Strange Interview Remark/Question
This was just a little over a year ago, I went for a job in customer service, setting up transportation for handicapped persons. I described my skills and why I would be useful, then out of the blue I was asked, '...what are you bringing to the table?' This made no sense to me so I asked her to repeat. She did but it sounded like I would be placing a bet at a roulette table, instead of filling a position. This made me clam up (she asked me three times or more!) and I was ready for the interview to be over.
Later, I spoke with the coworker that put me in touch with the right person to set up the interview. He quickly said that I said something the women didn't like at the interview, and I was black balled! You don't want to work for a company that is so unreliable and 'laissez-faire', not concerned about skills. A high turnover rate is what this breeds, because you don't have to say anything to be ostracised. Let's hear your ideas and experiences now!
Actually, the question itself isn't that odd, but maybe the way it was asked was the problem. It sounds like it! I've been at interviews where they want to know what I can do for them, or what I can bring to the party, so to speak. I think the point might have been while you have good skills and qualifications, they were looking for a certain type of person. Many people have the right skills, etc. for a given position, so the only way to determine who the best candidate is could be by asking a question like that. Anyway, it appears you may have gotten away from a really bad situation. It didn't seem like the woman was very patient or understanding. Glad you avoided that one!
That's so strange that she asked you the same question repeatedly. You would think she would want to learn new information about your work history, etc. I think you did the best you could and int he future instead of asking her to repeat the question perhaps ask the interviewer if they can re-phrase the question instead. Luther Norman
I went to an interview maybe 15 years ago for a well-known retail department store, for a position in their cosmetic section. The day before the interview I actually went to the store and bought an outfit to wear at the interview. The day of the interview was a terribly cold day and it had just snowed a ton the night before, so the roads were still bad. Despite leaving my home in plenty of time I had no idea the roads were so bad and arrived just a couple of minutes late. I walked into something that I just should have turned around and left. I was brought to a door to a room and when I opened it, there was a "team" of people interviewing about 10 candidates at the same time. They were sitting on stools and we were in little chairs like a school of 1st graders. I scoped out the room and the people being interviewed were in nasty jeans and dirty sneakers. Actually, I was the only one dressed appropriately in a fashionable pants outfit. They basically went around asking each of us the same exact question. If you weren't the first or second one to answer there was little else to say. I forgot to mention it was the beginning of the holiday season so there were many positions available. On the app. they asked what hours we are available and I put any, which I doubt was the norm. It was just a very weird situation and despite there being probably 50 openings I didn't get hired for a darn thing! I did find out the jeans and sneakers people did get jobs. What the H??? It was one of the first times I realized nothing that made sense made any sense!! Wow.