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Do you think the subject matter of the question is off-limits, or do you object to the way it's being asked?


No, I think that the subject matter is perfectly appropriate and that OP is either pretty clever or quite experienced to come up with it. In fact, I would even hope to have a such a discussion to know that the prospective employer is serious and has put as much thought into the process as I have.

I have always believed the the interview process must be a 2 way street; we are equals interviewing each other for mutually beneficial long term possibilities. The way OP presented this seemed way too manipulative for my taste; it destroyed that "equal plane" I covet.

So yes, my problem was not with the subject material, but the way it's being asked. (Which is also why I added the little ASIDE; I wanted to demonstrate that without just looking like a snarky response.)


Noted. I didn't mean to come off as adversarial or manipulative. This is really a conversation starter, and I rarely just write down the answer and move on.

But I do feel like it helps me learn a whole lot about the candidate without compromising that trust or condescending to them with "what's your biggest weakness?" or some such.




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