Think I heard the worst answer to a job interview question this morning

[Illustrious Potentate]

It is. First, he's not a foreman yet, so how would he know. They should have phrased the question by saying "As a foreman, what would you consider to be your most valuable asset." Or "What would you bring to the Foreman position, that others wouldn't". Or "What separates you from the other candidates".

I could see how the guy was confused and maybe he should have asked for clarification. But if he's leading a crushing crew or building stockpiles, he doesn't need to be a genius. If he's running the whole pit or quarry, identifying areas to blast or veins to chase then he needs to be able to make bigger decisions.

Either way, weird question, weird answer too.

An employee of 10 years knows what a foreman’s role is. You’re pretty much overseeing the entire operation and your bonus is based on production numbers.

They pretty much ask that question to see if the guy has been paying attention to his safety training. We end every safety meeting with something along the lines of “remember, that equipment is worthless without you, and never risk your safety to save a piece of equipment”

It’s pretty much a question to see if the guy is gonna put his subordinates in unsafe positions. It’s one of those cheesy HR questions that has to be asked. He could have asked anyone what to expect in the interview and they would have told him that question was coming and what the answer we’re looking for is

 

[Hu War Yu]

When I was in my teens and interviewing at a Harmony Records (remember those?) I was talking about my responsibilities at my previous record store job and answered with “…and shit like that.”

Interview guy immediately wrapped up. After an uncomfortable pause I say “Sorry about that. Probably not gonna get the job, huh?” And he says “Probably not.” Lol

I usually knew what disqualified me from getting a job as soon as I said it, but sometimes I walked out of an interview thinking I had nailed that SOB, and I still didn't get it.

One time I tried giving an answer that I thought the interviewers wanted to hear, and it backfired. They said "what would you say is the best way to communicate with people? Is it email, or phone, or in-person?" And I said "in-person is always the best." The two people asking the question immediately went "Oh, NO! Oh, that's too bad, because we have people spread out all over the country, and you need to be able to use email...it's a shame you can't use email!"

I was immediately into "WTF!" mode, tried to explain that I did, as a matter of fact, know how to send email, yet they had asked "what's the BEST way?" but they were done with me. I hope they went bankrupt.

 

[PeoplesChicken]

I usually knew what disqualified me from getting a job as soon as I said it, but sometimes I walked out of an interview thinking I had nailed that SOB, and I still didn't get it.

One time I tried giving an answer that I thought the interviewers wanted to hear, and it backfired. They said "what would you say is the best way to communicate with people? Is it email, or phone, or in-person?" And I said "in-person is always the best." The two people asking the question immediately went "Oh, NO! Oh, that's too bad, because we have people spread out all over the country, and you need to be able to use email...it's a shame you can't use email!"

I was immediately into "WTF!" mode, tried to explain that I did, as a matter of fact, know how to send email, yet they had asked "what's the BEST way?" but they were done with me. I hope they went bankrupt.

Was this your interview at Fazoli's?

 

[Hu War Yu]

It’s pretty much a question to see if the guy is gonna put his subordinates in unsafe positions. It’s one of those cheesy HR questions that has to be asked. He could have asked anyone what to expect in the interview and they would have told him that question was coming and what the answer we’re looking for is

Most interview questions are crap. But that's by design, the main thing is to get the candidate talking. And most people will talk themselves right out of a job if you sit there quietly long enough.

 

[DragonFromTo]

Dude interviewing for a foreman job at a different location. The company likes to pull a couple guys in leadership positions from the area to sit in on those interviews and tell the candidate what goes with that position and ask a few questions that HR provides us with.

This morning I was picked. 7:30 AM interview.

Candidate been with the company for 10 years.

HNIC at the location the job is for asks “What would you consider to be your most valuable asset as a foreman?”

The only answer anyone is looking for is something that means “the employees/workers/people”

This guy says “well, I guess the pit loader is the most expensive, but you can’t sell any product without a shipping loader”

The three of us sitting in on the interview all gave each a look that we all knew this guy probably wouldn’t be getting a follow interview with the area manager and big wigs.

I mean, if you’re going for most expensive, it’s the primary crusher. If you’re going for most essential to the operation, you’re not gonna have any rock on the ground to sell without the pit loader, haul trucks, crushers screens or conveyors. Dude was wrong on all counts

I have no way of knowing if he eliminated himself, but I’d say he’s gonna be stuck at his current position for a while

You should get to know the guys in the trenches, "Pit Loader" and "Shipping Loader" are actually Al and Dominick's nicknames. You don't wanna know why they are called that, nor do you want to meet the guy that they call "The Primary Crusher"

 

[Hu War Yu]

Was this your interview at Fazoli's?

Dude, gimme SOME credit!



It was an Olive Garden. Totes classy

 

[PeoplesChicken]

Most interview questions are crap. But that's by design, the main thing is to get the candidate talking. And most people will talk themselves right out of a job if you sit there quietly long enough.

Agreed. 9/10 times when someone is nervous or unprepared they end up talking too much. Big red flag

 

[williewilliejuan]

Most interview questions are crap. But that's by design, the main thing is to get the candidate talking. And most people will talk themselves right out of a job if you sit there quietly long enough.

I hate those bullshit HR questions that people like to use in an interview. I just have a conversation. You’ll know soon enough whether they’re full of shit.

 

[PeoplesChicken]

Dude, gimme SOME credit!



It was an Olive Garden. Totes classy

Oh right right I forgot about that!

How did you handle the question about breadsticks?

 

[PeoplesChicken]

I hate those bullshit HR questions that people like to use in an interview. I just have a conversation. You’ll know soon enough whether they’re full of shit.

I think one of the best bullshit questions I got was "How would you rate your intelligence on a scale of 1-10?"

WTF? So If I try and be humble and give myself a lower rating how does that look? Or I rate it high that makes me seem arrogant.

 

[ill]

Agreed. 9/10 times when someone is nervous or unprepared they end up talking too much. Big red flag

I don't think it's a "red flag" but it is something I try to avoid.

I have been known to say too much when reporting out on things though...I'm that guy

 

[PeoplesChicken]

I don't think it's a "red flag" but it is something I try to avoid.

I have been known to say too much when reporting out on things though...I'm that guy

Red flag probably wasn't the best term to use. It just doesn't help your cause

 

[Hu War Yu]

Agreed. 9/10 times when someone is nervous or unprepared they end up talking too much. Big red flag

I understand being a bit nervous, that's kind of expected. But i've seen some kids go off the rails trying to impress. Last young lady we hired, I didnt want to give her the job because she talked WAY too much, including interrupting us when we were trying to ask the next question, but Bosszilla overruled me. Thought she was a go-getter.

Now she sits across from my station and bugs the ever-loving crap out of me all day.

 

[Peter Gozintite]

My wife had a girl tell her," I'm coming for your job" in an interview, and totally stone faced. Everyone laughed.

 

[PeoplesChicken]

I understand being a bit nervous, that's kind of expected. But i've seen some kids go off the rails trying to impress. Last young lady we hired, I didnt want to give her the job because she talked WAY too much, including interrupting us when we were trying to ask the next question, but Bosszilla overruled me. Thought she was a go-getter.

Now she sits across from my station and bugs the ever-loving crap out of me all day.

Interrupting the interviewers? Damn that is not an attractive quality

If I want to create the impression that I am a go-getter I bring ham and cheese samiches for the committee. Works like a charm!

 

[PeoplesChicken]

My wife had a girl tell her," I'm coming for your job" in an interview, and totally stone faced. Everyone laughed.

 

[williewilliejuan]

I think one of the best bullshit questions I got was "How would you rate your intelligence on a scale of 1-10?"

WTF? So If I try and be humble and give myself a lower rating how does that look? Or I rate it high that makes me seem arrogant.

It just all seems so fake “Tell me about your greatest weakness”

Fuck that. It’s just going to be some bullshit answer. Ask them what you really want to know.

 

[Peter Gozintite]

It just all seems so fake “Tell me about your greatest weakness”

Fuck that. It’s just going to be some bullshit answer. Ask them what you really want to know.

Years ago I got one, "Tell me about a time that you were well trained"

 

[Hu War Yu]

Oh right right I forgot about that!

How did you handle the question about breadsticks?

That's where it got weird...one of the interviewers asked "into how many orifices should our guests be shoveling the breadsticks?

 

[Peter Gozintite]

I understand being a bit nervous, that's kind of expected. But i've seen some kids go off the rails trying to impress. Last young lady we hired, I didnt want to give her the job because she talked WAY too much, including interrupting us when we were trying to ask the next question, but Bosszilla overruled me. Thought she was a go-getter.

Now she sits across from my station and bugs the ever-loving crap out of me all day.

Ts and Ps