HR’s funny side: ‘What kind of fruit would you be?’
July 22, 2008 by Sam NarisiPosted in: In This Week's E-Newsletter, Interviewing, Latest News & Views
Candidates have had a lot of practice answering the usual interview questions. Maybe that’s why interviewers have come up with these new gems.
A recent survey by Monster.com revealed the dumbest interview questions candidates have been asked. Here are the highlights:
- “Why aren’t you married yet?”
- “Are you single? Why not?”
- “Is that your natural hair color?”
- “Who is your favorite Beatle?”
- “What did you think about the painting in our lobby?”
- “If you were a fruit, what kind of fruit would you be?”
Those are mostly silly time-wasters, but the study showed that a surprisingly high number of candidates have been asked questions about race, age, sex and religion — all of which can lead to discrimination suits.
You can read the results of the survey here.
How about you? Know of any silly questions your colleagues in the field are asking? Let us know by dropping us a comment.
Tags: dumb questions, HR's funny side, Monster.com
July 25th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Actual Tough/Unusual Job Interview Questions
• If you could be any character in fiction, whom would you be?
• If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play the lead role as you?
• If you could be a super hero, what would you want your superpowers to be?
• If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be?
• If you had to be shipwrecked on a deserted island, but all your human needs — such as food and water — were taken care of, what two items would you want to have with you?
• If you had six months with no obligations or financial constraints, what would you do with the time?
• If you had only six months left to live, what would you do with the time?
• If you could have dinner with anyone from history, who would it be and why?
• If you could compare yourself with any animal, which would it be and why?
• If you were a type of food, what type of food would you be?
• If you won $20 million in the lottery, what would you do with the money?
• If you were a salad, what kind of dressing would you be?
• How do I rate as an interviewer?
• If you were a car, what type would you be?
• Who do you admire most and why?
• In the news story of your life, what would the headline say?
July 25th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
All I can say is that these interview questions must be designed by HR “professionals” who have a lot of time on their hands…because I can’t image what could be learned by non-job related questions like this (and who would want to open themselves up to the potential legals issues some questions could cause).
I would love to have this much discretionary time.
July 25th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Actually, I’ve learned quite a lot from asking questions like the ones Maryanne posted.
For example:
How the person thinks on their feet
If they consider their words/actions before or after they use them
How creative they are
If they will fit with the company culture
How they view themselves in the worldwide and even companywide scheme of things
Resilance to change
Confidence in themselves
Ability to articulate their thoughts - in a situation they couldn’t prepare for
Dreams and aspirations for themselves
July 25th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
I agree with Raised Eyebrow. I’ve often used the fruit question for the reasons he/she listed. Questions like that can really give you some valuable insight of the candidates.
July 25th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
I agree with raised eyebrow. You can get alot more information than you think with some of these “silly” questions. One Manager always ask in an interview What kind of fish you would be and why. There were really good answers and really “what are you taking about” answers.