‘Who would win in a fight, Superman or Batman?’: The bizarre questions asked in job interviews
Will there ever be a boy born who can swim faster than a shark
Harry ShukmanDo you sing in the bath? Which three celebs do you want to go on a night out with? Is a Jaffa Cake a cake or a biscuit?
These are the strangest questions slippery recruiters ask job interview hopefuls, says new research.
Unlucky applicants responded to a survey about the toughest moments they faced in front of prospective bosses.
Topping the list were infantile questions like “What type of ice cream are you?” and “If a hippo falls in a hole, how would you get it out?” according to the Association of Accounting Technicians.
Hapless candidates also reported being asked to perform tasks or role-play. One was asked to sing or improvise a scene from a film with a potential colleague.
Thirty per cent of respondents said they gave awkward or cringe answers, especially when faced with tricky questions like “What are your weaknesses?” and “Describe yourself in three words”.
The worst job interview questions
Would you rather know a lot about a little or a little about a lot?
Who would you invite to a dinner party?
Who would win in a fight Superman or Batman?
Who is your favourite Doctor Who?
Which video game character would I like to be and why?
Which three celebrities would you like to join for a night out?
Do you prefer to be right, or be liked?
Do you wear jeans outside of work?
What would you do if the Sun died out?
Are you a Coronation Street or EastEnders fan?
What would you do if you caught a member of staff kissing the boss?
What dinosaur would you like to be?
Was the book Frankenstein really about state control?
Please do an improvisation of a film (with potential co-worker)
Build a tower of paper cups in 1 minute that would not fall down when you put water in the top cup
Tell me 20 unique selling points about this BIC pen
Please bring a toy with you and explain how this reflects you as a person or a part of your personality
Is a Jaffa cake a cake or biscuit?
How do you feel about blood sports?
If a Hippo falls into a hole how would you get it out?
Do you like to sing in the bath?
Would you drive through an amber traffic light?
Some admitted bursting into tears, sweating profusely and forgetting what they were interviewing for mid-response as their job application nightmares.
Aimee Batemann of AAT said: “The range of random and sometime unbelievable questions or tasks candidates have been subjected to shows sometimes you just can’t predict what will be thrown at you.
“However, the best way to maintain composure and reduce the chances of embarrassment is to try to prepare for every possibility and be prepared to think on your feet if need be.”
For advice on how to boss a job interview according to a body language expert, click here.