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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?

  • I've not had quite as weird as this, but I have turned interview questions back on the interviewer before, by asking "what information do you hope to glean from my answer that question?"

    NB/ I only do this when I've already decided I don't want the job.
  • Sounds to me like you had ticked the box for 'can you do the job' and this was more about getting to know you and if they could work with you/team fit, that sort of thing. I wouldn't over analyse the questions, there is no right or wrong reply to these type of questions - in fact, I don' think they were particularly interested in your answers, but it was probably more about 'how' you answered (reacted to) their ridiculous questions; getting to know what makes you tick and whether you would want to spend your weekends with them and if you were likely to invite them round for dinner! Of course, there are more appropriate interview techniques to determine your personality traits and culture fit!
  • in reply to Caroline
    Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha ..... love it Caroline. I feel much better knowing that the reason I didn’t get the job was that there were already 2 hedgehogs - I knew I should have gone with the polecat :)
  • in reply to Nina Waters
    Its vaguely possible that what you watch may reflect your intelligence, attitude or some other trait - I've no idea. But I cannot possibly see a link between what you watch and how you will 'fit in the team' or contribute towards the running of a business.

    I'm sure there are quite a lot of HR people on these forums who really enjoy things like Love Island, Bear Grylls, Friends, 'reality' TV and such stuff but are still very pleasant company to be with. ;-)
  • I was once asked on the way into a job interview what my parents did for a living. I assumed it was awkward small talk until I later saw 'Piano Teacher and Engineer' written on my CV with a big approving tick next to it. Very odd!
  • in reply to David Perry
    Totally agree and I'm not advocating the approach. I think the solicitors in question (central London, magic circle firm) had hundreds of applications for trainee solicitor roles from people who were all highly intelligent/Oxbridge types but no real experience to differentiate them. I suppose it was almost the equivalent of drawing straws (but with the possibility for bias/snobbery built in, so I'd personally prefer the straws).
  • in reply to Nina Waters
    Straws are much better. Although I do agree with rejecting those who watch Love Island, Eastenders, Big Brother,.,,..././.././m, mm,,klskkl (Time to duck)...... ;-)
  • in reply to Alys Martin
    Hi Alys

    I had forgotten all about this until I read your post, but I have also been asked what my father did - not parents, but father, because the man's job is obviously the one that counts. I was being interviewed by 2 men. One leaned across to the other and very quietly said, "She's applied for HR, not graduate trainee" but the the one who asked the question still wanted an answer. I was so taken aback I didn't have a ready reaction and said my father was retired. He pressed on and wanted to know what my father did before he retired. This was in 1998.
  • in reply to David Perry
    David - as long as they are recyclable paper straws or reusable metal ones..... ;)
  • I wonder what would happen if one of the candidates challenged the result and wanted to see the scores to ensure they weren't discriminated against during the recruitment process. How on earth would the company have been able to prove that "a hedgehog" is a worse answer than "a polecat" and therefore the latter candidate got the job. Recruiting based on such nonsense shows extreme lack of understanding of fair recruitment, but also opens the company up for a tribunal case and potential fines.

    P.S. I used to work with a lady who would have said "a hedgehog" in answer to that question, and I am still in touch with her after almost 5 years of leaving the job, because she is amazing!