Stupid Interview Questions

Not a funny interview but one of self actualizaion.

In 2013 I ran a small-scale calibration shop. Small in size; we measured up to highway truck weights. I was there to renew our 9001 and 17025 certs but also to be the GM. We had a fleet tracking tool in the trucks I could see in real-time where they all were to assist dispatch. After a few months we started losing money as employees feared new ownership and our service level went down so I was let go in under a year. Ouch that hurt

I saw an ad for a product manager for the fleet tracking software. I said, hey I used that a bit and know the basics. Big mistake.

They offered an interview but they requested I play with the software first and give a 45-minute sales demo to the team to see if I would be a good salesperson (Im not a salesperson type. I am introverted and technical) I said ok and started experimenting with the software for 1 week. I understood most of the parts I used before but trying to learn how complex software works via a manual is hell.

Interview day comes and I am to give the demo virtually using GoTo Meeting. The meeting (demo) started "well." I used my own personal story to lay the groundwork. Went into an overview and headed for the part I knew really well.

At about this time, I realized I DO NOT WANT THIS JOB. The interview was weird in that I could not see my audience and I felt I was being judged (Rightfully so) but I also realized, holy crap I DO NOT LIKE THIS TYPE OF WORK!

Needless to say I didnt get the job but the interviewer said "How do you think the presentation went?" I said I thought it started weak and ended poorly. He agreed. I then said I realized mid presentation I dont want this job. We both had a laugh and we thanked each other for their time.

In 2006 I gave some advice to interviewees: Thinking about a New Job for New Year? | Page 2 (elsmar.com)

"How much alcohol can you drink, son?"

Suffice to say, they asked the most important questions to me first I suppose.

I was once asked the following: If we lift a rope that circles the globe a teh equator by 4 inches how much do we increase the length of the rope?

I almost always asked engineering, scientists and statisticians the “Monty hall” qestion: There are 3 doors and there is a truck behind one door and a goat behind each of the 2 other doors. You select one of the 3 doors and tell me which one you selected. Then I will open one of the other two doors to reveal a goat. (I will never open the door you selected.). I then ask if they want to switch or stay….and Did your odds of winning the truck stay the same, increase or decrease? Tell my how you figured the odds? It never mattered if they got hte answer right or not. Waht mattered was their though process and hwo they reacted when I told them the answer…

I recently had an engineering interview where I was asked if I knew the color of the floor. Without thinking much, I confidently answered "yes, it's green." However, the interviewer then explained that the question was actually meant to test my ability to listen carefully and answer questions accurately.

It turns out that the question was objective and the interviewer only wanted to know if I knew the color of the floor or not. In retrospect, I should have asked for clarification to ensure that I understood the question correctly before answering.

This experience taught me the importance of listening carefully to the questions being asked and providing accurate answers. In an engineering interview, it's important to pay attention to details and communicate effectively. Don't be afraid to ask for clarification or additional information if you need it.

Bev D said:

I was once asked the following: If we lift a rope that circles the globe a teh equator by 4 inches how much do we increase the length of the rope?

I almost always asked engineering, scientists and statisticians the “Monty hall” qestion: There are 3 doors and there is a truck behind one door and a goat behind each of the 2 other doors. You select one of the 3 doors adn tell me which one you selected. Then I will open one of the other two doors to reveal a goat. (I will never open the door you selected.). Did your odds of winning the truck stay the same, increase or decrease? Tell my how you figured the odds? It never mattered if they got hte answer right or not. Waht mattered was their though process and hwo they reacted when I told them the answer…

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There are software simulations that provide the rather counter intuitive answer.

Where i work now first question was can i wear wellies. Always wonder what would have happened if i'd have said no???

Several available on the googles…

the simplest answer is that since your original odds of picking a goat is 2 in 3, if you switch you will go to the truck 2 out of 3 times.

I seriously dislike these "Marilyn vos Savant" type questions during job interviews. They are fine for water-cooler discussions, but they are not practical. Besides, why am I being hired by someone who sits around watching old daytime TV game shows?

Wait until you hear stupid dribble asked by lawyers when you're testifying

"Well Sgt Daily, just how drunk was my client, was he falling down drunk or as he seems now?" (The judge had the bailiff check him out. Yep, snockered. The lawyer went on to become an Assistant US Attorney General)