Answers For Unusual And Strange Job Interview Questions

The original Hub Question addressed by this Hub was placed via the Hub Pages Q & A feature and asked

1. Why jobs applications contain "stupid" questions or why employment interviewers ask "stupid" questions and
2. How employers are justified in doing so when the jobs offered pay only $8.00 per hour.

I must say that a sincere job seeker with a solid work ethic does not usually belittle the pay offered by jobs (s)he does not want, will apply for jobs at a higher rate of pay for which (s)he is qualified, and will not consider legal job application or interview questions to be stupid.

On a job application, you can expect to be asked to usually provide: accurate contact information, a readable and understandable work history with dates and contact information, your education, your special skills, the job title to which you are applying, and sometimes a list of references with contact information. Make yourself a Master Application with all of your information on it and carry it with you; use it as a reference when you complete applications for emplyers. it is not wise, however, to provide your Social Security Number to an employer before you are hired, on the initial application. Interview questions will be discussed below.

During a recession and during a tight job market (i.e., high unemployment rate either nationally, locally, or both), employers have the advantage of the ability to scrutinize job candidates more minutely and of being more choosy in their employee picks. As you may know, this is termed "an employer's market."

When economies are reversed and the lower unemployment rates indicate a greater number of jobs going vacant for lack of appropriate workers, this can be varied as "A job seeker's market." The two markets seem to cycle and the cycles often coincide roughly with the changes in political parties of each successive US President and Legislature after elections are completed.

In the employer's market, potential bosses use stronger means of weeding out job candidates for the 100s and 1000s of applications or resumes received for a single vacancy. These methods can include more difficult or confusing questions in job interviews.

Frustration and dwindling personal resources in a tight job market can lead to not only everyday stress on an increasing curve. but also bad health and an inability to perform well in job interviews.

Singles without family or friends to approach for tangible help and psychological support can benefit from accessing the county and city social services networks - or the WIA employment offices - for assistance of many kinds. This includes job search help, training where available and candidates are eligible, support services such as child care and food, and several others.

In the employer's market, potential bosses use stronger means of weeding out job candidates from the 100s and 1000s of applications or resumes received for a single vacancy. These methods can include a list of the more difficult or confusing questions in job interviews. Employers have the right to ask questions that tap into how job candidates solve problems, what comprises their ethics, how they handle change, and various aspects of life at work. The rate of pay offered has nothing to do with this.

In other words, "lower pay" does not mean "easy questions" or "fewer questions."

Employers have the right to choose the best person for each job, no matter what the job is or what it pays (the best candidate is one that fills out the application completely and interviews well).

As for pay rates, $8.00/hour is above federal minimum wage.

A high school student just graduated from senior year, even with straight A's or a 4.0 or 5.0 GPA will not likely receive higher pay than minimum wage, unless (s)he worked in an internship during the high school years and was hired by the company after graduation.

Some parents or other relatives can sometimes arrange for higher-paying jobs for some high school graduates right out of school, but this is not the norm. In addition, high school graduates entering a family business may or may not receive higher pay than minimum wage, and bloodline is not a guarantee.

Any job, even the $8.00/hour job, is one to be approached professionally in the interview and in daily work. A worker should do his or her best in any job, rather than to work "hard" only in a high paying job.

If you have ever "worked" in a mismanaged summer employment program through a company that met grant-funded quotas by placing youth into jobs that entailed no duties, then you were mishandled and done a supreme injustice. Real life does not operate in that manner.

In economically depressed areas of the USA, where large companies have closed and the out-of-work are becoming desperate, job seekers can become negative about interviewing and working ("Why even try?"). Support groups set up among these individuals can help, if they exist. If no groups exist, they can be started.

Another option is the Job Club, in which jobs seekers meet once a week and share job leads as well as experiences. These are sponsored by some county employment offices, some mental health associations, some private companies, and even some churches and other faith-based groups.

Some people must move to a new city in order to accept employment. You might need to consider that option. Need help? -- The Salvation Army has a history of supplying free bus tickets to other cities for those that have a job opportunity.

Overshadowing all of this is the fact that no one is entitled to be awarded a high-paying job without working to secure it and then working hard in it. Employment agencies and government programs don't "get you a job", either. They make connections, but you must succeed in the interview and then prove yourself in the job.

You must be willing to do your best at the bottom and work your way up -- And part of this is following directions in completing job applications correctly and being able to survive job interviews.

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