43 Things Actually Said in Job Interviews

Hiring managers shared these interview responses from 43 memorable job interviews:


"I'm not wanted in this state."

"How many young women work here?"

"I didn't steal it; I just borrowed it."

"You touch somebody and they call it sexual harassment!"

"I've never heard such a stupid question."

Why did you leave your last job?
"I have a problem with authority."

Tell us about a problem you had with a co-worker and how you resolved it
"The resolution was we were both fired."

What kind of computer software have you used?
"Computers? Are those the black boxes that sit on the floor next to the desks? My boss has one of those. He uses it. I don't have one. He just gives me my schedule and I follow it."

What are your hobbies and interests?
"Well, as you can see, I'm a young, virile man and I'm single -- if you ladies know what I'm saying.' Then he looked at one of the fair-haired board members and said, 'I particularly like blondes.'"

Why should we hire you?
"I would be a great asset to the events team because I party all the time."

Do you have any questions?
"Cross-dressing isn't a problem is it?"

"If you were a fruit, what fruit would you be?"

"What do you want me to do if I cannot walk to work if it's raining? Can you pick me up?"

I was a chamber of commerce executive once hiring a secretary. The candidate asked, "What does a chamber of commerce do?"

"Can we wrap this up fairly quickly? I have someplace I have to go."

"What is your company's policy on Monday absences?"

"If this doesn't work out can I call you to go out sometime?"

"How big do the bonuses really get once you make associate? I hear it's some serious cash."

"Can my dad call you to talk about the job and the training program? He is really upset I'm not going to medical school and wants someone to explain the Wall Street path to him." –

"If I get an offer, how long do I have before I have to take the drug test?"

"When you do background checks on candidates, do things like public drunkenness arrests come up?"

"Can I get a tour of the breast pumping room? I heard you have a great one here and while I don't plan on having children for at least 10 or 12 years, I will definitely breast-feed and would want to use that room."

"So, how much do they pay you for doing these interviews?"

Why are you leaving your current job?
"Because I (expletive) my pants every time I enter the building."

"I was fired from my last job because they were forcing me to attend anger management classes."

Why are you looking for a job?
"Cigarettes are getting more expensive, so I need another job."

"My parents told me I need to get a job so that is why I'm here."

Why do you want to work for us?
"Just for the benefits."

"My old boss didn't like me, so one day, I just left and never came back. And here I am!"

"I saw the job posted on Twitter and thought, why not?"

What are your strengths?
"Well, I do own a bike."

What are your weaknesses?
"I get angry easily and I went to jail for domestic violence. But I won't get mad at you."

"I often oversleep and have trouble getting out of bed in the morning."

"I am an alcoholic and do not deserve this job."

"I'm really not a big learner. You know . . . some people love learning and are always picking up new things, but that's just not me. I'd much rather work at a place where the job is pretty stagnant and doesn't change a lot."

When have you demonstrated leadership skills?
"Well my best example would be in the world of online video gaming. I pretty much run the show; it takes a lot to do that."

Is there anything else I should know about you?
"You should probably know I mud wrestle on the weekends."

When can you start?
"I need to check with my mom on that one."

Use three adjectives to describe yourself
"I hate questions like this."

Tell of a time you made a mistake and how you dealt with it.
"I stole some equipment from my old job, and I had to pay for its replacement." –

Have you submitted your two weeks' notice to your current employer?
"What is two weeks' notice? I've never quit a job before, I've always been fired."

Random responses:
"One guy said 'it would probably be best' if I didn't run a background check on him. Of course, I did, and learned all about his long, sordid past of law-breaking. Our client actually offered him a job as a staff accountant, but quickly retracted the offer when I had to tell them all about his recent arrest for a meth lab in his basement."

"A guy said he did not have a mailing address, as he was living in a gypsy camp at the airport."

"Wow -- I'm not used to wearing dress shoes! My feet are killing me. Can I show you these bloody blisters?"

During a telephone call to schedule the interview: "Can we meet next month? I am currently incarcerated."

A candidate asked whether he could advocate impartially on behalf of the various universities he would be representing since he had attended one of them. He responded, "Well, I don't like to poop where I eat, but I thought my education sucked, so I certainly wouldn't put that school above the others."