Editor's Note: Last week, our regular Friday author, Lauryn Franzoni, wrote about how to respond to an unexpected and strange interview question. So we decided to ask you to submit the oddball things people have asked you during job interviews. Here were your responses.

Usually I ask those who submit responses to our queries for permission to list their names and companies. This time, however, I forgot to do that. So I'm erring on the side of privacy and not listing anybody's name. One more thing: We wrote the subtitles of each entry.

Glenn Demby

FIRST PRIZE

I Did It All for Love

I was once asked if I was applying for the job because I needed the money. It was just a clerical position in an office. I don't remember how I answered, but a few weeks later, when the paycheque didn't arrive on payday, I asked where the cheque was. My boss said, "I thought you said you didn't need the money." And he was serious.

SECOND PRIZE

Easy Rider

If you were part of a bicycle, which part would you be? That question threw me right off but I think I handled that question pretty well. I told my interviewer that I would want to be the handle bars so that I could steer the bike in the direction I choose. They must have liked my answer because they hired me!

THIRD PRIZE

The Subtle Approach

The most uncomfortable interview I've ever had went like this:

"Okay, so what's so good about you? Why should we hire you?"

That was the extent of the interview.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

This Is Your Wake-Up Call

I was once asked: "What time did you get up this morning?" My first thought was: Why on earth would that question be on their interview agenda? My answer: "Early enough to make sure I arrived here promptly and prepared for our meeting today."

Rest in Peace

"If you were to die right now, what would you want written on your tombstone?"

My reply was: "I hadn't planned on checking out just yet, but I hoped it would say that "SHE LAUGHED A LOT "

I didn't get the job and to tell you the truth...I am glad.

Weird x 5

I was asked five questions in this order:

1. What color are the stripes on the bottom and top of the U.S. flag?
2. Whose portrait is on the 20 dollar bill?
3. Who is mayor of New York City?
4. Who is Moammar Kadafi?
5. Do you mind shift work?

I didn't know who the mayor of New York was. However, when I got out of the interview, I went to the library to find out the information and then called the interviewer back and relayed the answer, which he said moved me to the top of the list. I ultimately was offered the job and worked there 15 years.

Loyalty Test

During this session, I was asked "With your knowledge in Computer Networking and System Administrating, would you ever sabotage the Company's Network, including servers and routers, if terminated at any time?"

Mind you, this was a mock interview as if I was to be applying for a job for MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer). It was a trick question to test how I would respond to an unexpected question. After about 5 seconds of silence (which is a lot when you're being interviewed), I responded:

"No, I wouldn't," I said. "I have studied Computer Science for 5 yrs and am not here to ruin my reputation. My goal is to become the System Administrator and make sure every employee can use the world's technology to its fullest. If you don't mind my asking, was this an issue that the Company has had to address in the past?"

Turning the Page

When I faced an interview committee of about 10 senior management personnel of a corporate for the position of a Sr. Safety Engineer, one member asked me: Why didn't I work from 1996 to 2001?

I was puzzled for a moment and then realized the problem. I answered: "Sir, I believe you're missing page two of my resume. All of my work experience in those years are listed on that page." The entire team started laughing friendly and I think there's no need to tell you that I started working for them.

I Wasn't Expecting the Spanish Inquisition

It is doubtful that the same question would be asked today, but when it was asked of me it was not illegal:

"What is your religion?"

I responded, "Why would you ask a question like that?"

The reply, "I have to work Saturday and I'm not going to waste my time talking with someone who can't or won't work Saturday."

My response, "Baptist."

About a month later, I realized the question should have been a wake-up call. Because of some of the company's business practices, I quit within a month.

The Paper Chase

A Human Resources leader once said that he would leave a sheet of paper on the corner of his desk while interviewing someone. He would manage to cause the paper to fall to the floor in the direction of the person being interviewed. If the person did not pick up the paper, he was no longer considered to be a candidate for the job. If the person did pick up the paper, he would observe the persons reaction such as grunts, groans, face distress, etc. which could indicate the person had a physical difficulty such as a back problem. Those reactions would influence the outcome of the interview.

PUTTING IT IN PERSPECTIVE

The 'Lying' Question & the Safety Profession

By Gerald Edgar

This is not for the contest but more in line with Ms. Franzoni's article about how you should respond if somebody asks you in a job interview whether you'd lie. This is a VERY good topic especially for safety managers who face employers who want to fudge on OSHA Logs, the care of injured employees, etc. Fairly or unfairly, we are often measured by 'numbers' so the temptation is there to make oneself and/or one's boss look 'good'.

Fortunately I still buy into to what my parents taught me: Always conduct myself so I sleep well at night! So, as for fudging the numbers on OSHA Logs and such, if you're doing a good job the numbers will take care of themselves. (Barry Bonds will probably always wonder what his numbers would have been sans steroids.)

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