Do you have a funny interview story?

SGT Timothy Stroud — Tue, 30 Sep 2014 09:58:25 -0400

As I was transitioning out of the U.S. Army, I remember one interview that still makes me laugh. I was sitting in front of a Hiring Manager for a large corporation and he asked me tons of questions about my service and skills. Things were going very well and I was pretty sure I had the job until we got comfortable and I let my guard down. He cussed in the interview when he spilled his coffee and in true military bravado, I decided to UP him one with my colorful post-Iraqi deployment language. Needless to say, I verbally stepped on my own toes and almost didn't get hired. Oh, and I did this at Toastmasters too. But that's another story...

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2014 7:52 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Sep 2014 19:52:33 -0400

I heard about this one at my last unit. I was part of a division in Army G-3/5/7 where military officers were "selected" to be part of the division. Part of the selection process was an interview. Many of the officers in the division had all manner of tabs, most prominently Ranger and Special Forces (Airborne as well). This one candidate referred to himself - while interviewing before a board of division officers with all their tabs - as a tabless b**ch. I guess I should report that he was NOT selected to be a member of the division.

Response by SCPO Fred Andy made Oct 1 at 2014 11:48 AM

SCPO Fred Andy — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 11:48:51 -0400

When I was transitioning, I had an interview with a nuclear plant manager and a couple of members of his staff for an Emergency Response Coordinator position for the site. I thought the interview, which was quite long and thorough, went very well and was quite surprised when I heard from a former shipmate (that was currently working there) that, although they thought I was great, they were concerned that I was too calm and relaxed in the interview. Needless to say, no offer. I guess they were looking for a much higher strung ERC!

Response by PO2 Erik Swanson made Oct 1 at 2014 12:40 PM

PO2 Erik Swanson — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 12:40:53 -0400

I have 2 actually. I interviewed for Gould's pumps, two interviews were in there with me. One asked all kinds of questions like were I had been , what did I see, what was life like on the ship... The other didn't ask any questions, he just came out and told me he didn't believe I had ever worked on a pump. A machinist mate that never worked on a pump before. And my journeyman's licence meant nothing to him. No job offer there.

The other was with immigrations for my wife. The interviewer was retired Navy, retired OSHA inspector AND a HD rider. So we talked about all that for about an hour without even asking my wife a single question about being an immigrant. He finally told us to hand over our book of proof and have a nice day. The wife did get accepted.

Response by CWO3 Bryan Luciani made Oct 1 at 2014 3:04 PM

CWO3 Bryan Luciani — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 15:04:57 -0400

I've been on the job hunt for 8 months now and have had a six interviews. Every one has had it's odd moments. I am absolutely sure there exists a strong anti-military or veteran discrimination in the civilian sector. I intimidate people when I don't want to and my confident behavior is very likely seen as "cocky". Trust me I am working on my softer side. As for odd, I interviewed for an engineering position that was given to an insider two days before my interview (as I found out later from an email), but three weeks later I was interviewing for the position vacated by that same insider. and he was there sitting on my interview panel. At the end of the interview they asked me if I had any questions, so I asked the person vacating that position, "Can you tell me some good things about that job?" he responded, "You'll never have to worry about having enough work." I should have stood up right then and said, "Check please".

Response by LCDR Doug Nordman made Oct 2 at 2014 2:53 PM

LCDR Doug Nordman — Thu, 02 Oct 2014 14:53:41 -0400

A "funny" interview story?
Well, it's funny now: the Rickover interview.
http://the-military-guide.com/2013/02/11/sea-story-the-admiral-rickover-interview/

Sea story: the Admiral Rickover interview - Military Guide

Wow. Over six months since the last sea story? Unsat. Here we go: In late 1981, one of the new SECNAV’s first acts was to persuade SECDEF and the President that it was time for Admiral Rickover to enjoy his military retirement. Over 80 years old, the Admiral had been on active duty for …

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made May 24 at 2019 10:32 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Fri, 24 May 2019 22:32:46 -0400

SGT Timothy Stroud I an pleased you did not step on anything else! That makes you a sidestepping hero!!