Gah...I need help!!! Random questions to ask during orientation!

[Nutdotnet]

Over the past few months our HR Staff (which I'm a part of) have been modifying our new employee orientation to make it a little more exciting and interactive.

Part of this is we have a small "game" where a new employee will draw a question out of a hat. They're all open-ended questions with no right or wrong answer...basically, they're a way to get to know the staff a little better, and to make them feel more comfortable.

The past couple orientations we've used questions out of a book, and...they've sucked. This time, I've been tasked with making up questions...and I've run out of ideas.

Here's what I have so far:

• What is the most interesting place that you have ever traveled to and what made this place so unique?

• Describe the best boss that you ever had (telling the group what they did that made them stand out).

• What made you select **** as your employer?

• My favorite thing to do in my spare time is _________________.

• Describe a time where you feel like you were able to make a big difference in someone?s life.

• Who was your favorite teacher? What made this teacher special?

• Name something (feature, trait, ability, etc.) about you that makes you unique.

• Who was your biggest role-model growing up?

I probably need a half-dozen more...if anyone has any SERIOUS suggestions, that would be great!

 

[Gibsons]

Is your ring finger longer than your index finger? You ask this to everyone, and it's kind of funny to everyone hold out their hands at once and look. It's sort of trivia, but it can start conversations. There's some biology behind the question too, but that's for google to answer.

 

[Nutdotnet]

Originally posted by: Gibsons
Is your ring finger longer than your index finger? You ask this to everyone, and it's kind of funny to everyone hold out their hands at once and look. It's sort of trivia, but it can start conversations. There's some biology behind the question too, but that's for google to answer.

Ooo...nice! Thanks!

 

[Lonyo]

Do you frequent the Anandtech forums?

 

[theprodigalrebel]

"YouTube is blocked here. Comments?"

 

[DainBramaged]

Originally posted by: theprodigalrebel
"YouTube is blocked here. Comments?"

<walks out of interview>

 

[Nutdotnet]

Originally posted by: theprodigalrebel
"YouTube is blocked here. Comments?"

Surprisngly, YouTube isn't blocked here...but just about everything else is.

 

[dquan97]

What is the one thing that no one else in the room has done?

 

[joecool]

honestly, all those questions are really stupid and exactly what i'd expect from an hr presentation. here's a thought - stick with boring (since no matter what you do, it will still be boring), but make it QUICK. the faster folks get in and out of the presentation, the faster they can get on with their lives.

 

[ChooChooChooseMe]

"Why shouldn't we fire you today?"

 

[Platypus]

If you noticed an employee with more seniority than you do something against company policy, would you report it?

That should be a good icebreaker

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Originally posted by: joecool
honestly, all those questions are really stupid and exactly what i'd expect from an hr presentation. here's a thought - stick with boring (since no matter what you do, it will still be boring), but make it QUICK. the faster folks get in and out of the presentation, the faster they can get on with their lives.

Amen, HR needs to skip the "Team building, icebreaking, personality trait" garbage and get on with what the people really want to know. How do benefits work, when do we get paid, what are the regulations we have to follow, what is the table of organization and, what is the average day like in our respective areas?

HR's one purpose is to do the grunt work that other devisions don't have the time for.

 

[jiggahertz]

I agree with joecool and magnus 100%. Those questions are horrible, especially for technical employees. I'm sure people in HR thinks it's a good idea from the loads of psych classes they took in school, but IMO those ice breaker activities are painful and a waste of everyones time.

 

[Jawo]

Originally posted by: Platypus
If you noticed an employee with more seniority than you do something against company policy, would you report it?

That should be a good icebreaker

Thats an awesome question.....

//but to what degree? (fraud, going to youtube?...)

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: theprodigalrebel
"YouTube is blocked here. Comments?"

"Do you monitor for proxy connections? How competent is your IT staff?"

 

[axelfox]

"Is your hand bigger than your face?"

 

[Cheesemoo]

Do you like this pic of my cat?

Where to meet girls other than bars?

What's your extension?

How much for Engagement Ring?

Why don't you drive a manual?

car battery problems?

Mythbusters to take on "the plane and the treadmill" conumdrum?

Anyone with an MBA degree?

Okay, where do I go with this?


and thats just a few to start off with........

 

[spidey07]

Yet another way I love to muck with HR people and interviewers.....

"so, how would you describe your company culture here? And how long do employees last in their current position? How long do mid-level manager last?"

Watch them dance and dance and dance some more. If they put the ball back in your court, IMMEDIATELY press them - So you're avoiding the question then? What would make you avoid that? Do tell me more.......*put on counselor hat to make the interviewer spill his guts using body language and open ended questions.*

 

[WW]

"Do you understand that HR is here to protect the company, and not you the employee? discuss....."