There are many peculiar experiences life has to offer.
Accidentally walking into the wrong meeting room and finding yourself at a llama appreciation society gathering.
Answering the door to a delivery man who insists you ordered a 12-foot inflatable banana.
Discovering the salad you’ve been dutifully eating for lunch every day for the past week is actually garnish from the staff canteen.
But nothing quite prepares you for the oddity that is the job interview.
For recruiters, it's a sacred ritual - a dance of questions and answers where we try to determine whether the person in front of us is a potential asset or an imminent HR disaster.
But, as you might expect, not every interview goes according to plan.
Sometimes, they go so off-piste that you begin to question everything you know about the world.
So, dust off your disbelief and prepare to be bemused as we delve into some of the strangest interviews we’ve ever had the (dis)pleasure of conducting.
1. The Interviewee Who Brought Their Mum
Picture the scene: you’re halfway through a perfectly normal interview when, without warning, the candidate’s mum shows up.
And not just to give them a lift home.
Oh no, she came armed with questions. For us.
“What are the company’s long-term plans for my child?”
“How will you ensure my child’s happiness and well-being?”
“Can you guarantee there will be biscuits in the break room?”
In fairness, we couldn’t be mad. Her commitment to her child’s career was both touching and terrifying.
2. The Candidate Who Thought It Was Fancy Dress
You’d think the phrase “business attire” would speak for itself, but not so for one ambitious candidate.
He arrived dressed as a pirate - complete with an eye patch, parrot, and a cutlass that we’re pretty sure wasn’t regulation office attire.
His explanation?
“I thought you meant ‘buccaneer spirit.’”
He didn’t get the job, but he did earn our respect for sheer bravado.
3. The Applicant Who Wasn’t Who They Claimed
Imagine our surprise when an applicant arrived looking nothing like their CV photo.
It’s not uncommon for people to use a professional headshot, but this was something else.
Turns out, the candidate had used a photo of their identical twin.
As part of an elaborate prank.
Spoiler: they both got called back for a second interview.
4. The One with the Magic Show
In an attempt to stand out, one candidate decided to showcase their unique skills.
And by unique, I mean magic tricks.
Cards appeared, coins vanished, and at one point, I’m pretty sure they made my pen levitate.
Not exactly relevant for an accounting position, but hey, who doesn’t love a bit of magic on a Monday morning?
5. The Candidate Who Forgot Their Own Name
Everyone gets nervous during interviews.
But this poor soul took it to a new level.
We kicked things off with the easiest of questions: “Can you introduce yourself?”
After a long pause and a visibly panicked expression, they blurted out, “I’m... sorry, I’ve forgotten my own name.”
We eventually managed to coax it out of them, but not before nearly offering them a cup of tea and a lie-down.
6. The Interview That Became a Cooking Show
In an era of remote interviews, anything can happen.
But we weren’t quite prepared for one candidate’s culinary display.
Halfway through, they announced, “I hope you don’t mind, but I’m just going to finish off this soufflé.”
We were treated to a running commentary of their recipe, complete with stirring, whisking, and the occasional oven timer beep.
It was, quite frankly, riveting.
And yes, they did offer to send us a slice.
7. The One with the Confused Translator
Most interviews don’t require a translator, but when language barriers exist, they’re a godsend.
Except when the translator seems even more confused than the candidate.
What should've been a straightforward exchange quickly devolved into a game of charades.
But kudos to the candidate for soldiering on and turning it into a comedy routine.
8. The One Where the Candidate Slept Through
Remote interviews have their perks, but they also come with unique challenges.
Like when a candidate joined the call, only to promptly fall asleep - complete with snores audible through the screen.
We debated waking them, but honestly, we were too mesmerised by the dedication to napping.
9. The Interviewee Who Insisted on a Soundtrack
It’s not uncommon for candidates to bring presentations or portfolios to an interview.
But this particular candidate decided to bring a full-blown soundtrack.
Highlights included:
- The Rocky theme when discussing their work ethic.
- “Eye of the Tiger” while detailing past achievements.
- And (of course) “Chariots of Fire” during the closing statement.
We didn’t hire them, but we did leave the interview feeling strangely inspired.
10. The One with the Surprise Guest
Sometimes, life throws unexpected curveballs.
Like when a candidate’s cat decided to wander into the interview room, casually walk across the keyboard, and then sit in front of the camera for a good ten minutes.
Not ideal, but we can confirm the feline was adorable.
Need to Recruit Without the Madness?
If these stories have left you laughing, cringing, or simply grateful they weren’t your interviews - you’re not alone.
At Coburg Banks, we’re dedicated to finding candidates who are memorable for the right reasons.
If you’re tired of interview surprises and want a recruitment process that’s as entertaining as it is effective, get in touch.
We promise, no magic tricks, no twin swaps - just good, old-fashioned professionalism.
