Funny Interview Answers

[TalonRider]

Funny Interview Answers

by Roberta Chinsky Matuson

Monster Contributing Writer

Every now and then, Monster members email us some funny stories related to the hiring process. We think you will agree that these tales are well worth sharing. If you think you've heard it all, read on.

I interviewed a gentleman for a television field technician position. His background did not reflect any type of experience in electronics or televisions. I asked him if he had ever taken the back off of a TV and actually seen the inside.

His response was this, "Are you kidding? It's dangerous back there!" Needless to say, he did not get the position.

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I once asked a candidate if there was anything he did not like to do, expecting an answer related to the computer programming position he was applying for. After much debate, he answered, "I don't like to clean my bathtub."

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Upon assisting in viewing some applications for warehouse assistants on a previous job, I came across an interesting response. Under the ethnic race section, the applicant checked the "other" box and had written in Human. A very unique answer indeed. That individual was hired for the position.

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I was hiring for a collector position and received a resume with the following as the candidate's Goals and Objectives:

"I want to be successful as everyone does, but I want to kick it up a knotch (his misspell) and be VERY successful and become #1 in everything when it comes to professional, family, and personal way of life."

You want to be VERY successful? Why didn't you tell me before? What a novel goal in life. Does Emeril know you are using his phrase? Thanks for your time -- next!

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When a prospective employee tested positive for his drug screen, we called him to inform him that he was not eligible for hire. His response was, "I smoked pot three weeks ago at a party and didn't think it would show, but now it should be OK. Can I take it again?"

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Several years ago, my place of business was located at 140 West 51st St. in New York City. A job applicant set up an appointment for an interview but cancelled the day before because he was not feeling well. Fair enough. We rescheduled the appointment for 10:30 a.m. a few days later. On the scheduled day, he called around 10 a.m. to say he was stuck in traffic and would be a little late. Again, fair enough.

At about 10:45, he called to say he would be even later, because he went by mistake to 1240 West 51st St. instead of 140 West 51st St.

I could not resist asking him, "How's the water today?" He seemed puzzled, until I explained that there is no such address as 1240 West 51st St., because the last address before the Hudson River is in the 1100s. He then confessed that he simply had overslept. He was admittedly a very creative fellow and perhaps was a good swimmer, but given the lack of honesty, we went on to the next applicant.

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We had a gentleman come in one day and fill out an application for employment. When he reached the part of the application asking, "Have you ever committed a crime? If yes, please explain," he responded with the following answer: "Yes -- a Mr. Meanor." Needless to say, it was the highlight of our day.

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As an HR manager, I was reviewing an application for a construction worker. Under "Ever convicted of a felony?" the applicant wrote "Breaking and entering." Under "Any other special skills?" Applicant wrote "Good with hand tools." No kidding.

[Cole Parker]

Funny Interview Answers

I was hiring for a collector position and received a resume with the following as the candidate's Goals and Objectives:

"I want to be successful as everyone does, but I want to kick it up a knotch (his misspell) and be VERY successful and become #1 in everything when it comes to professional, family, and personal way of life."

You want to be VERY successful? Why didn't you tell me before? What a novel goal in life. Does Emeril know you are using his phrase? Thanks for your time -- next!

Does anyone else have a problem here as I do? I'm not sure what a "collector position" is and what the requirements for it are, but she's disqualifying the applicant because he's overly enthusiastic? Because to show his enthusiasm he uses an expression he's heard and can relate to? I found when I'd hire people, enthusiasm, if real, was a desirable trait, not something to be discarded quite so easily. Just because he used someone else's expression to evince his enthusiasm is not a reason to disqualify him. In my thinking at least.

C

[TalonRider]

Bear in mind, the writer of this article is a Contributing Writer to Monster dot com and not necessarily an interviewer.

As for the 'Collector position', I'm assuming, and you know what they say about assume, the position would be that of a bill collector. Some of those people can be real Aholes. I dealt with one once and do you think the jerk apologized for his mistake? He was calling to see where my checks were. Had he checked my file BEFORE he called, I don't think he would have called. He didn't check until he called me, at which point he said they arrived that day. Then he hung up.

Jan

[colinian]

Upon assisting in viewing some applications for warehouse assistants on a previous job, I came across an interesting response. Under the ethnic race section, the applicant checked the "other" box and had written in Human.

What a great response! I agree 100%.

Colin