Wednesday, January 11, 2012

oddball interview questionsWould it be ok to ask this question during a job interview?

How long would i get for a lunch break?
I know that is kinda a oddball question but i have a very good reason for asking it. The company i am at now-i didnt know it until my first day but they only give you 15 minutes for lunch. They give you two 12 minute breaks and one 15 minute lunch break. This is totally unfair if you ask me. The whole place is unfair. 30 minutes would be enough for me, but 15 is not long enough to do anything. We have to walk way off in one direction to get to the restroom, climb two flights of steps to get to the restroom, then the breakroom is totally at the other side of the building. And you have to eat in the breakroom. No food on the floor. By the time you get to the restroom and then get to the breakroom afterwards lunch is almost over. You really have to decide ok do i want to use the restroom or get something to eat?
They have a bunch of unfair rules, if i find a different job i dont want to get stuck in another situation like this. How do i make certain a new job is the right place for me and not a horrible death camp type place?
Well, first of all, the interviewer should include that kind of information in the interview, as it is not only their job to "groddball interview questionsill you", but to also familiarize you with the details of the job you would be doing and answer any questions you may have. After all, he/she wants to make sure that you know what will be expected of you before you accept the job. No one wants an employee to go through the entire hiring process and then quit after a day or two because "they didn't know what they were getting into". Those situations are wasted time and resources for everyone involved.
However, if you encounter an irresponsible/incompetent interviewer who fails to include all details relevant to the position you are applying for, you will just have to pursue some details yourself. Here are some ideas that will be non-threatening to the interviewer.

First idea: Ask if you can see an Employee Handbook (if they have one) while you're there so that you can "familiarize yourself with their company policies". If offered one, discreetly skip straight to the section that covers schedules, attendance policies, lunch and break times, etc.

Second idea: Just ask about work schedules - start/end times for each day, how many hours, overtime, lunch and break times, etc. These are all things that areoddball interview questions pertinent to the job overall and if you include lunch/break times in the scope of asking about everything else, it won't seem like you are JUST asking about lunch times.

Good luck. Hope this answer helps.
P.S. If the interviewer gives you any problems, just break out the Hypno-Zorak:


This would more properly be asked if the company extended a job offer to you (during salary discussions).
15 minutes for lunch? How many hours are you working a day? I might be wrong but i dont even think that is actually legal. I guess it varies by state but i know in my state you have to be given at least a 30 minute lunch if you are going to work a 8 hour shift.
I think it's a fair question to ask during your interview. Just make sure when you pose the question it doesn't come off as wanting a lot of time off. I would not be offended if an applicant asked me a question like this.
Yes it would be ok. Usually the interviewer will give you an opportunity to ask questions. You don't want to appear like a slacker, but you should know the basic rules before you decide to work there, and this is pretty basic.

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