How to Answer Stupid Job Interview Questions _ LinkedIn

17
Tweet 353 272 Our client Angela went on a job interview. "It's supposed to be a Marketing Manager job, but they sure talk a lot about graphic design in the job ad," said Angie. "And the job's been posted on the company website for six months." Angie went to the interview and sat in a lobby for half an hour. A nice woman came to get her and deposited her in a small interviewing room. A not-as-nice lady came in and started grilling Angie with questions, taking notes as Angie spoke (no eye contact - all business!). "Tell me about your experience with Adobe Illustrator." "Tell me how much you know about InDesign." "Tell me what you know about search engines." Wait a second, thought Angie. Something is off - this lady is just reading questions from a script. She doesn't know how the pieces fit together. She doesn't know anything about this job! Angie is a marketer, not a graphic designer. She knows tons about search engines, but none of what she knows would have impressed her interviewer, who kept her eyes glued to her notepad and scribbled furiously throughout the interview. "May I ask a question?" asked Angie finally. "Sure," said the lady. Liz's Recent Posts I Hate My Job, But I Need the Money March 6, 2014 How to Get a Job -- No Matter What! March 3, 2014 Top Posts Liz Ryan How to Answer Stupid Job Interview Questions 167,225 views Don Norman Stupid Smart Stuff 22,594 views Jeff Weiner Random Acts of Kindness? There Should be an App for That 11,761 views Nicholas Fang The High Cost of Singapore Living? 11,517 views Nancy Lublin My 9 Year Old Daughter Went to School Without a Shirt. 4,289 views 96 Posts 139,921 followers Follow Liz Ryan CEO and Founder, Human Workplace How to Answer Stupid Job Interview Questions March 08, 2014 167,225 2,712 818 1.5k Like Share 8,046 See all Today This Week All See more More Influencers Follow Dan Sanker President & CEO at CaseStack, Inc. Home Profile Network Jobs Interests Business Services Upgrade 2 Search articles...

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Transcript of How to Answer Stupid Job Interview Questions _ LinkedIn

Page 1: How to Answer Stupid Job Interview Questions _ LinkedIn

Tweet 353 272

Our client Angela went on a job interview.

"It's supposed to be a Marketing Manager job, but they sure talk a lot about graphic design in

the job ad," said Angie. "And the job's been posted on the company website for six months."

Angie went to the interview and sat in a lobby for half an hour. A nice woman came to get her

and deposited her in a small interviewing room. A not-as-nice lady came in and started grilling

Angie with questions, taking notes as Angie spoke (no eye contact - all business!).

"Tell me about your experience with Adobe Illustrator."

"Tell me how much you know about

InDesign."

"Tell me what you know about search engines."

Wait a second, thought Angie. Something is off - this lady is just reading questions from a

script. She doesn't know how the pieces fit together. She doesn't know anything about this

job!

Angie is a marketer, not a graphic designer. She knows tons about search engines, but none

of what she knows would have impressed her interviewer, who kept her eyes glued to her

notepad and scribbled furiously throughout the interview.

"May I ask a question?" asked Angie finally. "Sure," said the lady.

Liz's Recent Posts

I Hate My Job, But I Need the

Money

March 6, 2014

How to Get a Job -- No Matter

What!

March 3, 2014

Top Posts

Liz Ryan

How to Answer Stupid Job

Interview Questions

167,225 views

Don Norman

Stupid Smart Stuff

22,594 views

Jeff Weiner

Random Acts of Kindness?

There Should be an App for That

11,761 views

Nicholas Fang

The High Cost of Singapore

Living?

11,517 views

Nancy Lublin

My 9 Year Old Daughter Went to

School Without a Shirt.

4,289 views

96 Posts 139,921 followers FollowLiz RyanCEO and Founder, Human Workplace

How to Answer Stupid Job Interview Questions

March 08, 2014 167,225 2,712 818

1.5kLike Share 8,046

See all

Today This Week All

See more

More Influencers

Follow

Dan Sanker

President & CEO at CaseStack, Inc.

Home Profile Network Jobs Interests Business Services Upgrade

2Search articles...

Page 2: How to Answer Stupid Job Interview Questions _ LinkedIn

"This job has been open for a while," said

Angie. "What would you say is the reason it's

taken some time to find the right person?"

"I'm choosy," said the interviewer, and that

was that.

Angie never heard from the company again,

but she hadn't waited around after the

interview, either. She could see in a flash that

no one with spark and self-esteem would

thrive in that company. As far as I know, that

job is still open.

A job search is a test of your fortitude. The

struggling economy doesn't make it easy,

and an even bigger challenge is the

dysfunctional recruiting process used by

nearly every medium-sized and large

employer.

I want you to keep in mind that it's not you -

the system itself is broken beyond repair.

You are fine. It's the combination of talent-

repelling job ads, Black Hole application

systems, and thoughtless, soul-crushing

interview processes that make a job search

so hard on your emotions.

The good news is that slowly, the tide is

turning. I've been writing about putting a

human voice in business for twenty years,

but since we put a name and mission to the

the Human Workplace cause in 2012, the

pace of change toward a mojo-fueled work

world has accelerated dramatically.

These days, we get as many inquiries in our office from employers looking to boost the mojo

level in their organizations as we do from job-seekers looking for Human Workplaces to join.

Still, you can't assume that when you go on a job interview, your interviewers will be as

Human Workplace-aware as you are. They may be just the opposite, like Miss Choosy in our

story above.

They may ask you idiotic interview questions and

work hard to make the relationship "I'm in charge -

you're dogmeat" abundantly clear throughout your

interview conversation.

When you're asked a foolish, irrelevant question on a job interview, it's hard to know how to

respond. Do you answer the question sincerely, ironically, or a mix or the two? Is it best to

play the part of the The Good Little Interviewee and give no sign that your time is being wasted

and your IQ is seeping out through your ears?

If you play that part too well, you may get hired into a job that will suck your life force away. So

what do you do, when the brainless interview questions start flying?

Here's our guide to stupid interview questions, to bookmark and pull out before your next job

Page 3: How to Answer Stupid Job Interview Questions _ LinkedIn

interview.

1. If you were an animal, what kind ofanimal would you be?

This question is so pointless and by extension,

insulting (Do you have a job opening to fill or not?

Why would you use our precious time together

asking me fanciful kindergarten questions?) that it's

a red flag.

Either this firm lets its interviewers ask any random

questions they want on a job interview, or they've

actually talked about it and decided this question is

worth asking. Either way, if a fresh-faced baby

interviewer or HR screener asks

you this question, I'd hate for you to

get up and leave before you've

made it to the hiring manager, the

person who has the Business Pain

we came to learn about.

(If your hiring manager asks you

this question, you have my

permission to get up and leave.

Just say "Oh, look at the time! So

sorry, I forgot that I have an

appointment in eight minutes.

Lovely to meet you, though!") Hit the road, and go get yourself a nice gelato.

You might want to answer this way: "I'd be an ebola virus, and infect your competitors!" but I

fear your interviewer wouldn't pick up on the satire. Better to answer the question with a short

answer and then ask your own question, like this:

INTERVIEWER: If you were an animal, what kind of animal would you be?

YOU: Hmmm, probably some kind of wild cat, like a jaguar - I enjoy the hunt. Can I ask you a

question about that?

INTERVIEWER: Er- sure!

YOU: I'm always interested in the interview questions that

companies ask. Is that your own addition to the company's

interview script, or does everyone here use that question? I'll

bet you hear some fascinating answers!

A human being in the chair across from you will enjoy telling

you about all the wild and domestic animals s/he's met on

past interviews. If your interviewer can't handle unscripted

conversation and looks panicked at your question, you can

just say "That's okay! We can talk about that later."

During your job search, you'll decide whether and how far to

push the frame "I'm the interviewer -- I ask the questions, and

you answer them!" over and over again. I encourage you, if you haven't done it already, to try a

meta-question like "I'm curious how that question helps you make better hires?" if you can ask

it with a smile on your face.

I understand that if you've recently endured a string of interviews studded with stupid interview

questions, that smile could be hard to maintain.

2. With all the talented candidates, whyshould we hire you?

This interview question comes from the genre called "How badly do you want it?" that still

plagues corporations and institutions decades after we all realized that the most-grovelly

applicants don't make the best hires. We still love to test job-seekers on their DESIRE for the

job, asking insulting questions like this.

I hate this interview question, because it asks a job-seeker to do two awful things. First, the

Page 4: How to Answer Stupid Job Interview Questions _ LinkedIn

question asks a job-seeker to assume a supplicant position

and beg for the job. Secondly, it asks a person to compare

him- or herself to people s/he's never met and likely never

will.

Here's how you can handle this one:

INTERVIEWER: With all the talented candidates, why

should we hire you?

YOU: Great question, and I think that's really the point of our

conversation today -- to determine whether I'm the person

for the job and whether this is the job for me. It might be that

you should hire me. I love this field and I'm excited to keep

growing muscles in it. That being said, I haven't met the

other candidates and I'm sure there are smart and capable

people in that group. That's going to be your challenge, to consider what's ahead for you and

which person can best fill that role. I have total faith that if we're supposed to be working

together, we'll figure that out.

3. What's your greatest weakness?

This question comes down from our Puritan

forefathers, who saw life as a joyless quest to

surmount personal deficiencies and

weaknesses. Cheery vision, right?

I reject the view that people have weaknesses.

People come in a fascinating array of types,

and part of the fun of being alive is that we get

to figure out where we shine and maneuver

ourselves into that spot.

The old idea of weaknesses-to-correct is giving

way to the new idea 'figure out what you love to

do, and do it all the time.' Who has time to work

and work to get slightly better at things we'll

never love and never be great at?

I recommend that you handle this horrendous

question this way:

INTERVIEWER: What's your greatest weakness?

YOU: Great question! I used to obsess about my weaknesses when I was younger. I took

classes and read books like you wouldn't believe, and then over time it occurred to me that I

should be focusing on the things I do well, like designing financial reports. Other things --

graphic design, for instance - aren't for me, so I steer myself toward the work that jazzes me

and where I can make the biggest impact.

4. Where do you see yourself in fiveyears?

Really, are people still hearing this ancient interview

question in 2014? Yep, interviewers still pull out this

lame Mad Men era question and ask it, so you've got

to be prepared. The truth is that no one can make a

five-year-horizon career plan in 2014 (maybe the

Pope - and maybe not even him).

This may have been a great question to ask when

The Beverly Hillbillies was filming new episodes.

Today, it's a waste of interview airtime, but you still

have to answer it.

Try this approach:

INTERVIEWER: Where do you see yourself in five years?

YOU: I love Finance, and I don't have plans to move out of it but then again you never know

what influences will hit you. I'm interested in getting my MBA, so five years from now I could

Page 5: How to Answer Stupid Job Interview Questions _ LinkedIn

be one year out of school and I may think totally differently at that point than I do now. The

things I can say for sure are that if I'm alive five years from now, I'll be working hard at

something I love and supporting the people around me. For me, the team is as important as

the work.

What interview questions should replace these stupid, oldones?

When you get into your new job and start interviewing

people yourself, what questions will you ask them? When

you adopt the Interviewing with a Human Voice approach,

you won't ask lame interview questions like the ones on our

list. You'll ask job-seekers to bring their questions to the job

interview instead, and invite them to go first, asking

questions of you to start the interview.

You'll learn much more about your candidates from the

questions they ask you than you ever would from their

answers!

Once the applicant's questions are exhausted, here are

some questions an interviewer can pose:

1) Given what you know about our company and this role so far -- and this is your chance to

ask me anything you want to know, by the way -- what would you see as the most likely goals

for the new hire in this position, over the next six months?

2) Here's what we're dealing with in Tech Support. (Explain your situation.) What would your

approach to that set of conditions be? What would be your attack plan, if you got this job?

3) How does this job mesh with your career plan for yourself?

How will it grow your flame?

Job interviews can be fun and enriching for everyone involved --

and they should be!

When we interview folks at Human Workplace, we tell them

"This is a job interview, and potentially a coaching session. We

have an opening to fill and you might be interested in that job,

but that is just our starting point. If this isn't the right job for you,

let's talk about you and your career instead." Sometimes, candidates say "I'm not sure I want

this job, but I wanted to meet you guys." We say "Cool! We had booked the time anyway. It's

great to meet you."

Fifty percent of our interviews veer into career coaching and that's absolutely wonderful. After

all, a job is just a job. Your flame is everything!

Our company is called HumanWorkplace. Our mission is to reinventwork for people!

We help job-seekers grow their flames and get

great jobs with employers that deserve their

talents. We help employers brand themselves

and reinvent their recruiting processes to snag

and keep smart and capable people and we

help them grow the Team Mojo on their teams.

We invite everyone to step into the Human

Workplace. We launched in November 2012

and have over 200,000 members already. You

can join us, too!

Here is Liz Ryan's podcast "I Hate This Job, But I Need the Money!"

Send our CEO Liz Ryan a LinkedIn invitation: use this email address --

Page 6: How to Answer Stupid Job Interview Questions _ LinkedIn

Posted by:

Follow

Liz Ryan

(139,921) See all Liz's posts

[email protected].

Please FOLLOW us on LinkedIn!

Our Get a Job No Matter What Starter Kit includes four of our most popular job-search ebooks

in a special discounted bundle ($40.84 of eBooks for $6.89)!

Or Get a Job No Matter What MEGA Package has a massive amount of job-search advice

and instruction (including a 65-page online course, Put a Human Voice in Your Resume) that

we sell individually for $298, on sale for $99!

Our new 12-week virtual coaching groups beginning March 22, 2014 are:

Get a Job No Matter What Boot Camp

Interviewing with MOJO

Launch Your Consulting Business

Job Search after Fifty

Reinvention Roadmap, and

Grow Your Thought Leadership Flame

Our 12-week virtual coaching groups are super-popular, flame-growing guided self-study

programs. Each week in one our 12-week virtual coaching groups, you'll receive a new lesson

with exercises (like the exercise "Your So-Called Weakness" above) to work on as it suits

your schedule throughout the week. You'll ask questions of the Human Workplace coaches

and your fellow participants and share your "Ahas!" as you go. Got a question for us? Reach

us here!

Featured on: Recruiting & Hiring

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Page 7: How to Answer Stupid Job Interview Questions _ LinkedIn

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Gary Clarke

CEO & Startup Leader | Software | SaaS | CleanTech

I once had the animal question tossed at me. My reply? "I'm a Chetah. Watch how fast I leave.

I stood up. Collected my pen and left.

Like(750) Reply(28) 1 day ago

Donna Natalie Bodden, stefan lee, Eric Nguyen Duc Hieu, +747

28 Replies

Andy Roy Sian

Manager, Business Intelligence and Data Management Unit at Commercial

Services Division, Malaysia Airports

Gotta teach them some lessons once in a while right Gary? :-D

Like 31 minutes ago

Wedad Taher

Supervisora del departamento de Reservas en Cairo Marriott Hotel

Very smart and quick reaction :)

Like 31 minutes ago

Show More

Sarah Stout

Talent Acquisition Manager at Raising Canes Ohio Limited

There is a point to asking someone what kind if animal they would be and why.

It throws them off. You can see how someone responds to a non-job question. How quickly

someone gets upset. I find the people that get upset by this question have a hard time thinking

quickly and aren't as good with people when they have a "bigger" task at hand. I interview

people in customer service that get asked "stupid" questions every day while under pressure.

How long it takes someone to respond. How creative they answer and if they can have fun with

it.

We have fun at work and managers need to be creative problem solvers.

Maybe it depends on the job. Now, this hasn't and never will be a go to question. It only comes

out every now and then when needed. Plus, I wouldn't be thrown off by a follow up question by

an interviewee. I invite them.

Like(74) Reply(33) 1 day ago

Benjamin Samson, Renee Mastalerz - CHRP, John R. Peck, +71

33 Replies

Michael Estoy

Exploring strategic roles leading to Product Owner / Consultant | Nonprofit

Boards and Management

I was asked this question for an internship. I responded with, "I'd be a human being

since the job description states I'll be working with people from different

departments. Has the job description changed?"

My answer stunned the hiring manager as she sat there in silence for a few

seconds and then said, "I'm sorry, it's one of the questions I'm used to asking."

Page 8: How to Answer Stupid Job Interview Questions _ LinkedIn

I replied, "Well, what exactly are you trying to learn by asking me what kind of

animal I would be?"

From there, the interview went off script and snapped her out of that nonsense. She

was tentative in her questions, but I helped her by asking her leading questions.

She offered me the internship at the end of the interview and we had a great

working relationship. She's told me she's revamped her interviewing techniques and

questions so that she can see the potential intern as a person rather than "a pawn

in a chess match."

Like(4) 47 minutes ago

Suzanna Kiraly, Joe C., Stephen Dunn, PMP, +1

Doug Robertson

Key Account Manager at TFB & Associates Limited

Seriously??

Like(1) 48 minutes ago

Gracie M.

Show More

Geoff Dench ☆LION☆ IT Test Manager

UAT and Live Proving/Live Confidence Test Manager at Barclaycard

Interviewer "so what is your greatest weakness?"

Candidate "honesty"

Interviewer "I don't think that's a weakness is it?"

Candidate " I don't give a $#%€ what you think!"

Like(179) Reply(8) 1 day ago

Shehd A., Mohamad Shahrizal Mohd Ismail, Peter Caffin, +176

8 Replies

Jennifer Sporer

Administrative Assistant at University of Michigan Health System,

Comprehensive Cancer Center

Too funny! I have to share that one with my MIL who retired from HR.

Like 2 hours ago

Philip H. West, LCSW

Substance Abuse Clinician at Southwest Community Health Center

HA HA HA!

Like 3 hours ago

Show More

Jane Emerson (Walker)

Owner, Emerson House,

How very true and interesting. This is why I have never in my long self employed career placed

an advert to find someone. I knew that this worked for me and my business. I try to meet

people if they write to ask if they can come and work with me and yes, mainly if they sound as

if they would fit in! My interview style is come along for coffee and have a chat. It has worked for

me because I have built a successful business that way. Be brave, try it!

Like(102) Reply(10) 1 day ago

Gracie M., Jordan Vallis, Irene Dalene, +99

10 Replies

Kashif Shahzad

ERP Technical Consultant

That is a great approach! A casual interview setting gives you a better idea of who

the other person really is.

Like(1) 2 hours ago

K. Clark (DJ OhSoKool)

Page 9: How to Answer Stupid Job Interview Questions _ LinkedIn

Isabel O.

Management

Excelent way to put things!

Like(1) 4 hours ago

Gracie M.

Show More

Kenneth Merchant

Director of Technology at Alverno High School

I've been waiting for the day to bust this line out:

Them: "So what is your biggest weakness?"

Me: "Kryptonite"

Like(96) Reply(5) 20 hours ago

Tam Conway, Anthony Caccavale, Gracie M., +93

5 Replies

Russell Bau

Healthcare Professional at ASA

Nice..!

Like 3 hours ago

Mihai-Adrian Crainic

Senior Risk Consultant/ Quantitative Risk Analysis, PFA

Better still...."Kryptonian Thinking"..., instead of just Kryptonite... This way, one

can, at least, be given the chance to develop further the whole concept, in such a

way that emphasis its core values and (dis)beliefs, with a personal touch.

Like(1) 7 hours ago

Gracie M.

Show More

Joshua Jordison (JJ)

Entrepreneur / Music Industry Aficionado / Writer

Awesome article Liz! This one made me laugh.

This (stupid questions in interviews) is one of the reasons why I decided to stop being an

employee, years ago. It's a reflection of bigger problems within a company. I don't have the

patience (nor should I) to put up with ridiculous questions like "What kind of animal would you

be".

I'd probably ask the interviewer if that really is a question, then reach across and bend their

paper down to see if it is on the paper.

One of the questions I most hated being asked during job interviews was one that didn't come

up in this article... "What do you expect to be paid here?" That question is a trick. Never, ever

answer it the first time you are asked. The interviewer isn’t interested in establishing what you

want to be paid. They are interesting in establishing their dominance over the conversation.

When you’re asked what you expect to be paid, instead of giving a number, say something like

this: “Let’s defer that until later. Right now, I just want to figure out if this is a good fit for myself

and your company”. If they persist, don’t give in.

After you’ve talked with the interviewer for a while longer, you can either ask them what their

budget is or give them a figure of what you want to be paid. Make sure you do your homework.

Use websites that let you see what other people are paid for similar positions. I think the best

one is Glass Door: http://www.glassdoor.com

If you decide to give them your figure, make sure you are at the higher end of the market. You

want to be the premium option. Always ask for at least 10% above what you would like to

make. This gives you some room for negotiation. If pressed, I'd recommend more like 25% -

but's that's me.

If you go the route of asking them for the budget, they may deflect back to you. That’s okay.

Don’t stress it. Give them your number.

Page 10: How to Answer Stupid Job Interview Questions _ LinkedIn

Be prepared to walk away. If the interviewer can’t come up to the amount you expect to be

paid, ask about other forms of compensation, like: stock options/equity, commission, bonus

etc. Never let them talk you down below your number without getting some extra incentives on

the table.

It’s possible that the interviewer won’t have the authority to give you these extra incentives. In

that case, you need to walk away, temporarily. Say something like: “I enjoyed talking with you;

and, I’m glad I was able to take the time to come down for the interview. Let’s circle back on

this in a couple of days. That’ll give you time to talk with your boss about closing the gap. I’ll

also see if I can come up with any additional creative solutions to do the same.

That’s it. Stand up, shake their hand and walk out the door. If the interviewer really liked you,

he/she will go to their boss and try to make some concessions. If you don’t get the job, it wan’t

the right one for you anyway. Move on to the next one.

Now, here's some of the language I used, decoded:

1. WHAT YOU ARE SAYING: “I enjoyed talking with you; and, I’m glad I was able to take the

time to come down for the interview."

WHAT IT REALLY MEANS: This was fun. My time is valuable; and, I'm glass this wasn't a total

waste of it. I am not here to impress you.

1. WHAT YOU ARE SAYING: "Let’s circle back on this in a couple of days. That’ll give you

time to talk with your boss about closing the gap. I’ll also see if I can come up with any

additional creative solutions to do the same."

WHAT IT REALLY MEANS: You aren't going to control me. I'm going to leave now, because I

don't need this job as much as your company needs me. To win me back, you need to go to

your boss and give me what I asked for. I will only give if you give.

This way of handling interviews is not for the faint of heart; but, it's works.

Like(61) Reply(13) 1 day ago

Michael Estoy, Gracie M., Ronald Pai, +58

13 Replies

Tanuj Kumar

Student at Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak

Wow thats a good article it must help me in future but I want to ask one question

over the question that you mentioned here. If the interviewer say that I can only give

you ₹10,000 or ₹15,000 then what would I have to say knowing that I can't servive

with such a bad renumeration. Should I leave ?

Like 43 minutes ago

Joshua Jordison (JJ)

Entrepreneur / Music Industry Aficionado / Writer

Kevin: While I think experience can help with self confidence, it isn't required. I had

no experience, when I was hired for a job that entailed helping to manage a 60+

person orchestra and do production work for events that saw 5,000+ attendees. I

did have self confidence, passion and belief in what I was capable of. I had worked

at a couple other places but nothing close the job I was applying for.

Certain professions do require experience, like: physicians, professors, dentists

etc. The vast majority, however, require the employer to have some faith in the

applicant.

Like(2) 3 hours ago

Jacqueline Bidwell and K. Clark (DJ OhSoKool)

Show More

Lise T.

Payroll | Human Resources | Finance | Accounting

Best article I have read in a long time. Wake up recruiters.

Like(39) Reply(2) 1 day ago

Irene Dalene, Reuel Lewis, Dahir Adani, +36

2 Replies

Page 11: How to Answer Stupid Job Interview Questions _ LinkedIn

John Yoo

VP of International Sales at Tomok Korea Co. Ltd.

Payroll | Human Resources | Finance | Accounting...Wow Lise...is there anything you don't

do?

Like(4) 10 hours ago

Niral Vora, MSc, Dahir Adani, Amit Joshi, +1

Suzanna Kiraly

Inventive Spirit

Yes. My best interviews are always those where the interviewer and I have a

friendly discussion rather than them asking me a list of questions. It allows me to

be myself and give them all the answers they need at the same time. But I think it

takes a talented recruiter to be able to get all the answers they need from someone

without asking them a laundry list of questions.

Like(16) 19 hours ago

Niral Vora, MSc, K. Clark (DJ OhSoKool), Fiona Hitchins, +13

Michael M. Obradovitch II, Esq.

USPTO Registered Patent Attorney & Chemical Engineer; Realtor ™

I think I found a kindered spirit in Liz Ryan. This article hits on a number of my pet peeves albeit

I've never had to sit through a dumb interview. Stupid questions aside, Liz points points to

another interesting issue. Over the past year, I've noticed that a number of recruiters on

LinkedIn keep advertising the very same job opening/opportunity months on end. Not a single

word is changed. Just as Angie (in the article) asks: "What would you say is the reason it's

taken some time to find the right person?", I am similarly curious why these people are having

the such a difficult time filling the position or is there really a position that needs to be filled?

LinkedIn search capabilities are presumably quite good. So I keep wondering: (1) Are some of

these recruiters terminally lazy and/or merely "trolling"? and (2) Do these reported jobs

openings "really suck"? Anyone have a clue?

Like(24) Reply(6) 1 day ago

Irene Dalene, Reuel Lewis, Laura West, +21

6 Replies

Alan Toner

Self Employed Writer

It's like these employment agencies who advertise fake jobs on jobs boards week

after week. It is a horrible tactic, and is only exacerbating the plight of the jobless.

Like(6) 12 hours ago

Deborah Paris-Evans, David Johnston, Peter Hulley, +3

Richard Ellis

Commercial/Contractor Sales Manager, Menards, Salina, KS

As the late, great Johnny Carson said, "Never stay in a Motel that has the

VACANCY sign painted on the side of the building."

Like(12) 15 hours ago

Irene Dalene, Liba Ronge, Tim Carpenter, +9

Show More

Phillip Sharkey

Consulting Scientific Program Manager

What's your greatest weakness?

Chocolate.

Like(32) Reply(3) 20 hours ago

Tom Froelich, Viviane Bouché, Lisa Onorato, +29

3 Replies

Page 12: How to Answer Stupid Job Interview Questions _ LinkedIn

Olga Driz

IT Manager - Looking for long term challenging career opportunity

Hahaha! Great answer.

Like 2 hours ago

Dana George

Human Resources Leader & Business Partner In Transition

I love this answer! I am using it. Thanks!

Like(4) 16 hours ago

Reuel Lewis, Anthony Permal, David Johnston, +1

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Nick Kossovan

Bilingual (French / English) Call Center Management with Flair | Customer Service |

Sales | Social Media Samurai

Great article, however the advice given only applies to those who can afford to not play the

interviewer's questions to get the job.

I would render a guess that the vast majority of those being interviewed need to work to pay the

rent, bills, etc. Therefore the interviewer is in control. The reason these irrelevant questions still

get asked, and will continue to be asked, is because most people cannot afford not to answer

them and therefore do so. It's common knowledge that the hiring process is broken so why is

nothing being done to fix it? Until it's an employee market, which will not be happening for the

foreseeable future, the process will remain broken.

Like(30) Reply(5) 17 hours ago

Luz Collado, Stephen Dunn, PMP, Valerie Wilkinson, +27

5 Replies

Eric Moody

Supply Chain & Team Leader

You raise a valid point, but all the article's recommended responses appear to leave

the door open for the recruitment to continue, which I agree the candidate may

need. I would adopt a wait-and-see approach. You need to know if you’re facing:

1) A dumb holdover question that just hasn’t been eliminated from the company’s

interview script (best case).

2) An individual interviewer’s misguided question (may be OK, unless it’s from the

hiring manager/potential boss).

3) A question that reflects a clueless and/or Type X management culture (worst

case, run away).

If you’re certain it’s (3) you can switch to some of the awesome comebacks given

here in the Comments.

Like 37 minutes ago

Fiona Hitchins

Executive Personal Assistant

Totally agree Nick. It is awful to be in a position where you have to take a job out of

necessity but start the job with a bad taste in your mouth because of the attitude of

the company during the interview process. The question is how I, as the

interviewee, help to influence change?

Like 3 hours ago

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Carmen Santa Cruz,PhD

Quality manager EMEA at MarkMonitor, A division of Thomson Reuters IP Solutions

I like the silly question about "what are your weaknesses", my take is " i dont believe in

weaknesses, but in contextually innapropiate strengths". :) I think a much better question

would be "what are you strengths?" or even " in which direction you would like to grow?" or "

what is your passion?" You learn so much more from a person when you ask a question that

lights them from inside!

Page 13: How to Answer Stupid Job Interview Questions _ LinkedIn

Like(37) Reply(5) 1 day ago

Mike Gorski, Irene Cvetkovski-Dukic, Reuel Lewis, +34

5 Replies

Sean Yu

IT Executive at NTUC Foodfare Co-operative Ltd

"i don't believe in weaknesses, but in contextually inappropriate strengths" ->

always thought of this answer but was never able to word it this well. Thanks for

this one Ms Carmen. Will be planning to use it next time.

Like 2 hours ago

n v nathan

Sr Executive at Tea Business House

You are absolutely correct.

Like 4 hours ago

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Anna Gray

Highly accomplished international attorney with over 12 years of legal experience in

multiple areas of law.

I treat life as a game, where basically if you don't jump high enough, trolls are gonna get you. I

treat job search and interviews basically same way, believing that it is better to collect and sell

empty bottles and cans than to be a slave in some strange company. I also believe in telling

the truth. Having been asked questions like this, some of the answers were:

1. If you were an animal, what kind of animal would you be? - I would be Homo sapiens.

2. With all the talented candidates, why should we hire you? - If you don't, your competitors

will.

3. What's your greatest weakness? - You are not my friend yet, so it wouldn't be wise to tell

you.

4. Where do you see yourself in five years? - On top of the world, living in a penthouse, and

running your company.

Think I never got a job answering them like this? I did, many times. Some recruiters still do

have a common sense, as well as sense of humor. Keep your chin up and don't despair!

Like(33) Reply(2) 18 hours ago

Rodolfo Cereghino, Ronald Pai, Gwyneth Wesley Rolph, +30

2 Replies

Fiona Hitchins

Executive Personal Assistant

You are my hero Anna Gray! You inspire me to come up with my own individual

answers to these silly questions.

Like(1) 3 hours ago

Reuel Lewis

Aliki Charalambidou Arestis

Contract Engineer at Petroleum Development Oman at WIPRO

TECHNOLOGIES

I like your approach Anna :)

Like 6 hours ago

Lisa Doorly

Global Talent Acquisition Manager - Danaher Sensors & Controls & Portescap

Paul M - I love that response about the pigeon. I hate the "trick" questions - looking for a job is

difficult enough why does it need to be a "trick"

Like(13) Reply(3) 22 hours ago

Johanna Sjöblom, Jenni Jensen, Fiona Hitchins, +10

3 Replies

Page 14: How to Answer Stupid Job Interview Questions _ LinkedIn

Alan Toner

Self Employed Writer

Yes, Lisa, I totally agree with you. Why DOES it have to be "trick"? Heaven's above, it's

hard enough for a jobseeker to gain employment as it is without having to face these barmy

interviewing techniques of employers.

Like 12 hours ago

Allen Weston

MBA | Problem Solving | Leadership | Data Analysis | Strategic Planning

I agree with Cheryl. Such frivolous questions only scratch basic assumptions and

nothing about the candidates goals, aspirations or soft skills. Why waste my time

with generic questions that only take the generic answers to be right. Instead of

playing interview Scrabble with me, boring me, and sucking the excitement out of

the process, why not train recruiters or anyone that works in the same position

being hired for and ask some questions that will define me, differentiate me, and

make it seem you're interested in my presence today. If you want to hire "value" as

Cheryl correctly labels the processes end result, ask me VALUABLE questions.

The time should equal the effort and level of questions should show that. Life is

hard, the process should not be.

Like(11) 21 hours ago

Reuel Lewis, Dahir Adani, Maria F., +8

Show More

Kat Ford [LION 10k+]

Kat Ford - SEO Certified Professional | Social Media Certified Professional | SEM |

Inbound Marketing | Lead Generation

What animal am I? I'm a Kat, obviously! ;-)

Like(28) Reply(3) 22 hours ago

Nikola Stokic, Reuel Lewis, Benjamin Ross, +25

3 Replies

Steve Cook

Projektledare at Västra Götalandsregionen

... and yet it says Lion 10k+ next to your name in your profile ;-) Though I guess a

lion is a kat too!

Like(1) 8 hours ago

Eddy Chaar

John C Barrett

Pharmacy Accreditation Reviewer at URAC

Great answer!

Like 9 hours ago

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Steve Patterson

Director of Operations - Manufacturing Management

No one wants to overly indulge the incompetent or unaware interviewer, but some bizarre

questions are being asked at even some of the premier employers. Sometimes it is just to see

how you react, sometimes it is because the interviewer has been asking the same questions

for years, and made successful hires. They believe their interview style and questions work for

them. If you were applying to Google and they asked you what kind of animal you were, you

would respond in some manner, might even be "How the heck is that relevant", right? But you

would answer it. Zombie questions are the current fad, you might even be requested to play a

video game. If this all crosses your tolerance threshold, then end the interview.

If all candidates refused to put up with intolerable interviews, then the process would change,

but enough candidates will "jump through the hoops" to land a job, that candidate behavior

alone cannot drive employer change.

Just remember, if you are treated poorly as a recruit, the behavior will NOT improve once you

Page 15: How to Answer Stupid Job Interview Questions _ LinkedIn

are an employee. It may not be reflective of the direct hiring manager, but the H.R. department

is very reflective of the organizational culture.

Like(16) Reply(6) 21 hours ago

Johanna Sjöblom, Viviane Bouché, Reuel Lewis, +13

6 Replies

Fiona Hitchins

Executive Personal Assistant

I agree, these type of questions make me question the intelligence of the people I

would be working with!

Like 3 hours ago

Alan Toner

Self Employed Writer

Well said.

Like 12 hours ago

Show More

Jan Creager

National Account Executive at Safilo USA

During an interview, an HR person held up a glass jar and asked me how many jelly beans

would fit inside. I answered, but was perplexed when the rest of the interview consisted mostly

of 3 of the 4 questions listed in the article. She talked very little about the skill set pertaining to

the job, even though I tried to bring this into the discussion.

I was prepared to answer questions like, what has your experience at company xyz done to

prepare you for this position? Or, tell me about a time you had a conflict with an account, and

how did you resolve it? Or, how can you contribute to our growth? Instead, it was sort of a

verbal ink blot test.

Interview questions should focus on the skills needed for the job, peppered with a few offbeat

questions to gauge reactionary skills. However, the 4 questions listed in the article are now so

cliché, that candidates have rehearsed answers that do not give any indication of how qualified

they are for the job.

Like(5) Reply(3) 20 hours ago

Reuel Lewis, Fiona Hitchins, Francoise Lou, +2

3 Replies

Suzanna Kiraly

Inventive Spirit

These questions seem more like IQ test questions and make you feel like you

should be a genius, but most jobs don't require a genius.

Like(3) 14 hours ago

David Gault, Alan Toner, and Jan Creager

Mike Doria

Knowledge Communication Consultant (independent professional)

I was onced asked this question: "How many batteries are there in the

Philippines?". At first, I was stumped. After the interview, I felt violent. lol

Like(10) 19 hours ago

Reuel Lewis, Fiona Hitchins, David Gault, +7

Show More

Kenneth Gray

Managing Partner at Alliance Law Firm International PLLC

I think this article raises some important issues and the comment thread is filled with some

really excellent points.Liz Ryan did an excellent job authoring this, thank you!

As an employer and as a job seeker I have asked and been asked the "where do you see

yourself in 5 years" question too many times to count. My frustration with that line of

Page 16: How to Answer Stupid Job Interview Questions _ LinkedIn

questioning was not with the question but with interviewers who evaluate based on a firm

answer to the question. "Where do you see yourself in 5 years" is unanswerable.

However, as an employer, I still ask this question. The difference with me is that the question

isn't a test of organization, ambition, ... it is a test of honesty. People who have a concrete

answer are often lying. I don't hire liars. People who answer with a version of "I don't know" or

"it's impossible to say" get more consideration.

The reality of interviewing is that companies do need to temper their expectations. The past 5

years have given employers the luxury of thinking they can pick and choose among perfect

candidates. This is an ephemeral state and will hurt companies that adhere to this dogma more

than help. Realistically, employers need to find people who are the best _adaptable_ to what

needs to be done (not the best at what to do at some fixed time). When the labor market gets

tight again, retainability will matter more than initial qualification.

Like(6) Reply(1) 17 hours ago

Don Atkinson, Khalis Razzak Kamel, Janne Jääskeläinen, +3

1 Reply

Nick Kossovan

Bilingual (French / English) Call Center Management with Flair | Customer

Service | Sales | Social Media Samurai

RE: "People who have a concrete answer are often lying. I don't hire liars. People

who answer with a version of "I don't know" or "it's impossible to say" get more

consideration."

Obviously you enjoy playing head games. What would make you ever say that

someone is a liar because they have a concrete answer as to where they see

themselves in years? Many people do plan ahead and have a clear vision of where

they would like to be in 5 years. I believe it's called "Planning".

Like(17) 17 hours ago

Ronald Pai, Valerie Wilkinson, Reuel Lewis, +14

Peter Wright

Executive Chef. Currently Seeking New Opportunities

People tend to forget that there are actually two interviews taking place, as an interviewee is

this the right employer for you? What they say and what you ask will help determine that

Like(17) Reply(2) 1 day ago

Reuel Lewis, Stewart Desson, Denise Gerdes, +14

2 Replies

Bryce Adams

Technical Sales Professional. Looking for new opportunities.

Unfortunately you're usually dealing with the recruiting company and/or the HR

department before getting to talk to the actual people you'll be working with.

Like(4) 20 hours ago

Frank Light, Petr Mareš, Reuel Lewis, +1

Cheryl Swanson

CMO/VP Marketing & Sales 4Hire: Strategy I Social Media I CRM I Sales

Process & Communications Mgmt I Brand Experience

True. My career path and self-respect are far more important to me and my family's

goals. Your first-line HR reps indicate how you value candidates and your

company's projected brand experience--or not. If they are incompetent at their job

of "courting all candidates" with whom they have bothered to have a face to face

meeting with, they should be working toward a discussion that makes them a

viable contender for the position as soon as possible for the company's productivity

goal. Give your HR clarity of purpose: "Your objective is to provide me 3-5 ranked

candidates in our price range within 90 days."

Like 21 hours ago

Nick Thomas

Business Improvement Professional (Think, Plan, Act)

Here are my answers to these questions:

1. What kind of animal? A dragon, since it is a fantasy question conjured up from some

Page 17: How to Answer Stupid Job Interview Questions _ LinkedIn

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mystical source, I might as well have fun with it too.

2. Talents? An ability to sit through painful experiences without getting offended.

3. Weakness? An ability to sit through painful experiences without getting offended.

4. Five years? In a better place personally and professionally to be determined by

circumstances. This is not untrue, yet it is optimistic, and un-offensive.

When facing seemingly irrelevant questions during an interview, we shouldn't be too quick to get

offended by the questioning, since WE are the ones looking for a job, and what does it hurt to

just answer the questions without getting cynical, critical, or put off. A positive attitude is VERY

important, and it cannot be taught or learned, rather it is something you either have or not. Have

some FUN...and get the job! Once hired, IF you want to come back and ask what all those

questions were about...fine. But, who really cares what you think about the hiring process?

GETTING THE JOB you applied for should be your ONLY priority.

Like(13) Reply(5) 17 hours ago

Zreen Ishrt, Tim Rank, David Gault, +10

5 Replies

Michael Braum

Estate Manager at Nazareth House

Well put! I agree, it is unlikely that the interviewer would even recognise a good

answer as the IQ required for thinking up questions like that is not as high as the

IQ required to understand any level of answer.

The most important point is that that interviewer is going to report back on whether

you should or should not be hired and any form of smart-ass answer isn't going to

achieve the desired effect.

Like 25 minutes ago

Debra Feuerbacher

Healthcare CPA

I love this response! When I was younger with only a few years' experience - before

HR folks started using these techniques - finding a job was easy-peasy. Now that I

am older and am faced with these weird hurdles, I do believe it is important to have

positive communication skills in combination with all this experience.

Like 10 hours ago

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Cindy Campbell

Multi-Unit Operations Supervisor/Exceptional Team Builder

Too funny and so true. These questions are asked all the time and reveal nothing about one's

ability to do the job. I was headhunted once for a GM position and went to the interview. It was

for a new start up franchise. The two Owners asked me if I had experience with children.

Curious, I asked why. Reply "You will basically be a babysitter. What is your salary

requirement?" I replied "60k." Straight face. Needless to say...that ended that interview rather

quickly.

Like(16) Reply 1 day ago

Liba Ronge, Rashad Hanibal, David Gault, +13

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