3 Silly Job Interview Questions and Answers

Posted by in Career Advice •




I have several friends who are looking for jobs and sometimes we like to sit back and share our interview horror stories. Let me tell you, some of these people could tell you stories that would curl your hair, but what makes me laugh the most are the silly interview questions. Of course, I do realize that many of the questions that interviewers ask are standard and the company they work for requires them to ask certain questions, even if they personally think it's silly.



That being said, here are 3 of the silliest job interview questions and answers:

 

  • What's your greatest weakness? - I hate this one. Really, what do you say? Some people think that it's best to answer it by giving one of their strengths. For example, they could say "I'm a workaholic". Which isn't a great answer, even if it were true. In fact, if your strongest weakness is truly that you work to hard, you should make up a better answer because no one is going to believe yours. If you don't want to take that route, then you'll have to make up a weakness because if you answer the question honestly, you're not going to get the job. After all, who is going to say "I like to steal office supplies" or "I can't resist stealing my co-worker's lunch from the fridge." There is a time and place for honesty, and a job interview isn't always it.
  • Where do you see yourself in 5 years? - This question has always baffled me. The truth is that, frankly, I have no idea what I will be doing in 5 years. In fact, when I try to picture myself 5 years from now, I just hope that I'm still alive. So, I'm not sure what the interviewer is expecting my answer to be, but I know that "I'll be working somewhere else.", "Working somewhere" and "I'll probably be retired by then." are all not very good answers. The best way to answer this one is to just say that you plan to continue to expand your skills and grow in your career. It's just vague and non-committal enough to really impress and interviewer.
  • Why should I hire you? - It seems that this questions isn't being asked as often anymore, and I, for one, am eternally grateful. I realize that this is the question that every hiring manager has in their mind, but this question is usually asked in an almost hostile tone of voice. The interviewers used to practice being as condescending as possible in order to "see what the applicant was made of". Now, the questions is just a great way to tell if the boss is a jerk or not.

 

What other interview questions do you hate? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
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  • M M
    M M •
    To be honest, these can be just a part of the process, and you should be ready for anything. Doesn't matter if you like them or not really. Just make sure your answer isn't a canned response. For example, greatest weekness should be followed up with what you're working on to correct it and if it's been fully successful (I want to lose weight and I've started working out. While not at the desired weight just yet, I can see improvements, so I'm going to keep at it until I hit that goal.) It's simple, obtainable, and fairly honest.Where do you want to be in 5 years. This is easy if you think about it. Seeing how you're applying to the job, hopefully, you look at it as more than a job and a possible career. That being said, in 5 years, you could hope to have worked hard enough to have your talents recognized to be next in line for position XYZ.Why should I hire you? Because out of all of the candidates that you've seen today, I'm certain that I can bring A, B, and C to the table. Based upon my past job experiences, I'm sure I'll be a great fit, a hard working employee, and a team player that you will welcome into your organization.I just made these up, but they're not rocket science. I know people have tendencies to hate questions like these, but they aren't terrible. Just take a moment to think, answer the question, then follow up after some time. If you don't get the job, ask for feedback why. Take the feedback, correct your weaknesses, if any, move on to the next opportunity. That's that. Just my .02.
  • Rod H
    Rod H •
    I have actually answered the question-"what would be the first initiative you would enact after starting here?" and found that I actually gave them too many details about my action plan. Without hiring me, my plans were put into action for those companies without hiring me. So much for studying up on the company before interviewing.
  • Stephanie W
    Stephanie W •
    I hate to admitted it, but those are the questions I dread the most. That, and if you have ever been discharged from a position even if it doesn't relate to the position you are applying for.
  • Angel A
    Angel A •
    Here is one I hate, you've applied for a job in another town the drive is a distance, but why ask the applicant "Are you sure the drive to and from isn't going to wear you out?" Really, I applied for the job because I need one. I already know it is a distance, but you have to do what you have to do ...... Right?
  • JoAnn B
    JoAnn B •
    I would like to know what you would say what your weakness is and why they should hire you.  I never know what to say when they ask me these questions.  also when they ask you if you have any questions for me meaning the interviewer.  Need an answer
  • alexis w
    alexis w •
    Very helpful... Thank you
  • Roxane G
    Roxane G •
    I think generic answers are the best because employers can interpret your answers and use them as an indicator of your work ethic and hold you accountable for the answer you give.
  • Charlotte W
    Charlotte W •
    when they ask you where you see yourself in 5 years they want to know if working at there company is where you really want to be or is it just at job till you find what you really want.  You need to say I would like to be working for you and I would like to move on up into a higher level position.  
  • Shawanna H
    Shawanna H •
    My toughest question that I have been asked multiple times and have always had trouble with is,Give me an example of a time where you had to do something you didn't agree with.or Why should we hire you?
  • IRIS W
    IRIS W •
    I think this writer hit this one on the head!! Those three questions are the one's I hate and never know what to say or don't know what the interviewer is looking for when those particular questions are asked. Yes, I do agree with the writer
  • james s
    james s •
    NICE,REFRESHING.puts us in the frame of mind for interviewing.
  • Robert C
    Robert C •
    The silliest question I was asked was, "Can you do this job drunk or sober?"
  • Marries B
    Marries B •
    I hate when they ask you tell me a time where you went above and beyond at recent company?
  • Debra R
    Debra R •
    With a possibility of changing careers, I do not know what I would be getting into. So I am not sure of how to answer these type of questions.
  • Darrell W
    Darrell W •
    I have faced all three of these questions. They stun me at first, but I still retain my composure and put a positive spin on the answer.
  • Tenesha J
    Tenesha J •
    If i asked your old manager What would your manager say about you.
  • Michaelene L
    Michaelene L •
    The question about weaknesses is a tough one.  First:  don't lie.  No one is perfect and the interviewer does not expect that you are.  Second, ask yourself:  will your weakness(es) affect the job that you are being interviewed for?  If not, then say so.  Third, give an example of one weakness that you identified in the recent past and then what you did to successfully resolve it, perhaps even turned it into an opportunity for advancement.
  • Denise B
    Denise B •
    You did not give an example for "what is your greatest weakness?" Nor did you give one for "why should I hire you?"
  • Denise B
    Denise B •
    It's hard to answer these questions without sounding like this job would be just something to get you through until you can find something better, and you may sound egotistical, depending on how you word your answers. I don't like these questions either!

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