Candidates and recruiters often accuse each other of making the hiring process unnecessarily difficult, and sometimes those complaints are perfectly valid. But if there's one thing clear, it's that the problem can lie on both sides of the table.
Recently, Threads user Rob (@master_i.t) asked people on the platform to describe their craziest job interviews, and hundreds responded. From much too personal questions to unchecked entitlement, these stories prove that the talks can go off the rails in more ways than anyone expects.
#1
I drove a friend to work one day in my pajamas. I was jobless at the time. They walked inside and then came back to the car saying, “I got you an interview.” I said, “What? When?” Taken aback but grateful I guess. “Right now! My boss is inside waiting for you.” They said cheerfully. Not knowing what else to do, I got out of the car still in my pajamas and went inside to find the boss lady sitting in one of the booths waiting for me. I got the job on the spot. She and I are friends to this day.
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46points
#2
I interviewed a guy who was very slick and my boss (male) loved him. I said no, because every single question he directed his reply to my boss and ignored me yet he knew I'd be the one who was his line manager.
37points
Chances are, social media might see quite a few more similar stories in the near future. According to FlexJobs' 2026 State of the Workplace Report, the majority of U.S. workers are considering a career change, and many are prepared to act on it.
79% of respondents said they are "more likely" to accept a new job offer today than they were a year ago, with over half (57%) specifying that they are "much more likely," FlexJobs explained to Bored Panda in an email statement.
#3
During Covid I applied to wal mart. Not even 8 hours later I get a text saying I’m hired. Ngl I thought I accidently applied on a fake site. Nope. No interview just come in. And I’m sure they regret it every day because I am a nuisance.
36points
#4
I interviewed for a job as a hospice nurse. I was asked if I had had a significant loss -- everyone who worked their had had a death in their family (spouse or child) and she felt it made them a better support to dying patients.
I had just lost my grandmother. She asked if my grandmother lived with us. When I said no, she kind of crinkled her nose and said, "Well, I wouldn't call that a significant loss, then."
I couldn't work for her after that.
I had just lost my grandmother. She asked if my grandmother lived with us. When I said no, she kind of crinkled her nose and said, "Well, I wouldn't call that a significant loss, then."
I couldn't work for her after that.
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35points
#5
An interview I had years ago had me interviewing for two hours, only 15 minutes of which I was allowed to speak. The second interview was done with the boss and my most direct coworker, and she told me later, after I had accepted the position, that she came with him to save me from a second two-hour interview. My QUEEN.
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33points
According to FlexJobs' report, 66% of workers have changed or considered changing career fields in the past year, a steady trend from 2025. Among the respondents:
- 43% are actively trying to change career fields this year.
- 34% are not interested in changing careers;
- 23% already attempted or made a career change in the past year;
- 15% tried to make a career change in the past year, but it hasn't worked out;
- 8% successfully changed careers in the past year.
#6
I’m Puerto Rican but have been told I sound Caucasian over the phone. In 2000, I was relocating from NY to DC/MD area. I answered an ad & had a great 1-hr long phone interview with the owner of the company. She really liked me & thought I’d be a great fit. She will fly out from home office in TX to meet me in DC to finalize everything.
The look on this woman’s face when I introduced myself was priceless! Shock, anger, horror. She rescinded the offer and couldn’t get me out fast enough!
The look on this woman’s face when I introduced myself was priceless! Shock, anger, horror. She rescinded the offer and couldn’t get me out fast enough!
29points
#7
They pulled up my LinkedIn and interrogated my entire 15 year career history, plus college internships - one by one. It took so long we didn’t cover my most recent 5 years of work.
Then said “we don’t think your skillset aligns with this role.” No way! You asked how I demonstrated leadership in f***ing college, I’m selling multi six figure software contracts now."
The irony…they sell talent acquisition software and this was the worst recruiting experience of my life.
Then said “we don’t think your skillset aligns with this role.” No way! You asked how I demonstrated leadership in f***ing college, I’m selling multi six figure software contracts now."
The irony…they sell talent acquisition software and this was the worst recruiting experience of my life.
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27points
#8
I was head of HR and in the middle of interviewing a candidate I really liked, he had a full on stroke and had to be taken to hospital. He was 28 years old.
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26points
Some of the top drivers behind career changes include:
Remote work options (24%);
Higher pay (21%);
Better work-life balance (20%);
More meaningful or fulfilling work (11%)/
"We really began seeing this shift around the end of last year, and it has continued to accelerate into 2026," said Toni Frana, Career Expert Manager at FlexJobs. "Workers are clearly reprioritizing job adaptability over long-term loyalty and staying open to new career opportunities, even if that means trying out a new industry."
As more people look for new jobs, they'll inevitably find themselves in more interviews. And as this list shows, not all of them are memorable for the right reasons!
#9
Had someone a few months ago come in for an interview. Her past experience showed she changes jobs every few months and she admitted she also decides on a whim to just pack up and move hundreds of miles without word to her employers.
When asked how flexible she is (as in can she handle when a normal day does a complete 180). She says ‘let me show you!’ and proceeded to contort herself into a pretzel and had her leg behind her head before we knew it. 😳 Shoulda been more clear I guess. 😅
When asked how flexible she is (as in can she handle when a normal day does a complete 180). She says ‘let me show you!’ and proceeded to contort herself into a pretzel and had her leg behind her head before we knew it. 😳 Shoulda been more clear I guess. 😅
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26points
#10
RN here. Interviewed for a job as an office nurse for a surgeon. During the course of the interview he asked me if I had a boyfriend and if I liked to party?
I was very young at that time, maybe 23 or 24, and was shocked, so I just answered: yes, and sometimes? But I was very uncomfortable.
They called me back a few weeks later to offer me the job. I said no, obviously.
Today, I am much older and would have a very different response to that bull.
I was very young at that time, maybe 23 or 24, and was shocked, so I just answered: yes, and sometimes? But I was very uncomfortable.
They called me back a few weeks later to offer me the job. I said no, obviously.
Today, I am much older and would have a very different response to that bull.
25points
#11
Some years ago I had a long interview, lasted about an hour. I had my legs crossed during. When the interview was over, I stood up to leave and couldn't feel my legs. I fell face first into a stack of boxes. Ive never been so embarrassed!!🤦🏿♀️😂😂
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24points
#12
I was interviewing for a job and they were going over my resume. The job was at a retail/office medical supply company. Related experience - the satellite college I worked for: moved out. A not for profit program: Ended. Retail: Store closed. A laundry list of of places that closed including another store and my department at a phone co. The owner was incredulous. All these closed? Yes. He ended the interview and I heard him say I had bad karma. Note. They closed a year later.
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24points
#13
I had an interview with a very well-known cancer research company. The interviewer pulled out a deck of cards and told me I had to figure out which card he chose by asking questions.
I asked three questions and guessed the correct card.
Apparently, I got the right answer the wrong way… so I didn’t get the job. 😂
I asked three questions and guessed the correct card.
Apparently, I got the right answer the wrong way… so I didn’t get the job. 😂
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24points
#14
I interviewed at a hospital for food services in the 90s, and passed the first interview with flying colours. Next was with the food services chief. She looked me up and down, and said, "You can expect to be hazed," and I said, "no I don't think so," left, went back to the original interviewer, told her what was said to me and left.
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24points
#15
I once went to an interview at a bail bond place. A friend of mine set it up. It was like 90 minutes of me sitting in his manager’s office as this guy went on a c*ked-out rant. I think he asked me maybe 2 questions, I barely had to talk because he did all the talking for me. Honestly kind of expected him to pull a g*n out at some point.
Turns out the guy really liked me and wanted to bring me on. The feeling was not mutual.
Turns out the guy really liked me and wanted to bring me on. The feeling was not mutual.
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23points
#16
Mine is straightforward: I depended on public transport schedule to get to an interview, it was a 10mins walk from the train station to their office, I got there exactly 10mins before the interview, while rushing there I walked down a side road but there was a tall wall and iron gate blocking the way (some closed residential area).
Couldn't wait, climbed over, entirely ripped my suit pants, they loved it, I got the job.
Couldn't wait, climbed over, entirely ripped my suit pants, they loved it, I got the job.
23points
#17
Company calls me in for an interview, after waiting in the lobby 75 minutes past the appointment time, I am ushered into the office of the boss who takes three different phone calls in the five minutes I was in there and says on the third one “I’ll be done in a minute here, I’m wrapping up something that’s not very important.”
I walked out of there thinking ‘I would NEVER work here.’
I walked out of there thinking ‘I would NEVER work here.’
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22points
#18
A paralegal told me about interviewing with a pompous attorney who droned on, gesturing with a pen that dripped ink all over his neck and collar of an expensive starched white shirt with french cuffs. She couldn’t keep a straight face. Years later, I was in an elevator and overheard an attorney talking about the worst interview he conducted and it was the time a job candidate was inexplicably laughing during an interview and he didn’t realize until much later he had flung ink all over himself.
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21points
#19
My most recent “interview”. I’ve been unemployed due to company closure. My SIL works for a company and they need a temp person. I’m down. HR emails me, doesn’t ask for an application/resume-nothing. Asks me to come in and chat. “So tell us about you” I do. “Do you know how to handle difficult convos?” Yep I worked with surgeons. “Okay when can you start?” 😂
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18points
#20
I had an interview show up in slippers, sleep shorts, an ill fitting sweatshirt not zipped properly and no bra. When I remarked on her choice of attire, she said she didn’t think the place would be this nice.
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18points