid?”My immediate response was, “Just to clarify, do you want to know if I am knowingly fraudulently overpaying anyone?”
The auditor confirmed, “Yes.”
My clear answer, “No.”
Feeling the need to explain, I inquired, “Do you have any reason to ask that question?”
The auditor explained, “We always ask that question to the Finance Director.”
Further probing led to, “Has anybody ever said yes?”
Upon learning that no one had, my response was, “Funny that.”
Unexpected Cultural Differences in Job Understanding
As someone who straddles different cultural experiences, the differences in understanding and job roles can be quite revealing. For example, when I shared with my parents that I had become a recruiter, it was a concept far removed from their life experiences. My mother, who didn’t have any experience in the corporate world, found it hard to grasp the notion of recruitment.
I attempted to explain time and again, but to no avail. The abstract nature of my new role didn’t resonate with their previous experiences. In contrast, my father-in-law, an IT professional who worked at renowned brands, quickly grasped my job nature and responsibilities.
Conclusion
My career has introduced me to a wide array of questions, some illuminating and others perplexing. These diverse inquiries have not only tested my ability to explain but also offered insights into the varying levels of understanding different people have about different professions.
Engaging with such questions has been both intriguing and enriching, and I hope this article offers a glimpse into the unique experiences that come with my job.