Why are manholes round?; How many people did you ask to proof your most recent resume?; What's the most courageous thing you did in the last year?; Can you give an example of some coaching or advice someone gave you that you hated to accept but turned out to be right?; In 1969 over 250,000 lightbulbs were stolen from the NYC subway system. In 1971 the number was reduced to practically zero. What did they do?; What's the best TV show ever made? Why? ; You're walking down the street and find a $10 bill. On the back of it is an address label and a stamp along with the words "Please mail back if found"....do you?; Should a company fire the bottom 10% of performers each year?; Give three recent examples of poor customer service you've recently received.; Name three things you'd change to improve the world.; If you were president of the world for 1 second (enough to make only one decision) what would that one decision be?; What new habits would you like to add to your life?
2006-09-06 15:53:46 · 7 answers · asked by flignar 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment
I absolutely love these questions. You have to understand, the lawyers have made it very difficult to ask lots of questions, they may be construed as racial, or against people with disabilities.
These questions get into your mind and how you think.
So here are my answers (I googled nothing)
manhole covers are round because it's easier to put them back on, and very difficult for them to accidently fall into the hole (shows an understanding of math, geometry)
Proof resume - I usually have 2 - 3 people proof my resume. If no one, then shows that you're very confident, maybe almost cocky - if you have > 5, my gosh, don't you have any confidence in yourself at all?
Most courageoius thing I did - I got divorced from an abusive man. Based on the answers, you can see if someone thinks of themselves, or of others, or of things that they will be feted for.
Coaching I hated? I chit chat too much at work - hated to be told that, but better to be told by a trusted person instead of having it held against me at work. If you say "nothing", then it means you're not open to improvement. If you have a laundry list, that's another red flag.
How to reduce stolen light bulbs? I don't know, but perhaps they made them like the cheap christmas lights, when was one removed the whole string went out, so it was readily apparent (and you were in the dark) if you stole one. Shows how creative you can be, given some facts what conclusions can you come up with.
Best TV show ever made? The Friendly Giant - it was a Canadian show where the Giant told stories and taught me how to be polite and kind. Again, if you like reality shows where people are humilitated, shows character - if you like shows you have to think about (like drama), gives more insight into your personality.
$10 bill - yes, I'd send it back.
Fire the bottom 10% each year? Yes, but only for 2 years, after that you start hitting the "good people". Shows your philosophy.
Poor customer service - shows how "sensitive" you are based on what you demand - if you demanded something ridiculous, an insight into your character.
3 things I'd like to change - the NIH, so that we wouldn't have to pay many times for the same basic medical research, Welfare, so that people would get a hand up instead of a hand out, the Media - so that people had to be responsible for what they published. Again, this gives insight into your philosophy and what you value.
Anyways, this gives an employer all of the information to know how you would fit into the culture of the company, your problem solving skills, your creativity, your goals, your sore points, because, in general, it's how "teachable" you are - any Mechanical Engineer can do the job, but the one who's values and goals are most aligned with the company will prove to never be part of that 10% that's fired every year.
whew!
2006-09-06 16:06:28 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, they are. All of them show critical thinking skills, or the lack thereof. They show qualities that you need to know in a prospective employee in a way that isn't so obvious. Go with it.
2006-09-06 15:59:22 · answer #2 · answered by Janeybaby 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have an answer for this question, then you don't want the job. It means, is there any reason why you think you can't do this job? Hope this helps.
2016-03-27 00:59:37 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Question 1 sounds like you are asking whay are men assholes.
2006-09-06 15:58:48 · answer #4 · answered by Luckys Charm 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What do most of these have to do with the job?
2006-09-06 16:01:11 · answer #5 · answered by lukafoo74 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some are ok others are crazy.
2006-09-06 15:56:43 · answer #6 · answered by Lucy Lu 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
LOVE these questions!!!!
2006-09-06 16:04:04 · answer #7 · answered by sunshineathome74 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋