Is this an inappropriate question for a employer to ask on a job interview? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TVFactFan · 06-02-2005, 04:43 PM

So was there ever a time when you lost your temper? If so, explain why?

It appears to be related to how you will perform on the job so it doesn;t seem that bad of a question to ask. I was asked this today-lol Someone told me they wasn;t supposed to ask me that. As along as i get the job i can care less

Janice · 06-02-2005, 04:48 PM

I don't know the legality of the question, but it seems out of bounds to me. I can see an employer asking how you handle stress, if you can multi-task, that sort of thing. Why bring the topic of a person's temper into the interview?

You should have blown a gasket and started freaking out that he asked the question. At least he'd have his answer.

Seinatra · 06-02-2005, 05:00 PM

Seems like a reasonable question to me. Doesn't touch on age, marital/parent status, religion, etc...

But who hasn't lost their temper at some point? Maybe he sensed you were a little unstable?

I like Janice's suggestion of how you should have reacted to the question.

Mijada · 06-02-2005, 05:36 PM

I don't really think it's an innappropriate question. The applicant would probably just lie about it anyway. If you are applying for a job which involves working together with other people the employer does have a right to know how well you get along with others and if you let little things get to you. I think a better way to phrase that type of question would be just to ask how you would handle a situation should a disagreement turn into a heated arguement. I filled out an app once with a question like that and they gave 4 choices on how i would react to a disagreement and I had to choose the one that I thought would be the best

TripperFan · 06-02-2005, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seinatra

Seems like a reasonable question to me. Doesn't touch on age, marital/parent status, religion, etc...

But who hasn't lost their temper at some point? Maybe he sensed you were a little unstable?

I like Janice's suggestion of how you should have reacted to the question.

I'm with you on all three points above! Maybe not even that you came across odd, but maybe the person in the job before you went Postal and that's why they're asking!! I worked with a finance manager who actually threw his keyboard into another cubicle (while one of his staff was working there)!!

I've seen lots of weird things in my day - including fist fights!

Yeah - you should have got up and slugged him when he asked you!!

I have been asked at almost every interview how I deal with stress though. Or how I handled a conflict with someone and what the outcome was.
I just tell 'em I use the Jeff Dahlmer method and keep empty barrels in the trunk of my car for such emergencies. Hey - they can't say I'm not prepared!

Seinatra · 06-02-2005, 10:56 PM

[QUOTE=TripperFan]I'm with you on all three points above! ... QUOTE]

Now if we can just get together on that JFK thing ...

Jrnygrl · 06-03-2005, 02:14 AM

Its an appropriate question, but should have been worded in a different way. It is sometime asked in this manner: "How do you handle difficult situations, such as an angry client or customer?"

peter may · 06-03-2005, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVShow Analyzer

So was there ever a time when you lost your temper? If so, explain why?

It appears to be related to how you will perform on the job so it doesn;t seem that bad of a question to ask. I was asked this today-lol Someone told me they wasn;t supposed to ask me that. As along as i get the job i can care less

How strange - I was asked the EXACT same question at my interview - "What frustrates me", LOL

TripperFan · 06-03-2005, 09:15 AM

[QUOTE=Seinatra]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TripperFan

I'm with you on all three points above! ... QUOTE]

Now if we can just get together on that JFK thing ...

Same thought hit me!!!

See - at least we see eye to eye on some topics!!

TripperFan · 06-03-2005, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peter may

How strange - I was asked the EXACT same question at my interview - "What frustrates me", LOL

I think you're going to hear it more all the time too. Today's workplace is so stressful they need to know if you're going to end up stripped naked on top of the roof with a high powered rifle or not.

swedeace · 06-03-2005, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVShow Analyzer

So was there ever a time when you lost your temper? If so, explain why?

Yes and no. It has to be worded differently such as "How would you handle x or y situation?"

peter may · 06-03-2005, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TripperFan

I think you're going to hear it more all the time too. Today's workplace is so stressful they need to know if you're going to end up stripped naked on top of the roof with a high powered rifle or not.

Something along those lines happened to my friend who works at a Digital Effects company in Venice Beach - Security had to be called cause this guy who got recently fired wanted to shoot the boss

TripperFan · 06-03-2005, 11:34 AM

Actually the last interview I had, the Director of HR starts telling me what a jerk the boss is that I would be working for! That he micromanages and is "anal"!!!

She was even swearing during it. I wondered if it was some test to see how I'd react or what. I thought it was funny. I like straight-shooters, but she did take me back a bit!

TripperFan · 06-03-2005, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenFanatic

I bet that was an interesting interview.

I offered her drugs!

Seriously - I did! At the first interview I had, she had a broken blood vessel in one eye and a headache (it was a looong day of cattle-calls). I offered her aspirins and even had water with me. She laughed, made some comment about how organized I was and took them.

I told her to remember that if they hired me, I could provide her with drugs!

(It was all in good fun really and I did get the second interview - just duped out of the third that I was promised with the anal guy). They did say they're hoping to still hire me, but in another position.

That's the other annoying thing - a lot of the people who've interviewed me want to put me in a sales position (citing my outgoing personality) - but I HATE sales! I like interacting with people, but don't like pushing stuff on them. Stop telling me what I should be doing and just hire me people!!

06-02-2005, 04:43 PM	#1
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,105	Is this an inappropriate question for a employer to ask on a job interview? So was there ever a time when you lost your temper? If so, explain why? It appears to be related to how you will perform on the job so it doesn;t seem that bad of a question to ask. I was asked this today-lol Someone told me they wasn;t supposed to ask me that. As along as i get the job i can care less

06-02-2005, 05:36 PM	#4
Mijada Spencers mom Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 02, 2001 Location: eastern US Posts: 4,093	I don't really think it's an innappropriate question. The applicant would probably just lie about it anyway. If you are applying for a job which involves working together with other people the employer does have a right to know how well you get along with others and if you let little things get to you. I think a better way to phrase that type of question would be just to ask how you would handle a situation should a disagreement turn into a heated arguement. I filled out an app once with a question like that and they gave 4 choices on how i would react to a disagreement and I had to choose the one that I thought would be the best
	__________________ Proud mom to Spencer, Justine and Colleen

06-02-2005, 04:48 PM	#2
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	I don't know the legality of the question, but it seems out of bounds to me. I can see an employer asking how you handle stress, if you can multi-task, that sort of thing. Why bring the topic of a person's temper into the interview? You should have blown a gasket and started freaking out that he asked the question. At least he'd have his answer.

06-02-2005, 05:00 PM	#3
Seinatra Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 29, 2004 Location: Gran Chaco Posts: 1,840	Seems like a reasonable question to me. Doesn't touch on age, marital/parent status, religion, etc... But who hasn't lost their temper at some point? Maybe he sensed you were a little unstable? I like Janice's suggestion of how you should have reacted to the question.

06-02-2005, 10:56 PM	#6
Seinatra Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 29, 2004 Location: Gran Chaco Posts: 1,840	[QUOTE=TripperFan]I'm with you on all three points above! ... QUOTE] Now if we can just get together on that JFK thing ...

06-03-2005, 02:14 AM	#7
Jrnygrl Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 03, 2003 Location: wheel in the sky Posts: 4,540	Its an appropriate question, but should have been worded in a different way. It is sometime asked in this manner: "How do you handle difficult situations, such as an angry client or customer?"

06-03-2005, 11:34 AM	#13
TripperFan In God's Arms Now Forum Star Join Date: Sep 14, 2003 Location: Heartbreak Ridge Posts: 12,086	Actually the last interview I had, the Director of HR starts telling me what a jerk the boss is that I would be working for! That he micromanages and is "anal"!!! She was even swearing during it. I wondered if it was some test to see how I'd react or what. I thought it was funny. I like straight-shooters, but she did take me back a bit!