Interviews are meant to be straightforward affairs.
You dress up in your finest attire, walk in with a firm (but not too firm) handshake, and spend the next 30 minutes convincing a stranger that you are the one missing ingredient in their recipe for success.
But, as with many things in life, interviews rarely go according to plan.
In fact, sometimes they go so far off the rails that you find yourself wondering if you’ve accidentally walked into a hidden camera show.
These are the moments that make you question everything you thought you knew about the hiring process - the moments you’ll be telling over pints in the pub for years to come.
The Wild Animal Encounter
In one particularly memorable interview, a candidate sat in a plush office chair, trying desperately to focus on the interviewer’s monotonous questions about “synergy” and “team dynamics”.
Suddenly, through the open window, in flew an unexpected guest: a very curious pigeon.
What followed was a scene straight out of a slapstick comedy - papers flying, frantic flapping, and two grown adults shrieking as they tried to shoo the feathered intruder out the window.
In the aftermath, the candidate, disheveled but still composed, managed to land the job. It turns out handling unexpected crises is a desirable skill after all.
The Interviewer Who Got Lost
There’s nothing quite like the anticipation of waiting for an interviewer to arrive.
In one particular case, the anticipation turned into bewilderment when an interviewee waited an hour without any sign of human life.
It turned out the interviewer, new to the building, had gotten lost on their way to the meeting room, having somehow found themselves in the depths of the basement archives.
At least they managed to turn up eventually - albeit covered in dust and looking like they’d emerged from a time capsule.
The Candidate with the Wrong Address
Picture this: a candidate, dressed to the nines, turns up for what they think is a dream job interview.
As they confidently step into the building, smiles all around, they’re suddenly faced with bemused expressions.
Why? Because they’d made the crucial mistake of arriving at the wrong company.
Fortunately, they were graciously redirected to the right location, but not before causing a stir with the other company’s receptionist, who swore they'd never seen a more enthusiastic walk-in candidate.
The Overzealous Role Player
Some companies love a good role play session during an interview.
But then there was the interviewer who took things a bit too seriously.
Halfway through the session, they donned a pirate hat, eye patch, and even attempted a questionable pirate accent, determined to see how the candidate would react to “a change in marketplace dynamics”.
The candidate, to their credit, played along and even managed to make a compelling case for increased treasure distribution. Naturally, they got the job - you can’t argue with that level of adaptability and quick thinking.
The Unexpected Musical Performance
Picture this: a candidate is mid-pitch, explaining their strategic prowess, when the interviewer suddenly stands up, walks over to a piano in the corner, and starts playing “Bohemian Rhapsody”.
Without missing a beat, the candidate joined in, singing along with Freddie Mercury levels of enthusiasm.
The impromptu duet was a hit, and the candidate got the job, proving that sometimes, a bit of unexpected harmony is just what the employer is looking for.
The Unannounced Fire Drill
Imagine preparing for an interview, feeling the pressure build up, only to have that tension suddenly interrupted by blaring alarms and flashing lights.
In one unforgettable interview, both the candidate and interviewer found themselves herded outside into the car park in the middle of a fire drill, standing awkwardly together amongst a sea of slightly confused employees.
As it turns out, nothing builds camaraderie quite like shivering in a parking lot in smart business attire.
Need Help Finding Candidates That Can Handle Anything?
As these stories show, interviews can be as unpredictable as the British weather.
At Coburg Banks, we specialise in finding candidates who can handle anything - from surprise pirate role plays to unexpected musical interludes.
So, if you’re ready to find someone who can navigate even the most bizarre interviews with grace and humour, get in touch.
We promise our candidates are as prepared as they are talented. Just maybe keep an eye out for pigeons.
