NationStates Jolt Archive

I've filled out a few applications to corporations around the area recently, and for the most part the questions have been fine. Sure Blockbuster started me out with some English SAT questions, and Best Buy's quiz kept suspiciously repeating itself, but Target just won my prize for 'Who thought these questions were pertinent?"

Here at the two actual questions off the Target Application:

"11. The percentage of politicians that I think are honest is:

1 . 95% to 100%
2 . 90% to 94%
3 . 75% to 89%
4 . 50% to 74%
5 . Less than 50%"

and

"48. I believe that the percentage of the U.S. population that cheats when they fill out their federal tax returns is:

1 . 10% or less
2 . Less than 25%, but more than 10%
3 . 25% to 50%
4 . 51% to 75%
5 . 76% or more"

Mind you, I was applying to be a cashier or a cart wrangler. I now want the job of whoever makes these quizzes, because I could have so much fun making questions if these are the ones that got the O.K.

So NSG, what odd questions have you run into on job applications?

I've never filled out a job application. I usually walk right in to the chief head honcho and say, "Give me the damn job!!" But seeing questions such as these I'd be tempted to.

I've never filled out a job application. I usually walk right in to the chief head honcho and say, "Give me the damn job!!" But seeing questions such as these I'd be tempted to.I've never applied to a major corporation before, so I'm not sure if questions like these are normal. I got a hell of a kick out of them.

Asking about how honest you think others are might be a ploy to see how honest YOU are. IMNSHO I have noticed that people who assume "everyone" lies, cheats and steals often are cheating, stealing liars.

Asking about how honest you think others are might be a ploy to see how honest YOU are. IMNSHO I have noticed that people who assume "everyone" lies, cheats and steals often are cheating, stealing liars.

A very good observation. Those who believe everyone is basically a cheater or a thief will find no self-recrimination or nothing wrong in cheating or stealing for themselves.

But if someone makes it a habit to steal and cheat, won't he or she be shrewd enough to simply give the most desirable answers instead of the answers which most fit their psyche?

Asking about how honest you think others are might be a ploy to see how honest YOU are. IMNSHO I have noticed that people who assume "everyone" lies, cheats and steals often are cheating, stealing liars.

Then how can I be a cynic, and yet I don't like, steal or cheat?

Asking about how honest you think others are might be a ploy to see how honest YOU are. IMNSHO I have noticed that people who assume "everyone" lies, cheats and steals often are cheating, stealing liars.Yeah, but they already had the standard questions about how honest you think most people are, and whether or not people would steal if they could. Why throw in two horridly specific questions? Maybe just to get my attention. They accomplished that.

Then how can I be a cynic, and yet I don't like, steal or cheat?
You did see the word "often" in my post, I assume?

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=define%3A+often&btnG=Google+Search&aq=f&oq=

But if someone makes it a habit to steal and cheat, won't he or she be shrewd enough to simply give the most desirable answers instead of the answers which most fit their psyche?
In my experience, usually not. But YMMV.

But if someone makes it a habit to steal and cheat, won't he or she be shrewd enough to simply give the most desirable answers instead of the answers which most fit their psyche?

No, when I was in college taking business classes I found that most people tell the absolute truth to the best of their ability on a resume. Even if they are a liar... weird huh? The desire for the job drives them to be totally honest, or something like that...

The banks I applied for had some maths and stats question (fine), some reading comprehension questions (fine) and an IQ-test type thing alá "which weird shape comes next" (also fine). Then they had a 110 question MCQ personality thing that asked you to click the one that applies most and the one that applies least. That was tricky, and cheating was virtually impossible by virtue of it being so many questions, some repeating themselves with slightly different wording and so on. For someone to create a consistent set of dishonest responses requires so much brains, they probably deserve the job by virtue of that.

No politics in that though, but of course the whole "I think people are generally honest" stuff.

I know some guys that worked for the MoD in their gap year, and they were asked on the application form, "Have you ever partaken in terrorist activities?". Brilliant.

I know some guys that worked for the MoD in their gap year, and they were asked on the application form, "Have you ever partaken in terrorist activities?". Brilliant.

Given the ridiculously broad definition of terrorism under UK law, they probably had.

Oddest interview questions I've had...

Are you a cat or a dog person?

What do your friends say about you?

Neither of these are relevant to work.

Oddest interview questions I've had...

Are you a cat or a dog person?

What do your friends say about you?

Neither of these are relevant to work.
They want to know if you're going to shoot them all in a fit of pique or if you're going to be the clingy stalker.

Some of the questions I still can't believe some employers are asking pertain to the 'do not' list. The list of questions you are not, under human rights law, under employment law, under the freaking Charter allowed to ask. Such as religious affiliation, marital status, political belief, presence or absence of children, ethnic origin and so forth. Casually dropped into the interview. I want to reach out and smack these employers for endangering the validity of their whole interview process.

Some of the questions I still can't believe some employers are asking pertain to the 'do not' list. The list of questions you are not, under human rights law, under employment law, under the freaking Charter allowed to ask. Such as religious affiliation, marital status, political belief, presence or absence of children, ethnic origin and so forth. Casually dropped into the interview. I want to reach out and smack these employers for endangering the validity of their whole interview process.
You could just looked pained and confused and say, "I'm sorry... I thought it was illegal to ask that..."

You could just looked pained and confused and say, "I'm sorry... I thought it was illegal to ask that..."

Ha...these are stories from law firms asking these questions...of all the professions that should know better...

I've heard that Google asks some interesting questions, such as "How many degrees are between the big and little hand on an analog clock at 3:15"

I've heard that Google asks some interesting questions, such as "How many degrees are between the big and little hand on an analog clock at 3:15"

Correct answer being: "Who uses analog clocks these days?"

I know some guys that worked for the MoD in their gap year, and they were asked on the application form, "Have you ever partaken in terrorist activities?". Brilliant.

ahhh... that would be the security questionnaire. Depending on security clearance going for, they do check those. If you're honest about these things you'll be better off than if you lie on the form. Especially if the incident/association is minor (e.g. being friends with a guy who later turned our involved with terrorism). If you lie on those you'll never get any sort of security clearance ever again.

Edit: bad example originally

ahhh... that would be the security questionnaire. Depending on security clearance going for, they do check those. If you're honest about these things you'll be better off than if you lie on the form. Especially if the incident is minor (e.g. taking part in protest as a youth). If you lie on those you'll never get any sort of security clearance ever again.

Going on a protest is now a 'terrorist activity'?

When I applied as a sound monkey, I was asked how quickly I can down a pint of beer and other silly questions, on the form no less. :D They really don't take their job seriously.

Going on a protest is now a 'terrorist activity'?

If it's with a group associated with, for example, "eco-terrorism", especially if it turned violent, may raise questions (I think it's covered by a different question though, so bad example). Like I say, minor incidents that shouldn't disqualify you as long as you're honest.

If it's with a group associated with, for example, "eco-terrorism", especially if it turned violent, may raise questions (I think it's covered by a different question though, so bad example). Like I say, minor incidents that shouldn't disqualify you as long as you're honest.But the question, "Have you ever partaken in terrorist activities?", is too black and white. I wouldn't consider a protest as 'terrorist' in any sense of the word, and would answer the question 'no.' Even being friends with someone who becomes connected with terrorism is a no; I personally didn't do anything in that case. If they are going to do the background work anyway, what's it matter anyhow? Do the background check and ask me specifics, rather than extremely vague questions in a pseudo trap to get me to lie.

I've heard that Google asks some interesting questions, such as "How many degrees are between the big and little hand on an analog clock at 3:15"
none, I believe.

none, I believe.See I was thinking 7.5 degrees because the little hand should be a quarter of the way to the four. I tend to over think this sort of thing though.

none, I believe.

Nope. On an analog clock, the hour hand moves slightly each minute. At 3:15, the hour hand has moved 1/4 of the way between the 3 and the 4, while the minute hand would be exactly on the 3. There's a 7.5 degree difference.

I got it wrong too.

Other questions they ask:

How many times a day does a clock’s hands overlap?
You are shrunk to the height of a nickel and your mass is proportionally reduced so as to maintain your original density. You are then thrown into an empty glass blender. The blades will start moving in 60 seconds. What do you do?
Explain a database in three sentences to your eight-year-old nephew
How many piano tuners are there in the entire world?

cool....and dunno. Except I think I'd answer "the tango" for the second one.

How many times a day does a clock’s hands overlap?
You are shrunk to the height of a nickel and your mass is proportionally reduced so as to maintain your original density. You are then thrown into an empty glass blender. The blades will start moving in 60 seconds. What do you do?
Explain a database in three sentences to your eight-year-old nephew
How many piano tuners are there in the entire world?Those are some intense questions! Especially the blender one.

The clock's hands overlap 24 times in a day don't they?

A very good observation. Those who believe everyone is basically a cheater or a thief will find no self-recrimination or nothing wrong in cheating or stealing for themselves.

Untrue. He or she could think him/herself superior to others and therefor refuse to do such things.

Those are some intense questions! Especially the blender one.

The clock's hands overlap 24 times in a day don't they?

I love the blender one...haha

Assuming the day starts at exactly 12:00:00, they overlap 23 times. The 24th time would be part of the new day

I love the blender one...haha

Assuming the day starts at exactly 12:00:00, they overlap 23 times. The 24th time would be part of the new dayYou win this round, clock...

How many times a day does a clock’s hands overlap?

22 times. Also look at the 3:15 question ;)

You are shrunk to the height of a nickel and your mass is proportionally reduced so as to maintain your original density. You are then thrown into an empty glass blender. The blades will start moving in 60 seconds. What do you do?

Sit back and relax. The blender blades are far above nickelsized me.
Well, that or die due to my body being horribly malformed in the shrinking.

Explain a database in three sentences to your eight-year-old nephew

Tricky. Can we use visual aides ?

How many piano tuners are there in the entire world?
"Let me check google" (http://letmegooglethatforyou.com/?q=How+many+piano+tuners+are+there+in+the+entire+world%3F")

Andy and Bob have £21 between them. Andy has £20 pounds more than Bob. How much money does Bob have?

Andy and Bob have £21 between them. Andy has £20 pounds more than Bob. How much money does Bob have?About $1.49 with the current market.

22 times. Also look at the 3:15 question ;)

they will still overlap. Just not at exactly 3:15

they will still overlap. Just not at exactly 3:15

Correct - but not 24 or 23 times in total. The 11 o clock becomes a problem.

Correct - but not 24 or 23 times in total. The 11 o clock becomes a problem.
Ah...yep...you're right. You bitch ;)

I agree with Katganistan, they're trying to find out stuff about you, based on your perception of the world.

Correct - but not 24 or 23 times in total. The 11 o clock becomes a problem.Edit: Nevermind.

Andy and Bob have £21 between them. Andy has £20 pounds more than Bob. How much money does Bob have?

£0.50

You'd think it would be harder than forumulating an easy algebraic equation but no.

As for the blender one, I'm going with lie down.

I've filled out a few applications to corporations around the area recently, and for the most part the questions have been fine. Sure Blockbuster started me out with some English SAT questions, and Best Buy's quiz kept suspiciously repeating itself, but Target just won my prize for 'Who thought these questions were pertinent?"

Here at the two actual questions off the Target Application:

"11. The percentage of politicians that I think are honest is:

1 . 95% to 100%
2 . 90% to 94%
3 . 75% to 89%
4 . 50% to 74%
5 . Less than 50%"

and

"48. I believe that the percentage of the U.S. population that cheats when they fill out their federal tax returns is:

1 . 10% or less
2 . Less than 25%, but more than 10%
3 . 25% to 50%
4 . 51% to 75%
5 . 76% or more"

Mind you, I was applying to be a cashier or a cart wrangler. I now want the job of whoever makes these quizzes, because I could have so much fun making questions if these are the ones that got the O.K.

So NSG, what odd questions have you run into on job applications?

Those sound suspiciously like patriotism/political loyalty tests.:mad:

But the question, "Have you ever partaken in terrorist activities?", is too black and white. I wouldn't consider a protest as 'terrorist' in any sense of the word, and would answer the question 'no.' Even being friends with someone who becomes connected with terrorism is a no; I personally didn't do anything in that case. If they are going to do the background work anyway, what's it matter anyhow? Do the background check and ask me specifics, rather than extremely vague questions in a pseudo trap to get me to lie.

Which is a good point, which is why (remembering back to the last time I filled out this questionnaire), the actual question is "have you ever, or knowingly associated with people who have, engaged in terrorist activities". You;re right though, the questions are quite vague, which is why at higher levels of security clearance they actually interview you as well.

Those sound suspiciously like patriotism/political loyalty tests.:mad:

Yes, Romulan! If you are too cynical and say that everyone is a crook or too gullible some stores won't hire you. It's best to be bland:
Err! I think most people are honest but you always need to be chareful and check that you are giving the exact change
My son flunked a fast food quiz on honesty because he got too philosophical.

You are shrunk to the height of a nickel and your mass is proportionally reduced so as to maintain your original density. You are then thrown into an empty glass blender. The blades will start moving in 60 seconds. What do you do?My strength is proportionally increased, so I could perhaps jump out (barring air friction).
And there's also a good chance I could climb up the glass.

Here at the two actual questions off the Target Application:

"11. The percentage of politicians that I think are honest is:

1 . 95% to 100%
2 . 90% to 94%
3 . 75% to 89%
4 . 50% to 74%
5 . Less than 50%"

and

"48. I believe that the percentage of the U.S. population that cheats when they fill out their federal tax returns is:

1 . 10% or less
2 . Less than 25%, but more than 10%
3 . 25% to 50%
4 . 51% to 75%
5 . 76% or more"

I think these questions can tell you a lot about a potential employee. Anyone who answers over 90% for the first question or less than 10% for the second is obviously retarded or not paying attention. Meanwhile, anyone who answers less than 50% to the first question or more than 50% for the second is too cynical: believing that lying and cheating are common, this person is unlikely to uphold a strong ethical code her/himself.