Strangest question ever asked at an interview?

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16-08-2007, 02:36 PM
FatBoyEric

Strangest question ever asked at an interview?

What's the strangest question ever asked of you at an interview?

I faced a panel of interviewers some while back, 3 or 4 Thais & 1 merkin farang chap. One of the Thais asked me how much alcohol I drank. So I took a long slow gulp from my hip flask whilst I pondered over an answer (joke). After a short while I asked them why the need for such a question. 'Because the school has had problems in the past with teachers frequently turning up for a days work, drunk', one retorted. I sympathised with them & gave them the answer that they obvioulsy wanted to hear.

PS. They offered me a job a few days later but at 5k per month less than the rate discussed at the interview. I told them that I needed to go for a drink to think about it. I think the irony was lost on them.
17-08-2007, 08:21 AM
barbaro

Quote:

Originally Posted by FatBoyEric

PS. They offered me a job a few days later but at 5k per month less than the rate discussed at the interview.

Was the higher 5K rate offered at the interview by the school?

Or, was it the higher 5K rate what you asked for?

I mean,

It was either a negotiation, or the school pulled a 'bait and witch' with the wage.
17-08-2007, 08:28 AM
FatBoyEric

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milkman

Quote:

Originally Posted by FatBoyEric

PS. They offered me a job a few days later but at 5k per month less than the rate discussed at the interview.

Was the higher 5K rate offered at the interview by the school?

Or, was it the higher 5K rate what you asked for?

The higher 5k rate was the one advertised and then re-confirmed at the school during the interview Q&A session. I assume they either thought I wasn't worth the full amount or trying to scam me. Needless to say I politely declined their most generous offer. I can't remember the name of the place now, but it was a boys school not a million miles from Khao-Sarn road. Opposite was a McDonadls resturant.
17-08-2007, 10:36 AM
WhiteLotusLane

Honestly? I think they should ask a whole lot more questions when hiring a teacher AND verify as much of the answers as possible.

If my kid was in school being instructed by a drunk/hung over sad farang **** then I'd do my very best to get him kicked out of the school and preferably the country.
17-08-2007, 10:48 AM
Gerbil

"Would you kill someone who deserved it?"

Took me back a bit one that and I wondered just why it was a job requirement for McDonalds. :bunny3:
17-08-2007, 10:57 AM
panama hat

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiteLotusLane

Honestly? I think they should ask a whole lot more questions when hiring a teacher AND verify as much of the answers as possible.

If my kid was in school being instructed by a drunk/hung over sad farang **** then I'd do my very best to get him kicked out of the school and preferably the country.

I don't think the implication was that this was the one and only question asked.
Can't blame the school for not wanting drunks as teachers, but with such an easy out . . . 'no, I'm a teetotal' I doubt anyone would give an honest answer . . . many jobs (not here, I don't think) now require blood tests for alcohol and drugs.
17-08-2007, 11:12 AM
FatBoyEric

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiteLotusLane

Honestly? I think they should ask a whole lot more questions when hiring a teacher AND verify as much of the answers as possible.

Yes honestly! This is Thailand, and it would seem to me that many education establishments here really don't care too much who they employ as long as they are a native speaker & look reasonably presentable. I guess they can't afford to be too picky because what is there to attract the serious teacher to practise their profession in Thailand? It can't be the money, as I suspect most places pay below 40k, it can't be career opportunities & development, as I suspect sush benefits aren't on offer to most Westereners, and it can't be the worldclass facilities, as I suspect there aren't many.

One Thai teacher who was responsible for recruitment at a previous place I worked bemoaned the fact that they weren't able to attract/ retian quality foreign teachers. So I gave it to her straight, what do you expect when you are only willing to pay 35k for 20 odd perioeds a week. She said that was a great salary compared to what the Thai teachers were earning. Maybe I said, but honestly, what Westerner wants to live like a Thai.
17-08-2007, 11:38 AM
ChiangMai noon

I always ask people if they are a missionary.
best to get that one out of the way.
17-08-2007, 12:32 PM
Begbie

Are you advertising a missionary position ?
17-08-2007, 02:33 PM
MeMock

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiangMai noon

I always ask people if they are a missionary.
best to get that one out of the way.

Why? Are they crap teachers?
17-08-2007, 02:59 PM
DJ Pat

"Why you stay Thailand?"

"You have Thai girlfriend?"

"You can eat spicy food?"
17-08-2007, 04:22 PM
Marmite the Dog

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeMock

Why? Are they crap teachers?

Yes, basically. Should all be rounded up and shot for doing the devil's work and trying to corrupt young people's minds with their nonsense.
17-08-2007, 04:29 PM
mad_dog

Are you married? We can find a wife for you (BKK government school)
17-08-2007, 04:51 PM
Marmite the Dog

Quote:

Originally Posted by mad_dog

Are you married?

Who is that aimed at?
18-08-2007, 07:18 PM
MagicLeaves

I've had the 'describe your perfect day' question - what a fucking pointless one
18-08-2007, 08:52 PM
mad_dog

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Quote:

Originally Posted by mad_dog

Are you married?

Who is that aimed at?

It was aimed at me. At 22 I was quite the dish.
18-08-2007, 10:28 PM
The Gentleman Scamp

I was once asked in a job interview - 'How far would I be willing to travel to work?'

'All the way" was my reply.
19-08-2007, 06:13 PM
FatBoyEric

Quote:

Originally Posted by MagicLeaves

I've had the 'describe your perfect day' question - what a fucking pointless one

That question is supposed to test how people think. But it's terribly asinine. Now you can pretend to think about an answer for a moment (eyes to the ceiling, chin resting on hand etc.) & then come up with something. Or merely stare blankly at the interviewer and say, straightfaced: 'Are you serious?'