Job Interviews that have you ROFL

She works for a large media house and was recently handed the pink slip. Last month, she clocked the highest sale numbers in her department and had a superlative track record. Her clients respected her and looked upon her as the organisation. Her team mates adored her. Her superiors valued her. And, on a warm October morning, after 9 years, she was made redundant. It happens to the best of the best. She was called by her department head with the ominous, “let’s talk”. She was numb. Her boss lamely spoke about a few lapses but none were convincing to prove the fateful decision that was taken. Tears welled her eyes. She wondered, what made those you respect and work with so closely, not share the signs or was she so taken up by her busy-ness to neglect reading the writing on the wall? The conversation ended in a blur and the words resounded like a sledgehammer, “You may let Navin in Admin know when can you hand over.”

The room where she announced her wins and achievements now seemed claustrophobic. The axe had fallen hard and shattered her dreams. She nodded and slowly moved towards the door. Her boss did not make any eye contact, perhaps hiding his own emotions.

The office was bubbling with the festive excitement. It was the mother of all festivals – Diwali. The festival of lights; and all she could see was a thick, grey haze of despair.

We were in splits! “Okayyyyyy, what did you do?”, we asked in chorus.

“Nothing. I politely declined and showed her the door.” Vinay replied.

“I had a bizarre one, too”, I said.

“I was looking to hire an Account Director for the ad agency I worked for, decades ago. The candidate was perfect. He responded smartly to all the questions. Was articulate and well-mannered. At some point during the conversation, I asked about his interests and he waxed eloquence about how he loved tattooes and that he was training to be a tattoo artist, someday. That’s when I noticed the tattoo on his neck and complimented him, in what I thought as a polite gesture. He jumped out of his seat and excitedly, asked, ‘Do you like it?” I responded with a weak ‘yes, it’s interesting’ and as if on cue, he began unbuttoning his shirt to reveal a large Shiva tattoo all across his chest. Just then, the pantry boy walked in to collect the coffee mugs. He looked at the half naked man and me. The pantry boy’s eyebrows would’ve touched the ceiling! He looked shocked and quickly shut the door without clearing the mugs. I was mortified and could have had the earth devour me at that instant!

To add spice to the drama, the candidate asks me, “Would you like to see Shiva doing the tandav?” and without waiting for my response, reached for the zipper on his trousers! I freaked! I demanded he straighten up and that the interview was over! Over!!

Vinay, Dinaz and Sheena were laughing, uncontrollably. I smiled, too, “And, no, he didn’t make it to the next round.” and joined them in their laughter. Well, I must confess as I look back, it was funny not just bizarre!

I’m wondering, do you have any funny or bizarre interview stories? I’d love to hear yours.

Wish you a life of laughter and victory!



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