There are certain things in life that really make you question reality.
Like why anyone thought kombucha was a good idea. Or why every household item seems to have a smart version that’s intent on listening to your conversations and judging your life choices.
But nothing quite baffles the mind like the weird and wonderful locations where job interviews sometimes take place.
Now, you’d think that an interview would be conducted in a nice, quiet office setting. Somewhere with a desk, a couple of chairs, maybe a pot plant struggling to survive.
But alas, life is rarely that simple, and sometimes, interviews occur in places that make you wonder if you’ve accidentally wandered onto the set of a low-budget sitcom.
1. The Coffee Shop Conundrum
Ah, the humble coffee shop interview. Beloved by freelancers and hipster start-ups everywhere, it’s the perfect setting for a casual chat over a frothy cappuccino.
But it’s also the perfect setting for:
- Spilling coffee all over your meticulously printed CV.
- Shouting over the deafening scream of the espresso machine.
- Awkwardly bumping into your ex while trying to convince your potential employer that you’re a ‘team player’ and ‘great under pressure.’
The best part? The barista who’s been eavesdropping on your entire interview is probably rooting for you.
2. The Car Interview
Yes, you read that right. For reasons known only to the universe, some interviews take place inside a car.
Maybe the interviewer thought, “Where’s the best place to assess someone’s professional skills? I know! The backseat of my Ford Fiesta!”
Nothing says ‘potentially life-changing opportunity’ quite like the smell of old takeout and the occasional honking from irate drivers.
But on the plus side, at least you’ll know if you’ve landed a gig with someone who can parallel park.
3. The Gym Interview
This one is a bit of a head-scratcher.
Being grilled about your five-year plan while trying to ignore the soundtrack of grunting bodybuilders and clashing weights is a special kind of challenge.
But it’s also a great way to show off your multitasking skills - after all, not everyone can draft a marketing strategy while dodging a rogue medicine ball.
Perhaps next time, you’ll even land a post-interview protein shake and an unsolicited lecture on the benefits of creatine.
4. The Theme Park Interview
Why settle for a standard office setting when you can discuss your career aspirations while queuing for a roller coaster?
Perhaps it’s a test. If you can maintain your composure while being hurtled through the air at 70 mph, surely you can handle a little office stress.
Plus, sharing a funnel cake with your potential boss is one way to ensure they remember you - and not just for your killer resume.
5. The Bathroom Interview
Yes, this has happened. And no, I don’t know why the universe allowed it.
Perhaps it was a genuine emergency - a last-minute location change due to a plumbing disaster, or a desperate attempt to have some semblance of privacy.
Whatever the reason, nothing feels quite as surreal as discussing your greatest weaknesses while standing next to a bank of hand dryers.
Let’s hope they at least washed their hands afterwards.
6. The Park Bench Interview
Some interviews take place in the great outdoors.
And nothing screams professionalism like trying to conduct an interview while a dog decides your briefcase is its next target, or a group of enthusiastic joggers treat you to a surprise flash mob.
But there’s something lovely about fresh air, birdsong, and the chance to subtly check your potential employer’s fitness level when they inevitably suggest a ‘walk and talk.’
7. The Zoo Interview
Because what better environment to discuss your career goals than next to a family of meerkats?
On the one hand, it’s a fascinating backdrop for your professional dreams. On the other, you now have to explain to future employers why there’s a goat trying to eat your cover letter.
But there’s nothing quite like bonding over the shared experience of dodging a very enthusiastic giraffe.
Don’t Want Your Interviews to Be a Safari?
If you’re looking to recruit but aren’t quite ready to conduct interviews from a roller coaster or the backseat of your Corsa, we can help.
At Coburg Banks, we find the right candidates for the right jobs, without making anyone feel like they’re stuck in a surrealist painting.
So if you want your hiring process to be straightforward - not a zoological adventure - get in touch.
We promise no meerkats will be involved. Probably.
