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Benefits December 12, 2003
Why ARE Manhole Covers Round?
December 12, 2003 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - Whichever side
of the job interview you find yourself on, chances are you've
been asked some odd questions - but have you ever had to
opine on the shape of manhole covers?
Reported by Nevin E. Adams
“Asking a truly unexpected question will likely elicit a candid, unrehearsed response,” according to Liz Hughes, vice president of staffing service firm OfficeTeam. “As a bonus, the hiring manager will get a better sense of the person’s sense of humor and ability to think quickly.”
While you may think you’re ready for whatever might come your way, a national survey by OfficeTeam of the nation’s 1,000 largest companies has come up with some “doozies,” including:
- “Why are manhole covers round?”
- “What would I find in your refrigerator?”
- “Do you have air conditioning at home?”
- “How will taking this job change your life?”
- “What made you move to a backward city like this one?”
The survey also presented some sample “icebreaker” questions often used to warm things up, including:
- “What’s your favorite color?”
- “If you could be any animal, what would you be?”
- “If you were having a dinner party and could invite three famous people, who would they be?”
- “What’s the last book you read?”
What’s the strangest interview question YOU were ever asked? E-mail me at nevin.adams@plansponsor.com
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