Outline:
Unusual and Inappropriate Interview Questions That Left Candidates Speechless
When you step into a job interview, it’s natural to feel a mix of excitement and anxiety. However, not all interviews are created equal. Some can be filled with unexpected and even inappropriate questions that leave candidates completely baffled. These stories from Redditors highlight just how strange some job interviews can get.
1. A Question About Strength
One candidate, a young female cabinet maker applying for a summer job in a joinery workshop, was asked, “How strong are you?” The question left her confused, and the interviewer gave her a side eye. A lady behind him shouted, “You’re not allowed to ask that!” It turned out to be his wife shouting at him. Despite the awkwardness, she got the job.
2. A Question About Dialysis
Another candidate was asked if they could stop their dialysis treatments to be more available. This question was clearly inappropriate and left the candidate feeling disrespected.
3. A Spirit Animal Question
A candidate was asked about their spirit animal at the end of an interview. They responded with a bear, thinking about hibernating and being lazy. The interviewer found it amusing and later became one of the best bosses they ever had.
4. A Bizarre Job Application Question
One of the most bizarre questions came on a job application, leaving the candidate wondering what the interviewer was thinking.
5. A Religious Question
During an interview for a movie theater job, the manager asked if the candidate attended church on Sunday mornings. When the candidate said no, the manager replied, “So you’re gonna burn in hell?” The candidate was taken aback and unsure how to respond.
6. A Swimming Question
For a software engineer job, the interviewer asked, “Do you know how to swim?” When the candidate replied, “No,” they were told to leave immediately.
7. A Tree Question
An interviewer asked, “If you were a tree, what kind of a tree would you be?” The candidate responded, “A tree with a job.” The interviewer found it amusing, but the question was definitely unusual.
8. A Question About Attraction
During an interview for a janitorial position, the interviewer suddenly asked, “You’re not attracted to underage girls, are you?” The candidate was taken aback and struggled to understand the relevance of the question.
9. A Manager’s Understanding
An interview question asked, “Do you think a manager needs to understand the job of the people he’s managing?” The candidate answered affirmatively, only to be thanked for their time and told to leave immediately.
10. A Question About a Teacher
A candidate was asked, “Which teacher did you hate the most and why?” They explained a disagreement over a book, but the interviewer considered it unprofessional and did not offer the internship.
11. An Illegal Question
For an IT security position, the candidate was asked, “If your employer asked you to do something illegal, would you do it?” Later, the candidate learned that the previous employee had been fired for refusing to do something illegal.
12. A Question About Spouse
An interviewer asked, “What are the chances of you leaving your spouse if we relocate you?” The question was clearly inappropriate and left the candidate feeling uncomfortable.
13. A Question About Debt
A candidate was asked, “Wait, aren’t you the guy who owes me that thousand dollars?” The question caught them off guard, but it turned out to be a joke.
14. A Question About ABBA
An interviewer ended the interview by asking, “What is your favorite ABBA song?” The candidate was caught off guard, especially since the interviewer knew about their love for ABBA from references.
15. A Question About Clothing
During a waitress interview, the candidate was asked, “Are you prepared to wear more revealing clothing?” The question was clearly inappropriate, and the candidate decided not to finish the interview.
16. A Question About the Future
An interviewer asked, “Where do you see yourself in five years, after we got rid of you in two to three years?” The question was both confusing and disrespectful.
17. A Lie Detector Question
A candidate was asked if they had ever had sex with animals during a lie detector test. The question was completely inappropriate and caught the candidate off guard.
18. A Question About Abortion
For a librarian job in a conservative town, the candidate was asked, “What would you do if a teenager (female) asked you for information about abortion?” The answer was considered inappropriate, and the candidate did not get the job.
19. A Question About Video Games
A candidate was asked if they played video games in their downtime. When they said yes, they were instantly turned down for the position. The excuse was, “We don’t hire overgrown children.”
20. A Direct Question
An interviewer asked, “Are you retarded?” The candidate replied, “Yes,” thinking the interview was over. However, the interviewer offered the job, which the candidate declined.
21. A Slang Question
A candidate, a former Navy member, was asked, “So Richard, what do you go by—Rick, Ricky, Richard… DCK?” The candidate sarcastically replied, “It’s Cck actually.” The interview continued, and the candidate got the job.
22. Superhero and Alien Questions
An interview included two unusual questions: “Favorite superhero and why” and “Do you believe in aliens, why or why not—30-second elevator pitch.”
23. A Question About Pregnancy
A candidate was asked, “Are you pregnant?” After saying no, they were asked, “Are you planning to get pregnant?” The question was clearly inappropriate and left the candidate uncomfortable.
24. A Personality Question
A candidate was asked to describe their personality with a line. They questioned the meaning, leading to a discussion about highs and lows. The question was for a lab job, and the candidate is autistic.
