Job application demands applicants describe their 'recent trauma' to proceed: 'Bro I just wanted an internship'

Ally Perry • Writer and Editor

Apr 22, 2025 11:00 AM EDT

There is no end to the annoyances when it comes to the process of finding a job. It can feel like demoralization and humiliation are an unavoidable part of the process, unless a friend of a friend is willing to give you a nice cushy position where you only interview as a formality.

Alas, such prospects seem far away for most of those who seek to climb the corporate ladder. The vast majority are left sending endless emails, getting scared by how many people have already applied to a position on LinkedIn, and despairing at having to manually input their resume into yet another form. That's before we even get onto the horror that is writing a cover letter.

When you are deep in the job search trenches, it is always tempting to think that things can't get any worse. Don't worry, though! Plenty of potential employers are willing to surprise applicants in that regard.

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This is what one prospective intern discovered when filling out a Google form to apply for an internship. One of the compulsory questions asked applicants to explain their recent trauma, and how it “shaped [their] values”. He was understandably baffled at the question, and so was the rest of social media. It is hardly a positive indication of what working there is like.
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