“I was an HR manager in an IT company. I mostly came across nerds. I think they were the best to have a conversation with. I learned new things from their interviews.
I once had a candidate, one of the best performers in his class, who I asked if there was a city around he wished to visit. When he giggled, I got a feeling to expect something funny or silly.
HR always says ‘It’s okay, you can share whatever you think or feel. It will help us know you better.’
Once I told him that, he said, ‘I want to visit Amsterdam because I want to party hard!’
I definitely didn’t see that coming.
Also once, I was working for a top beverage company in the world. I asked a genuine candidate to be hired for the higher-level role, ‘Do you have past associated to misdemeanor/traffic tickets/any other serious issue in your background?’
He got offended. I tried to relax him that it is something to be asked for background checks.
He said, ‘It was a little thing. It doesn’t matter.’
I asked him, ‘Please share.’
He said,’ I murdered someone at my previous work.’
I didn’t know how he was just out of jail and talking to me face to face. “
