WTF is the point of textbook copy/paste job interview questions?

[slugg]

So I have my big interview on Wednesday. I've been to the place twice already and they're pretty much begging me to work for them, so I'm willing to bet it's a done deal. We're just doing this interview to make the HR guys happy, I'm guessing. I'm sure there will be some technical stuff, but we've already gone through that at a deeper level than an interview (hence the job offer).

So I started studying those typical interview questions you get everywhere, such as:

• What's your greatest flaw?
• Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

... and so on.

Then it dawned on me... They know I know I'll have these questions. They know there is a formulaic, "correct" answer that you can study on the internet. They expect me to say it, instead of being myself. So what is the point? Seems like a gigantic waste of time and an unnecessary source of stress for both parties. I hate having to study them, when really, they're pointless. They hate having to ask them, when really, they're pointless.

Help me understand this, ATOT. You're my only hope.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

So I have my big interview on Wednesday. I've been to the place twice already and they're pretty much begging me to work for them, so I'm willing to bet it's a done deal. We're just doing this interview to make the HR guys happy, I'm guessing. I'm sure there will be some technical stuff, but we've already gone through that at a deeper level than an interview (hence the job offer).

So I started studying those typical interview questions you get everywhere, such as:

• What's your greatest flaw?
• Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

... and so on.

Then it dawned on me... They know I know I'll have these questions. They know there is a formulaic, "correct" answer that you can study on the internet. They expect me to say it, instead of being myself. So what is the point? Seems like a gigantic waste of time and an unnecessary source of stress for both parties. I hate having to study them, when really, they're pointless. They hate having to ask them, when really, they're pointless.

Help me understand this, ATOT. You're my only hope.

That's the way HR works. There are a set of hoops to jump through in a specified way and that's all they're interested in. They don't care if you're the best match for the job. They don't care if you're the next whiz kid. They don't care if you can do the work period.

 

[sandorski]

Perhaps the answers need changed up?

Answers

1) Lust for your Wife
2) Wearing your Wife's panties as a hat

Disclaimer: Poster is not responsible for the consequences of using these answers.

 

[PenguinPower]

That's the way bad HR works. There are a set of hoops to jump through in a specified way and that's all they're interested in. They don't care if you're the best match for the job. They don't care if you're the next whiz kid. They don't care if you can do the work period.

Fixed that for you.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Fixed that for you.

You're right, I've just never met any other kind.

 

[clamum]

I hate those type of questions but I just be myself and tell the truth. If it ain't good enough for them, fuck em.

 

[olds]

Q. What's your greatest flaw?
A. Asinine questions make me go on a murderous rampage.

 

[shortylickens]

The point of MOST question is to see how you answer them. And if you havent learned that by now then stop whining and learn how to fucking interview.

 

[slugg]

Q. What's your greatest flaw?
A. Asinine questions make me go on a murderous rampage.

Oh, I like this one!

 

[DrPizza]

Part of the point, that you might be overlooking, is that it helps weed out the people who are taking the job application process seriously, and the people who are lazy. I.e., from the interview, you can tell who came in prepared to be interviewed, and who doesn't really care enough (or isn't smart enough) to make every effort to present themselves as positively as possible.

Or, to put it another way, if someone isn't going to put 100% effort into the hiring process, what makes you sure that they're going to put a reasonable amount of effort into the job? "Do you have any questions for us?" You damn well better have questions, or I'm assuming you've done no homework about our company.

That said... after the first interview, I can't see what the purpose would be for such canned questions.

 

[Fingolfin269]

I'll ask maybe one of those questions but that's about it. I generally like to ask off the wall stuff just to see how quick people react, how is their sense of humor, etc. After all, if I'm going to be working with you for (hopefully) a long time you better have a sense of humor in addition to being able to do the job. The best teams are those that can get the job done and have a decent enough time with each other while doing it. No one wants to work with a jerk.