I have candidates come to me who thought that they were the best thing since sliced bread. One such candidate seemed a little foggy when I asked what a former boss would say. She said "Oh, he hates everyone." Ironically this same boss was listed as a reference. Given her the benefit of the doubt, I contacted this so-called boss and the recommendation was as glowing as a light bulb missing its filament! TJNTIY.

I was interviewing one gentleman some time ago and in the middle of the interview he took out two bottles of massage oil and proceeded to first warm it in his hands and then massaged it all over his neck, back and front. He repeated the procedure with the second bottle. It was weird. TJNTIY.

I've run into many strange people over my long years of interviewing candidates. My two favorites are the young woman who was impeccably dressed with great educational credentials who was apply for a job as a senior corporate banking analyst. When asked if working long hours posed a problem for her, she responded by telling me she was prepared to work as many hours at it took to do the job - so long as she didn't have to work them from the office and that she was allowed to leave everyday before it got dark outside. She told me she was afraid of the dark and couldn't go outside after sunset.

"When are and how many cigarette breaks do I get in a day. " "I don't want this job anyway, I just had to come to the interview to keep getting unemployment" I thought this was the best one I ever heard: "If I get hired can I take my friends to Vegas on the company jet" FYI - there was no company jet. TJNTIY.

I had to interview a number of people for a position and there were 5 people all arriving one after the other. One of the candidates arrived early, which I thought was a good sign and the interview proceeded very well, till, that moment when I asked her to tell me why I should hire her. She began by explaining how she knew that the guy before her was unacceptable, by the way he dressed his walk and his facial expressions. Because, she knows people and she can tell!! Not content with that she then began to tell me about what type of manager I am.

True stories: (2 are from me..and 2 are from some colleagues over the years)

1. I once had a guy send me a video montage of himself. It started out with his professional background and then he decided to give me a day in the life of......which got a little creepy.

2. I once had a person cry in an interview as I was questioning them about their background and they admitted to falsifying their resume and they broke down when I started asking them about their responsibilities in their positions.

3. I once had a guy challenge me to an arm wrestling match for the job.

The most memorable for me was when I was recruiting for a new assistant product manager. A staffing firm had convinced me they had the guy. He was young, energetic and had a MBA. On paper he looked great. Our products were very mechanical, so I always ask how mechanically inclined the candidate is and give an example. Well this poor guy went on to explain how he went to Home Depot and was able to source all the components, design and build his light saber. When he dresses up as Darth Vader the others in the club thought the light saber was a production unit! Needless to say, I didn’t hire the kid. TJNTIY.