Share your weird job interview stories

My dad went on an interview a couple years back for a job that seemed like a perfect fit for him. He thought the interview was going great. The woman interviewing him was a very proper, neatly attired middle aged lady, and she was showing him around the office after the normal question and answer part of the interview. Then, all of a sudden she let out this very loud, and very smelly fart. My dad ignored it, but she was so embarassed that she instantly became flushed and literally excused herself and went into an office where she let another one rip and was then fanning her butt with a folder. She came back after a minute and said something to the effect of "I'm sorry. I'm so embarassed" and my dad said "That's ok. You don't have to be embarassed." He never heard form that company again. Might have been the perfect job for him and he may have been their perfect candidate, but after that, it just wasn't gonna happen. He suspected that she was so embarassed by the farting incident that she never called him back.

Call back and reassure her he'd forgotten all about the fart? lol

A had an interview a view years back for part-time night work, where the interviewer dumped on me about what a crappy turn his career had taken and how his degree that he worked so hard for wasn't worth crap, and how he felt discouraged and under-appreciated. Obviously he didn't work in PR.

It was me and my supervisor and colleague in a room with this person and the real "interview" was over and it was just kind of banter. Well, she then proceeded to go off on a 10 minute rant about her current boss and how she would like to "punch him in the face," etc. After she left the three of us just looked at one another with our mouths open in disbelief and cracked up.

As for my dad, yeah, there was nothing he could do. I think it would make a good Curb Your Enthusiasm episode.

we spent maybe 2 minutes discussing the job and qualifications, and 20 minutes discussing World Cup soccer.

I got the job.

Or at least have good reason to assume that.

was my dad's division in WWII.

Long boring war story follows:

When I was in spy school, I had these three classmates in particular. One of them was a really nice female staff sergeant who was TDY from the 1st Cavalry Division. Damn if I can remember her name, but she had a very sweet disposition.

The second one was Sergeant Poteat, who had a serious crush on the female staff sergeant. Unfortunately, Sergeant Poteat wasn't the most intelligent individual on Fort Devens.

The third was Sergeant Vogt...whose hobby was fuckin' with Sergeant Poteat.

One day Sergeant Poteat was trying to figure out how to sweet-talk his way into this woman's pants , and Sergeant Vogt told him to talk about her dog. "What dog?" Sergeant Vogt told him that the patch she wore was the patch of the Army Dog Handlers. Apparently there was a worldwide Army Dog Handler Corps, at least according to Sergeant Vogt, and everyone who wore that patch was a dog handler.

Can you believe that stupid motherfucker actually did it?

And can you imagine the look on his face when she told him it was a horse, not a dog?

and it doesn't even look like a fricken' dog, either. I remember the patch underneath that one was a yellow lightning bold on a red shield/background. Funny the shit you remember from what was in the closet as a kid (was actually a REALLY sweet leather jacket that was quite stylish again in the mid 80s)

you should be proud of your dad, they did some great things in WWII.

Someone actually said that to me in an interview once. Needless to say she didn't get the position. Amazing.

I once had an interview where we spent most of the time talking about the hiking I've done. I got the job but was later fired because, well, the guy hired and English major who likes to hike rather than the business major I gather he really wanted. :shrug: I wasn't too sad though, as the guy turned out to be seriously weird.

She might as well have thrown in "I want a job that I actually don't have to show up to also."

a sympathy fart

and thanked her for the opportunity

I work at a radio station. A few years ago I was interviewing for an assistant and was showing one of the candidates around the office and where her desk would be if she got the job. She said it would be fine except that "I can't work with that radio playing all day. I'll have to turn it off." I just looked at her and said, "Um, it's a radio station. You have to listen."

She didn't get the job.

Another candidate, this one male, was working on some sample things I included as part of the interview process and, instead of getting up and coming to my door to ask questions, would just shout them out expecting me to yell the answers back.

He didn't get the job either.

Years ago I made the final cut for a job as the assistant to a township supervisor. The final interview was a panel interview with all the department heads, all of whom were very large, very intimidating men (note: I am a woman). The interview began with the chief of police asking if I would lie for my boss and pressing me on it even after I said no several times, and things quickly went downhill from there. I didn't get it.

and that police chief one is weird. Now I'm curious what township (I'm from MI also). PM me if you are comfortable sharing. If not, that's cool, I understand.

It was Canton Township. About 18 years ago.

And my supervisor at the job was showing me around some files and she let one rip. I totally ignored it and didn't say anything to anyone but I got a call later that day from the temp agency that I was wanted back. Go figure.

Either they appreciate your discretion or they fear you're gonna tell everyone. I guess she imagined/feared my dad joking about it.

Interviewed at Interstate Batteries.

Not sure how familiar you are with them, but they're owned by a born again who solved his drinking problem through Jesus.

The interviewer actually told her that they have prayer meetings a couple times a week (or however often it was...I forget), and asked her if she was a Christian.

My friend is a Jehovah's Witness. She ended the interview not long after that.

IB had a position open again last year, and I was tempted to go interview for it with a tape recorder in my pocket so I could record them asking illegal questions, then sue them for it. But I didn't.

who told a kid I knew who was failing her class that if he got down on his knees and prayed really hard to the Baby Jesus, he might pass. So he did, right in front of her, and I think he got a C.

I was interviewing, and saw a picture of Spike on the VP's bulletin board (this was a market research company, and somewhat stuffy, at that). I asked her if she was a BtVS fan, and we went off on a half-hour discussion of the various plot episodes and characters. Turns out there was a group of 6-8 people in the company who were avid fans, and first thing every Wednesday morning they all gathered at the VPs office to discuss last night's episode.

Turns out the woman I ended up working with (NOT a Buffy fan) was a raging bipolar, and insisted that all her employees attend "The Forum" (next generation of EST). (Note: never refer to your boss's favorite self-help program as "brainwashing", even if it is) and I ended up out of there on my butt within a year.

Stayed in touch with the VP even after I left, though -- she was a good egg.

Ugh. I couldn't stand it.

Once when I was first out of college, a client insisted I attend an EST "preview". I attended, I thought it was crap, and I didn't sign up.

Then this woman insisted, and I told her I wasn't big on brainwashing. Never attended, but didn't get to keep my job, either.

:yoiks: The weirdest interview I ever went on was in 1985, right as I was graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill. I was interviewing with whatever employers would talk to me (had no idea what I wanted to do and the job market was really tight thanks to Ronnie Reagan :grr:). I actually interviewed with the IRS when they came to campus. The job would have been as an IRS agent, with the right to seize property, money, etc., from anyone who was thought to be committing tax fraud. As college seniors, we had been carefully screened to know what kinds of interview questions were illegal (are you married? how old are you? etc.). Well, the recruiter for the IRS asked NOTHING but illegal questions the entire time. I guess he wanted to see how people handled themselves when illegal questions were thrown at them, but I politely deflected them and got through the interview OK. I knew when I left that I did NOT want to work for the IRS in any way, shape, or form.... and I got a call the next week asking me to take the civil service exam. No thanks. :P

I wouldn't want to work for them either.

I wouldn't do it under Bush.

It wasn't that bad. And simply taking the civil service test wouldn't have meant you had to work there. There are plenty of other federal agencies that get your scores. If the IRS called you, you could just politely say no.

Before the last 10 years or so, it was kickass job security. It pretty much took an act of Congress to fire you. You had to screw up PRETTY bad. AND you get federal holidays off!

It was a small office, and this woman told me exactly what she thought of everyone. She expected me to report any infractions or any of my negative opinions to her, so she could record them and push certain people out of the office. :yoiks:


I didn't take that job.

Sure they were popular being hired to be the snitch and all

It was a nonprofit and I still interacted with that office through my eventual job. Extreme turnover and general unprofessionalism.

a morning job interview. There was nothing available to eat near the interview so I purchased some M&M's at a nearby pharmacy. I then realized that I probably had "chocolate teeth" and that wouldn't look so hot for the interview. I then had the brainstorm to buy some PLAXX to "rinse away" the chocolate, except after I started sloshing the stuff around in my mouth, um, I had no where to spit it out. I had to swallow the stuff. ****Yeach**** Um, there's a whole lot of alcohol in Plaxx. Needless to say, I didn't get the job. I probably had chocolate teeth and reeked of alcohol. :rofl:

:7

The position was for sales as an independent contractor. I get there and everywhere there are 'jim gibbons country' signs. Bad sign, no pun intended, to start. So I'm in the interview, dude is nice enough, offers me the job and asks me on a scale of one to ten how do I feel, I told him five. He does not give up. So I ask him, well I need to see a contract in writing detailing pay etc. Here is what he says, its been a while so I'm paraphrasing.

"We don't have a contract, this may sound strange but we base our decisions on PRAYER, so we don't have contracts. We are 'good' people.

Um sure dude, whatever, I left in a jiffy

How about we put it in writing and every other Friday, you'd better pray you have enough to pay what you owe me.

:P (see my post #14)

in the early 80's. I had resumes out all over New Orleans and was working as a roofer to make ends meet. I knew the people who owned the house we were roofing and my roomate called them to tell them to tell me this firm called and wanted me to come down there in an hour for an interview.

I showed up at an upscale firm on St. Charles in jeans and a flannel shirt smelling like shingles and sweat and I explained to the interviewer that I had just left a roofing job to come down there and that I had to come as I was because I didn't have time to go home and clean up. He seen that I was from Tennessee and promptly accused me of running from the law. When I finally had him convinced that I was in New Orleans looking for work he then said, "Did you leave a girl in a bad way back in Tennessee son?"

I told him that I was very good at what I did but he would never know about it because he was too pre-occupied with why I was in New Orleans instead of actually checking my work out. I also told him that I left Tennessee to better myself and that I was too good to work for him. I let him know that I didn't appreciate being belittled and harassed by someone that had no clue as to who I was or what kind of person I was. I then told him that professional people do not call their applicants and tell them to come down in an hour for an interview. I then got up and left.

I went to a job interview working for the WBB program. I fit everything in the job description so I got an interview. I answered no or none to the first 12 questions which were the make or break questions of the interview. I got so fed up with the harsh treatment by a couple of the interviewers that I told them that I had season tickets to the biggest rival this program has and that I drive back there two times a week at least. The coach HATES!!! this other program with a white hot passion of a thousand suns. She hates that they draw more fans every game she despises the other coach etc etc. There was a visible gasp on the 9 faces in front of me.
I preceded to interviewed myself for about 10 minutes detailing all the stuff that they wanted (and was in the job description) and then said if you need someone to write job descriptions let me know.
My wife who as 8 1/2 months pregnant was so psyched about this interview she nearly had the baby after I told her I HAVE ZERO SHOT AT THIS JOB!

I would venture to guess this coach tells my interview story all the time. I finally had the balls to do and say what I felt. WTF I had 490 hrs of vacation and I was planning on spending three months with the first kid. I went to an interview the next day and got a job.

I had several interviews with various corporations in the area.

On one interview, the woman - a reasonably attractive woman in her mid 30s - in Human Resources asked me, "What turns NewJeffCT on?"

Now what do you think went through the mind of a 22 year old male when a woman said that to him?

But, I paused for a couple of seconds to gather my thoughts and said, "Challenges" and gave her an example of that.

I thought it was a good recovery, but I didn't get the job.

Women in HR turn me on

Or, women in positions of power

Or... well, you get the idea.

This was an administrative position. She is not Catholic. That was the first questions they asked her. Half of the rest of the interview was spent determining if she had sufficient knowledge of Catholicism, respect for the Catholic Church, and was aquainted with enough Catholics in good standing to get the job. She must have had good enough Catholic credentials because they offered her the job.
I don't know if the questions were illegal since they asked about religion or were alright since it was a religious organization.

I did not tell them how terrible I was feeling, but I am sure that it was evident. I did not get any of these jobs.
Luckily, I was able to get though the two interviews for my current job that I got this last summer alright. I thought that it was weird that I did not meet my superviser nor was anything said about him until I said that I would take the job, at which point I was shown my work area and my superviser was pointed out and told that I would be starting in two weeks.

Bet that got your attention, huh?

During my Senior year in college, my then-boyfriend's mother and I found out there was a teaching position and a teacher's aide position at a Montessori school. We gathered our resumes and headed over there. When we arrived, we took note that the school was extremely dirty. There was cat food in bowls covered with ants. There were no children, although this was a mid-week morning and not during a holiday, either. We entered the office and again noticed the disheveled mess. The only Montessori person there was this older woman who was pacing back and forth behind the counter. A bit odd, but no red flags had gone up at this point, but oh, if only I could look into the future. One other young girl was sitting there, filling out an application. She looked a bit nervous. We entered and asked for the person my then-boyfriend's mother had spoken to on the phone. The woman behind the counter (now to be referred to as The Woman) said that there as no such person and handed us the applications.

Now, these applications were very poorly photocopied and extremely difficult to read. My then-boyfriend's mother asked me what something said since it didn't copy well on her application. The Woman said "NO TALKING! If you can't read the application, you can't work here." My then-boyfriend's mother replied "Mine did not copy well." The Woman jerked the paper out of her hand. My then-boyfriend's mother said "I want to see " The other young girl who was there to fill out an application took hers, shoved it in her purse and literally ran out the door. The Woman pushed right past us and locked the front door- and out only means of escape- and took the key. She then closed the blinds of the small office. She went behind the counter and picked up the phone. "Hello. Yes, I'd like to report trespassers who refuse to leave."

Yep. She called the cops.

We were in shock. She next began rummaging through the drawers. The way she was behaving made us think she might just shoot us. How were we to know? I didn't know what to do, so I called the police and reported that she wouldn't let us leave. If she called the police on us, why shouldn't I call them on her?

While waiting for the police, she decided to be out new best friend. She offered us water and a comfortable chair. I assumed the water had cyanide and refused it. The chair? No way. I wanted to be able to run.

Before the police arrived, she finally unlocked the door. We ran out. The police arrived.

They questioned my then-boyfriend's mother and me outside and The Woman inside. All the police took time questioning us. They were concerned- but for us. They also noted the mess, the ants in the cat food and the general lack of stability The Woman displayed. And, much to the chagrin of us and the police, The Woman insisted on placing us under Citizen's Arrest. The police actually didn't try to talk her out of this. Her Citizen's Arrest would cause an investigation, which, they indicated, would turn on her rather than us. We didn't have a choice in the matter, so she actually came out, smiled, said hi and asked how we were doing. You can imagine how everyone was looking at her.

After it was over, the cops all gave us their cards and said if we ever saw the inside of a courtroom, give them a call. They would all testify on our behalf.

A month later, I called the DA to find out the status. He said that we were in the clear but our new friend, The Woman, wasn't so lucky. I called one of the cops to let them know. They were actually questioned in the investigation and this woman is no longer at that Montessori school or any school.

So, my "arrest" actually benefited society. And boy, does it make a great story!




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I have some very interesting job stories that are just too unbelievable to keep to myself.


An Employment Agency once placed me with a new client of theirs. The contract between the Employment Agency and their clients guaranteed satisfaction within the first 30 days or it's free (otherwise, the employer has to pay 10% of my salary to the Employment Agency as a placement fee.) As it turns out, two employees quit and I was brought in to replace two people. There was the President, a secretary and me. It was an extremely small office- and the President wasn't there most of the time. I have absolutely no idea where she was, but it sure wasn't at work.

At the end of the third week, the employment agency began calling the small office, asking why their bill had not been paid yet (the money for me was owed to them within 7 days of placement.) At the end of that week, suddenly, two interns came in. As you can guess, on day 29, I was fired. I drove straight to the Employment Agency to let them know. They were shocked. After making some phone calls to other employment agencies, they discovered that this is something she has done all over town. In fact, no other employment agencies would do business with her. Many had joined in on a lawsuit regarding fraud and some other stuff. I got to give a written deposition. She got sued, but I still didn't have a job.

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Right before Winter Break, I was asked to interview for a position teaching a TOFEL class and running Language Lab at a post-secondary academy for foreign students. Although it is not an actual college campus, the classes transfer for credit. I interviewed and got the job. I have been waiting for a phone call to let me know my schedule. Finally, I called today. The office manager, who has spoken with me extensively, took my paperwork and said she'd call me now says she has no idea who I am or what I want.

My guess is that the office manager lost my paperwork is just thinks if she ignores me, I will go away. She might have told the direct anything to let her think I'm no longer interested. I have never had such an experience in my life. But, I'm glad the insanity is up front and not later.

I have asked to speak to the director, but I can't seem to get around this Office manager. So, today I wrote a letter and went to the post office. I have sent this letter with a restriction that the letter be given directly to the Director and only she is allowed to sign for it. If she is not there after so many attempts, she must come to the post office and sign for it. It cost me about $8 for all this, but it is important that she know there is insanity in her office.

Here is the letter:






Dr. XXXX,

I have become quite perplexed over recent events. I’ve called the main office to find out my schedule at the Language Institute and can not seem to find it out. Classes are beginning and I still do not know when the TOFEL class and Language Labs begin.

In December, I was asked in for an interview with you. At the interview, you said there is a TOFEL class and a Language Lab I could teach, along with private lessons. I agreed to this. You next took me to the front office to gather some additional paperwork. You said when I returned the paperwork, either J---- or N------ (I am unsure of the correct spelling of your office worker’s names) would go over time cards and other office business with me in addition to having the schedule available at that time.

On December 20th, I brought the paperwork to the office and gave it to Josie. At that time, I was told I would receive a phone call prior to December 26th letting me know what my schedule at the would be.

I never received that call. After the new year, I still had not received that call.

On Thursday, January 4th, I called the main office. Josie seemed to have no idea who I was or what I wanted, even though just prior to the Winter Break on December 20th, she had taken my paperwork and said she’d be calling me. She then said she’d need to speak with you, as you were in a meeting at the time. Shortly thereafter, she called me back and said that when a positioned opened, you would be happy to let me know. This is all she would say and was quite silent on the phone. I found this to be odd, as in the past she was very friendly with me.

I am simply trying to know what my schedule at the is so I can begin. I have also sent you an email regarding this matter. The email was sent on January 4th.

I look forward to speaking with you soon.




And, I'm not saying this in the letter, but I have no desire to work for this place. Ever. Even if the Office Manager loses her job over this, it gives me the sense that the director has no idea what is going on around her office and that isn't ok with me.







As you can see, I have a way of attracting the nuttiest people and getting myself in the oddest of situations.

I think some of the craziness comes from living in a very large metropolitan. Los Angeles isn't called La La Land for no reason. With everyone all smooshed up, some people are bound to snap and go crazy. My particular talent is being able to find these people. if I could find a way to market this skill, I'd be a millionaire.

The arrest story is one of my favorites. Unfortunately, I didn't get to ride in the back of a police car or get put in handcuffs. A Citizen's Arrest amounts to some wacko on the street reading you your rights when the cops refuse to arrest you. It does go into an investigation, but if the cops aren't going to arrest you, very rarely does the investigators find you at fault and charge you with anything.

But saying "I was arrested at a job interview once" sure is a great opener to a story. Especially if you could see me. I'm this petite little school teacher. Hardly the image of someone who would find themselves arrested at a job interview. :)

Weird, huh?

:-)

who liked to throw in totally screwball questions and ask them in a Leslie Neilsen deadpan.

"If you had to spend to two weeks in a full body cast with another person, who would it be?"

He really liked oddball employees, so this was probably the question that made or broke your interview.

She was a completely fake person, so I never knew how to respond. And her questions were always gross, involving vomit, eating it, and other bodily fluids. She was awkward. She had only taught for two years and was named principal of the private school I was teaching at. I had taught twice as long as she had. It was weird, to say the least. This was her way of being cool... I guess...

I interviewed with the first one. He had on a white shirt, dark tie, sleeves rolled up, cigar clamped between teeth, a typical RepCon. I was a VietVet, married, three kids, attending a Junior College, and had five years in a municipal Fire Department. I explained I had decided if I was going to be exposed to industrial hazards I'd just as well be employed at one. He asked why I had not applied in my home town, which was also industrial. I took a chance, lowered my voice and "confided" I had, but they were hiring mostly minorities at that time. He bought it hook, line, and sinker! He assured me my records looked very good to him, but first I had to talk to the other interviewer.
I swear to Dog, the other interviewer's first name was Bruce, and he was a stereotype. He mentioned he had to get some more files, but would be right back. I scoped out his bookshelf closely. "Psychology of the African Nations" appeared well-thumbed, as were other books on Psychology and education. As he sat back down I asked him what their policy was on employees continuing their education. I told him I was acing all my courses and wanted to get my associates degree, then continue. Oh, he assured me they'd work with me on that!
They called me that afternoon to come in for a physical.