'What kitchen utensil would you be?': 25+ of the Worst Job Interview Questions

Author image for Elna McHilderson
Elna McHilderson • Managing Editor
Mar 24, 2024 9:00 AM EDT

Imagine getting asked what kind of tree you think you would be while interviewing for a welder position?… 

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  • Are you job hunting? Or have you ever been in the market for a new career? Applying is already stressful, but then comes the interview part and that can be even more nerve-wracking. You can Google interview questions all you want and practice your little shpeal in the mirror for hours, but they always seem to come at you with a curve ball that catches you off guard. So what do you do?

    Well, you would assume whatever questions they ask are about the job, so as long as you're applying for a job you would be confident in, then you could probably handle any questions they ask. Right? WRONG. Why? Because some entitled heinous interviewers love to ask pointless questions that have no other purpose than to throw you off your game. You are applying for a blue-collar physical labor job? Then why did they ask you who your favorite Disney character is? Interview for an HR position? You better know why manholes are round… 

    See the ridiculous questions people have been asked during job interviews below! And get more workplace drama here.

  • 01
    "Give me 3 reasons why a manhole cover is round." (It was for a role in HR...)
    via Amtec Photos via Flickr

    Puffyshirt216

  • 02
    What is the stupidest question you have been asked in an interview? I recently had an interview where the interviewer asked me if I have engineering aptitude. This is after reviewing my resume that shows I have a bachelors and masters degree, several projects under my belt, winning designing competitions and 1 year of work experience in related field. When I did explain my experiences (which btw all relate to the job field) and used proper engineering terms while explaining, he said yeah "but th
    via Cute_n_lazy
  • 03
    Thowedthrowaway 18 hr. ago worst interview I ever had Walked into the interviewer's office and saw that she was reading my resume in her hand. We both sit down, and she stares at me for about 5 seconds. She then asks, "Are you going to offer me a copy of your resume?" I tell her, "I didn't think to do so because I saw that you were reading it when I walked in." She freaks out and yells to me that I still should have offered her a copy of my stupid resume.
    via Thowedthrowaway
  • 04
    SuchResearcher4200. 18 hr. ago What kitchen utensil would you be and why.
    via SuchResearcher4200
  • 05
    IndependenceMean8774 18 hr. ago I had one ' nutball interviewer ask me if I would be able to handle the weeds around his store. Which would've been all well and good if I was applying for a gardening or landscaping position. But I wasn't. I was applying for a computer sales/front desk customer service position at a computer store in a local city.
    via IndependenceMean8774
  • 06
    On and on he went about the weeds, like he was at war with them or something. And I'm thinking, like, dude, this is a computer sales position. Shouldn't you be asking me stuff about computers? He barely did. I've never been more happy to not get a job in my life. Sometimes rejection is a good thing.
    via IndependenceMean8774
  • 07
    • MoneyN86 18 hr. ago Best actor portraying Batman. I answered Keaton because he is the first Batman I watched and liked the Tim Burton version as a kid. Hiring manager was delighted to hear that as she couldn't stand Bale and how he was always the popular choice. I almost pumped my fist. I still didn't get the job.
    via MoneyN86
  • 08
    aries2084 18 hr. ago She asked me who would win in a fight a dragon or unicorn? I said they are both magical and beautiful and should not be fighting (it was an education leadership role so I was thinking in terms of students and perceptions). She answered No. because dragons are evil, i didn't get the offer lol
    via aries2084
  • 09
    pocketfulofcharm 18 hr. ago I had an interview a few weeks ago and the last question was 'if you were an emoji, which one would you be?' Thought that was kinda weird. 29 Reply Share Professional-Wolf990 17 hr. ago "Right now, I am a rolling eyes emoji."
    via pocketfulofcharm
  • 10
    Ohnoherewego13 . 17 hr. ago "What are your work-related hobbies?" Nah, man. Work ends at 5. I don't want to do hobbies that relate to that after work.
    via Ohnoherewego13
  • 11
    • Street-Nothing9404 · 17 hr. ago "If you were a tree what kind of tree would you be?" I was already done with the interview. my answer: "The one that's in the part of the park where no dogs are allowed and I can't get ped on"
    via Street-Nothing9404
  • 12
    • Big-Perspective-9480 17 hr. ago What is your Spirit Animal? Which super hero would you be and why? (Same interviewer)
    via Big-Perspective-9484
  • 13
    No_Reach8985 · 16 hr. ago "What does your husband think about you applying here?" Along with: "How did you even get an interview here? Do you know someone?" It was with Deloitte.
    via No_Reach8985
  • 14
    SalukiMarbs 17 hr. ago • "Tell me about the worst boss you've ever had" 13 Reply Share Cute_n_lazy OP 17 hr. ago. Seems like a trick question to me
    via SalukiMarbs
  • 15
    tolo4daboys 16 hr. ago OK, so I'm old enough and lived in the Deep South (USA) long enough that this might not have been that uncommon in the day. I was in my last semester of college and interviewing for my first professional job (IT). The interview process was going smoothly, and I felt pretty positive about the company and the role. I got to the assistant director of the department,
    via tolo4daboys
  • 16
    and he was the textbook old Southern gentleman. He was asking me a series of questions about my fit for the role and getting to know me when, out of the blue, he asked "Have you accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal savior?". I wanted (and got) the job, so without missing a beat, I said of course. We never spoke about it again. I'm still an atheist.
    via tolo4daboys
  • 17
    LittleCatFarts · 18 hr. ago I have a direct report that when he interviews people, he asks them to sell the pen like Wolf on Wall Street. Cringy as . They are not directly sales positions either (blue collar work).
    via LittleCatFarts
  • 18
    Every_Contribution_8 · 18 hr. ago If you could be any fruit, which one, and why? (R&D at the McDowell's inspo). They passed on me.
    via Every_Contribution_8
  • 19
    Yesitsmesuckas 17 hr. ago • If you were a color, what would it be? 7 Reply Share • Jitterbug26 15 hr. ago What do they even learn by a question like that???
    via yesitsmesuckas
  • 20
    . flandyow 16 hr. ago I had an interview at a VERY small company (~5 people). It was this guy who thought very high and mighty of himself who apparently only hired women. Not only did he make fun of my school I just graduated from (because it wasn't ivy League), but asked about my plans on starting a family because he didn't want to hire me and have me leave like the last person. It's super illegal to ask that. I could not get out of there fast enough. I guess he scared all the other candidates
    via flandyow
  • 21
    nd1818 15 hr. ago Had a male CEO ask how I would make sure my voice is heard as a woman in a male dominated field (not verbatim, can't remember the exact nonsense). MF, what culture do YOU foster where that is the question that is top of mind? This was for an individual contributor tech sales position at a company big enough that the CEO being directly involved in the hiring process was its own red flag.
    via nd1818
  • 22
    • Primary_Difficulty19 18 hr. ago In 1990, right out of college, interviewing for a computer programming job - "What kind of car do you want to be driving five years from now?"
    via Primary_Difficulty19
  • 23
    Efficient-Field733. 17 hr. ago "What is your zodiac sign?" Might be more of an LA thing because I've gotten this question at least twice.
    via Efficient-Field733
  • 24
    • kitty_katty_meowma 14 hr. ago What's your favorite Pokémon? For an accounting position, at cabinet company, with no known Pokémon association.
    via kitty_katty_meowma
  • 25
    IDontEvenCareBear 12 hr. ago "Show us 5 ways you would use this thing for anything other than its intended or related purpose".
    via IDontEvenCareBear
  • 26
    DamnPillBugs. 16 hr. ago I was asked by the company president, "What is your blood type?".
    via D*mnPillBugs
  • 27
    . Agreeable_Birthday93 14 hr. ago What would you bring to our company's game night? Seriously...you're not going to hire me because you don't like what I'm bringing to an event I'm not even sure I'll attend
    via Agreeable_Birthday93
  • 28
    • RarelyRecommended 11 hr. ago I was applying for a warehouse position. I had just left the Navy a few weeks before. "You were in the Navy? How many people did you kill?" I left without saying anything.
    via RarelyRecommended
  • 29
    KS-2010 7 hr. ago "How would you describe the rainbow to someone who is, and always has been, blind?"
    via KS-2010
  • 30
    • RantingSidekick · 6 hr. ago "If a dog and a baby were both drowning, which would you save?" I still remember how they smirked at each other when I awkwardly mumbled out my answer. This interview was for an executive assistant job.
    via RantingSidekick
  • 31
    PUAHate_Tryhards · 6 hr. ago . "Which country had the most beautiful women?" We are/were both males, and he noticed via my resume I did a lot of traveling both in the military and after.
    via PUAHate_Tryhards

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