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Really, really weird interview...

Teresa

I've just had a second interview with a local medium-sized company for the role of HR manager. First interview was standard with several 'Give an example of when you...' and 'What would you do if...' questions. So far, so good.

I was one of two asked back for a second interview. The second interview, which with the same two interviewers as before but also the CEO, was an hour of 'If you were an animal, what would it be', 'Who would you most like to have round for dinner', 'Where's your ideal holiday', and 'What's your perfect weekend'. 

Eh??? Did I miss the CIPD's briefing on new questioning regime?

Were they just trying to see if I'd fit in (which is what I was told) or were there ulterior motives behind each of the questions. Because I said 'hedgehog' to the animal question does this mean I'm prickly and hide from conflict; should I have said something more aggressive like Rottweiler or polecat? As 'Italy' was my ideal holiday does that mean I'm unadventurous and conventional; should I have gone backpacking in the Andes or building schools in Malawi? By the end of the hour I was absolutely drained. 

Joking aside, it was actually a surreal experience and made me wonder what I was getting myself into. Luckily, I didn't get the job. Anyone else had - or conducted - an interview like this?

Parents
  • Once went to a second interview and they just said do you have any questions, I was taken aback and said no, so they said ok then and that was it! Didn’t get the job but later in another organisation meet and worked with the interviewer who remembered and apologised said it was something to do with company policy lol
  • in reply to jill
    Hi Jill
    Maybe I’m an exception, but for me “Do you have any questions” is a normal thing to ask.
    As examples :
    1) There may be areas that the candidate may want to know more about, but which have not been covered sufficiently for them to develop an understanding of, or formulate a final opinion on, the job, on the company etc.
    2) They can also take it as an opportunity for the candidate to move the exchange back into areas of potential strength in order to create another “selling opportunity” for their application.
    3) .... etc
    As a candidate I cannot think of a single interview where I DIDN’T have outstanding questions to ask from my preparatory notes or checklist..,,
    What IS SURPRISING is the manager not knowing the reason he was expected to ask the question - or maybe not, given how badly m
    managers are often prepared for interviewing.....,
  • in reply to Ray
    I thought this too but on re-reading Jill's post I think that may have been the only question they asked at the second interview?
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