Readers Respond: Funny Interview Questions

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Smoke if Got 'Em

I applied at a gas station and was asked if smoked. I've worked for gas stations before, as stated on my resume. I simply asked how it was relevant to the position and she refused to tell me. So I refused the answer. Never got the job though lol.

—Guest Ben Dover

Twice!

I had two separate awful interview experiences I just had to share after reading this page. Once, when I was married, I was asked what are your family planning plans? Their were two men in the room interviewing me and as a lady I was mortified. I calmly replied No plans as such but whatever God has in store. He laughed out loud and said God is there but we also have a hand in the situation.. even the other gentleman was embarrassed and I said point blank I'm not planning and that's the end of that discussion. I walked away thinking this guys an ass. I got the job offer and I turned it out just because of that experience. Another experience... I had recently separated from my husband and the interviewer asked why I had moved countries in my youth. I explained my parents had separated which is what led to my relocating with my mother at a young age. He made a snide expression and said your parents are divorced, you're separated.. what's the problem? haha.. The nerve of some people.

—Guest Guest Abroad

Drinks

When I was in an interview for physical therapy school, at the end the interviewer asked me if I were to buy him a drink at the bar, what would it be and why. I thought it was a fun end to the interview but probably awkward for someone who doesn't drink.

—Guest Lisa Renee

I'm Not an Animal

Question: "If you were an animal, which and why?" This really confused me since I had no idea what to answer, but it's possible they'd throw this out there. I was applying at Port of Subs, so this question could potentially go anywhere.

—Guest Dan

From the Assistant Manager

During an interview, the Assistant Manager for the department said to me, "I don't know what your relationship status is, but there are a lot of single guys that work here."

—Guest Female Guest

Knowledge of Sloths

If you were a sloth, would you climb a tree or a house?

—Guest callum

Background and Experience

What experience do you have that is relevant to this position?

—Guest claude

Gender

When once offered a job, the employer offered the compliment, "You're the first female producer we've ever hired!" I felt quite proud... for about 3 seconds. That's when it hit me: it was 1995, so what did that say about the company?! I respectfully declined the offer, and joined a rising competitor within days. So glad I had that woman's intuition!

—TipCanoe

Food

If you were food, what type of food would you be?

—Guest Jack

From an Applicant

Can you give me cab fare so I can get to my next interview?

—Guest Guy B.

Will You Go Out With Me?

Would you like to go for drinks after we finish up the interview?

—Guest Guest

What Do I Want to Be?

I'm a middle aged man and I was asked by a twenty-something interviewer what I wanted to be when I grew up.

—Guest Pierre M.

Funny Interview Question

I don't think the interviewer meant it, but it didn't come out quite right when I was asked how weird I was - or wasn't.

—Guest Jill

Interview Question

How many kids do you have? How old are they? How long have you and your husband lived in this area?

—Guest Edith Richardson

Sneaky Age Questions

On several interviews, I have been asked what my "10-20 year" plans were. Now it's obvious I am not 40 years old... I am 60+, so this is how they got around it. I usually answer by saying "the average time an employee stays with any employer is 5 to 7 years and I certainly plan on being around longer than that." I can understand any enployer wanting to know what your plans are in the next 5 years, but when they go that far out, it's age related.

—solitaire9

Lucky, Huh?

I'm a black male. The interviewer was Indian. I was asked if I had any felonies (even though it was already clearly written on my application). I said, "No." He replies, "Lucky Huh?". This was one of many prejudice comments he made towards me during that entire interview. I replied, "What do you mean by that? [lucky, huh?]". He responded with,"Oh, uhh... we're all lucky." He knew, his prejudice was rearing it's ugly head, so he tried to backtrack. He thought that all black men are prone to get into "trouble" with the law and so I was lucky if I didn't have a rap sheet like a "normal black person." That entire interview - they way he looked at me, and talked to me was just plain disrespectful and prejudice. I walked away thinking to myself: I'm not working for this clown.

—Guest DTown Worker

My Husband

I was asked at a job interview if my husband would mind the travel involved. Definitely inappropriate, sexist, and not relevant.

—Guest Stella Marie Jenning