A curveball interview question threw me.

21 Comments

1. AnonymousSeptember 23,2021 at 3:03PM UTC

   ...and I should add here that I still want the job and hope that my answer was okay...

2. AnonymousSeptember 23,2021 at 3:54PM UTC

   I don't see it as an offensive question. I see it as a way to
   you to picture yourself working there as your true self and verbalize for them something to look forward about you.

   There are many "right" answers based on the job, examples:
   -You will learn that I really value communication and feedback...bla bla bla
   -Something you might learn about me 6 months from now is that I'm very productive and satisfied with order and organization to excel at my job.
   -Six months from now, you may learn about my love for contemporary art and country music, It's a big influence it in my work etc...bla bla
   -Six months from now you might learn about my passion for table tennis and that I like to do that after work.

   In my opinion, I would answer that question taking in consideration how serious or relaxed the people in the interview seem. Answer truthfully and make it about how you see yourself 6 months in the job. Do you see yourself confidently doing the job, socially connected to colleagues, prepared, busy?

   For me, I would answer: "You might learn that I care about connecting with people and forming friendships. It's important for me to have meaningful relationships at work and not just be a robotic worker. We spend so much time at work and think so much getting things done, that we don't realize that getting along with others and sharing good times helps morale, team building and communication."

   I would not regret saying that, even if they reject me or don't offer me the job. Because in my heart I know what I want from my work environment and career goals. I want rapport from my colleagues because it makes working and challenges easier to bear. Rapport is the foundation of networking. When I don't have that, I stuggle with my work.

   What did you say?

3. AnonymousSeptember 23,2021 at 4:01PM UTC

   I said that I've been told that I am very funny, and it takes me a while to let that side of myself show with new people. No practical jokes, just observational humor that resonates with a broad range of humans and makes them laugh. I think it was okay. Thank you.

4. AnonymousSeptember 23,2021 at 4:06PM UTC

   That's a great answer! Humor is a great asset. I love working with people who have a sense of humor. Excellent! Good Luck! Hope you get the job!

5. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistSeptember 25,2021 at 6:15PM UTC

   I think that's a great answer! Work is stressful enough - I think working with someone with a sense of humor makes it a little bit easier.

6. Anita GetzSeptember 23,2021 at 3:55PM UTC

   I would of said something like I actually have a fun side, not always serious all the time, or I have a good sense of humors. My first instinct would be to say I tend to be somewhat of a workaholic. Best of luck

7. AnonymousSeptember 23,2021 at 4:02PM UTC

   Bingo on the first one, which was the gist of my reply. Thank you.

8. AnonymousSeptember 23,2021 at 3:58PM UTC
   That's an interesting question. I might think it's an opportunity for a candidate to expose a red flag, or conversely to talk themselves up. Answering for myself off the cuff: "you would learn that I am highly focused and deeply passionate about what I do". Some people may also choose to reveal a lighter side: "I love hiking and have climbed all ." I would like to know about the racial lens; are you thinking they are biased and that they're expecting something illicit - or, more like the "lighter side" might be judged through a cultural lens; I self-censor as the (most often) only woman at the table, and often as the only technical (think geeky) person at the table. So, I wouldn't say "I like to go birding and play strategy board games", nor would I say "I like to garden and crochet". I'd also hope they're not trying to glean illegal information - age, family status, etc. If I can't bond with the people (typical for me) I keep it very work related. I did once tell someone I was getting married (I needed the time off) but made it clear we weren't going to be starting a family. I ask this because I'm liking this question, but diversity is extremely important to me (both in hiring and in life) and I don't like making candidates uncomfortable. Our interview process is already uncomfortable (panel interview) so I tend to stick to technical questions, but my boss asked a young woman about where she saw herself in 10 years, and it was very cringey to me, so I'd love to feed him alternative "soft" questions to ask. I think any answer that was vague and professional or light but not over-sharing would be great. I'm sure your answer was fine.
9. AnonymousSeptember 23,2021 at 4:09PM UTC

   I had a job interview where the supervisor asked me:
   "How do you deal with difficult people."
   I had 3 interviews and different people asked me that same question every time. In hindsight, It was a red flag, because the company was filled with divas and aggressive difficult and disrespectful people.

10. AnonymousSeptember 23,2021 at 4:12PM UTC

    My current job, during the interview, the manager interviewed me at a taco place, and he said to me
    "I'm a communist. How do you feel about that?"

    I was so shocked and caught off guard, I didn't know what to say, so I said: "Uh, I have nothing against you."

    It was weird. I did get the job. The guy was my manager for a few years and was extremely nervous and micromanaging.

    I feel like there are worst interview questions out there.

11. AnonymousSeptember 23,2021 at 4:14PM UTC

    I would answer how some comments say below, about fun side or humor etc.

    But I would go further and ask them, "what is something I might learn about all of you six months from now?"

    Based on how they answer, will give you clues about the people and culture.

12. Susan RoblesSeptember 23,2021 at 4:31PM UTC

    This company is reading too many trendy interview guides. However, my answer I think would be that you'd know how authentic and honest I'm being during this interview process.

13. Vanessa B.September 23,2021 at 4:32PM UTC

    I was asked this question during an interview. My response was similar to " You will find that I am consistently dedicated to my work; what you see is what you get; I intentionally do not involve myself in office politics and my family comes first." Somthing like that... I know because ppl still remind me of it. LOL!

14. Trie AngelevaSeptember 23,2021 at 4:54PM UTC

    So many questions are designed to identify quick and creative thinking, and in this case, to pick up on any body language that could indicate if there were something a candidate hoped wouldn't come to light, or to see how much of one's personal life might impact their work.

15. Joy CorbinSeptember 23,2021 at 5:23PM UTC

    That I have 3 adult children? haha...

16. AnonymousSeptember 23,2021 at 5:25PM UTC

    I like this question. I think it is designed to make the candidate think on the spot and get an unguarded response. It also would show self-awareness.

17. Nicole ChristensenSeptember 23,2021 at 6:47PM UTC

    Wow, that question would throw me as well. I would take this question from the perspective of the way we learn more about individuals through quality relationships. Perhaps a better wording may have been to add in the clarification about relationship building. ... If hired, 6 months from now when we have gotten to know each other better (learned about families, goals, aspirations, etc.) what is one thing I might know about you that we don't today. It is still a relatively awkward question, but I would hope that is the aim.

18. Andrea TibbettsSeptember 23,2021 at 7:27PM UTC

    I would want to hear a response like I am resilient, or that I am a team player, or I can accept change and grow with the company.

19. AnonymousSeptember 25,2021 at 1:15PM UTC

    Oh, I love this question! I think I'll begin using it.

20. Healthcare workerSeptember 28,2021 at 1:27PM UTC

    I see so many people praising this question as if it’s ohh so insightful, but honestly it’s just a fancy dressed up gotcha question. In six months there are so many things you will learn about another person that you cannot possibly glean from a brief interview that is like a first date where all involved are putting their best version of themselves forward. Six months into a relationship, any relationship, is when the sparkly newness wears off so you will be past the enthralled stage and into seeing each other realistically. Truthfully it tells me the company likes the shiny new relationship part and has felt let down when that honeymoon stage wears off and they are dealing with a real, not idealized, person. So the information I think this question is meant to glean is less important than what I think this question reveals. I wouldn’t be surprised to find out they have a high turnover rate around the six month to one year mark.

21. Monica Lynn SadlerSeptember 28,2021 at 8:33PM UTC

    I tend to agree that it's just a question designed to stump you. As one who has also been on both sides of the fence, I find that question a complete waste of time.