Craziest qualifications asked about in interview or job application?

I just applied for an entry level network job that, I kid you not, asked me for the name, location, and dates I went to my ELEMENTARY school. (in addition to so much more, that was just the craziest) And I have a college degree. I don't even remember the name of my elementary school. Needless to say I just left it blank, attached my resume, and am not giving a

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Basic85

I've seen it before too and you were right for leaving it blank. I think it was just some silly application template they got but just didn't remove that part.

Danielm7

I had the same once as it was a security role in the corp office of a large retailer. When you get there they make EVERYONE fill out the same application.

HP_Guy

I agree that it must surely be completely irrelevant which elementary school you went to, but...can you seriously not remember the name of it? Is that common? I presume elementary is the same as our primary schools that you attend for 7 years (age 4 - 11).

OctalDump

On the other hand, I've seen people put this kind of thing on their resumes - usually because it was some fancy private school. Which to me basically just says "Employ me because we have the same background" rather than "Employ me because I can do the job". You can always tell a Milford man.

Trucido

Where did you go to elementary school?
"Home."

Burn.

beads

Pfft! I moved around quite a bit when I was young and would have a hard time regurgitating a couple of those schools I spent less than a semester. Truth be told I'd put down a name of a town + elementary or Sherlock Holmes Elementary if I were feeling particularly tardish. At least one of the schools I attended third grade at is gone. Now a subdivision.

I know the records are out there somewhere... maybe?

- b/eads

daristotle

I once applied for a general IT admin job at a machine shop. They made everyone take the same screening questionnaire before proceeding with an interview. So there were 15 questions about what type of drill bit to use for a given type of material, how to read a micrometer, and how to calculate various angles. It was pretty odd.

yuddhidhtir

:DLOL, thats funny, happened to me as well when giving interviews and those are mandatory questionnaire.

Russell77

I took a Wonderlic test for a job at a warehouse. I never got an offer.

scaredoftests

Elementary? Wow. Mine has been torn down.

UnixGuy

+1 what @OctalDump said

I interviewed guys who tell me stories about how they started using computers when they were 3 yrs old...and wrote programs at the age of 5. Ok little genius, you get a cookie and a pinch on the cheek.

doctorlexus

"Where do you see yourself in five years?"

Crazy bastards...I got up right then and told them I thought the interview was a mistake. Then I left.

What does that question have to do with computer hardware or networks? Sheesh.

Nafe92014

doctorlexus wrote: »

"Where do you see yourself in five years?"

Crazy bastards...I got up right then and told them I thought the interview was a mistake. Then I left.

What does that question have to do with computer hardware or networks? Sheesh.

That is a common question, and a good one, as they want to know where in your career you would like to eventually be at. It's a good way for an employer to see what kind of interests you have.

Remedymp

Nafe92014 wrote: »

That is a common question, and a good one, as they want to know where in your career you would like to eventually be at. It's a good way for an employer to see what kind of interests you have.

Agreed. They don't want to invest into if you're going to gone within a year or so. One of the issues my employer kept running into is that: They would hire a resource, they would give said resource voucher for SANS training, and then said resource would take the training, get the cert and quit and move on.

So, it's not uncommon that they try and feel a perspective resource out with that question.