Poll: Tough Interview Questions

[Mogule]

So I'm bored and want something to think about. How about some interview questions?!

I applied for a firefighting job a few months ago, and in the interview, they asked a question that hit real hard and came, practically, out of nowhere. 'If you went in a structure for a search and rescue, and you found a downed child, and a downed firefighter, which would you save if you could only take one?'

That was the basis of the question at least. How would you answer that? At the very least in an interview setting? What about any questions you were asked that just stumped you.

My answer:

Spoiler

I chose the firefighter, as they were currently making a positive impact on the community. Also, the order of importaince on a scene goes (Most importaint to least) Me-Partner-Victim-Property

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

There's only one man who can do Tough Interview Questions

 

[DefunctTheory]

You answered correctly.

Which is kind of fucked up, if you think about it.

 

[Plurralbles]

well, the more likely to survive is the one you ought to pick.. Therefore, firefighter.

It's the firefighter's job to go into burning buildings.

The child didn't get out in time.

It's a tragedy but less so for the community at large.\

Here's a difficult question: Ninja's Or Pirates?

 

[BreakfastMan]

I would choose the child. The firefighter knows what he/she was getting into when he/she signed up for the job. They knew it could end like this when they joined. The child was not in there of his/her own free will. It just seems natural to rescue the child.

 

[Sneeze]

That is a tough one... Saving the firefighter could indirectly save numerous more people (though you could argue the same about the child once they grew up), the child would be easier to save being lighter so you'd place less risk on yourself, but then again the job of a firefighter is living for the risk... A childs' death is always a greater tragedy than an adults... I honestly have no idea.

 

[Katana314]

One of the basic hard ones is "what is your main weakness?" I've learned to answer it with a personal problem that I've solved, like "I have a horrible memory, which is why I always take notes when listening to someone"

 

[Dags90]

I would choose the child. The firefighter knows what he/she was getting into when he/she signed up for the job. They knew it could end like this when they joined. The child was not in there of his/her own free will. It just seems natural to rescue the child.

Without further information about their condition and assuming all else is equal, the firefighter is also the one most likely to be able to get out on his own, should he/she recover. Plus children weigh less.

 

[Faladorian]

I would choose the child. The firefighter knows what he/she was getting into when he/she signed up for the job. They knew it could end like this when they joined. The child was not in there of his/her own free will. It just seems natural to rescue the child.

Without further information about their condition and assuming all else is equal, the firefighter is also the one most likely to be able to get out on his own, should he/she recover. Plus children weigh less.

But the whole argument for saving children is that they could become something when they grow up. Like... I don't know... a firefighter?

Let's desensitize this hypothetical. If you had a tree that's already growing apples, or an apple, which would you want to keep?

 

[Kortney]

I'd save the child, because as a firefighter you are signed up with the understanding that your work is dangerous. Casualties happen in the firefighting department. It's like asking me "Would you save a soldier or a child in a war situation?" I'd save the child, because he wasn't signed up to do a specific job that could involve death.

I'd also say that as a firefighter I would expect for my colleges to save the child. Because that's what firefighters are paid to do. Rescue and put their life on the line. Children aren't. That's my rationality.

 

[Dags90]

But the whole argument for saving children is that they could become something when they grow up. Like... I don't know... a firefighter?

Let's desensitize this hypothetical. If you had a tree that's already growing apples, or an apple, which would you want to keep?

That's an argument, but it's certainly not the only one possible presented in the OP's scenario. That's what makes these questions more difficult. Also an apple is more akin to a fetus as far as analogies go. A more proper analogy would be a sapling tree of unknown variety and an apple tree that' bearing fruits.

 

[Midnight Crossroads]

The firsfigher. He has the greatest potential to save more lives further down the line. He is your colleague in a field where watching out for your buddies is a matter of life and death. Whereas the child probably isn't pulling a full time to make sure his family can eat, the firefighter probably does have that family to support.

 

[Katana314]

Related:
http://www.theonion.com/video/firefighter-died-to-save-unimpressive-teen,18967/

 

[bl4ckh4wk64]

So I'm bored and want something to think about. How about some interview questions?!

I applied for a firefighting job a few months ago, and in the interview, they asked a question that hit real hard and came, practically, out of nowhere. 'If you went in a structure for a search and rescue, and you found a downed child, and a downed firefighter, which would you save if you could only take one?'

That was the basis of the question at least. How would you answer that? At the very least in an interview setting? What about any questions you were asked that just stumped you.

My answer:

Spoiler

I chose the firefighter, as they were currently making a positive impact on the community. Also, the order of importaince on a scene goes (Most importaint to least) Me-Partner-Victim-Property

I have to disagree with your order of importance of the scene. I believe it would be Victim-Partner-Me-Property. Both you and your partner are aware of the danger of going into those situations and everything I've been taught about jobs like being an EMT, firefighter, and policeman tell me that the innocent bystander is always of the utmost importance.

 

[Paksenarrion]

Save child.
Guilt trip child into building time machine when he grows up.
Child builds time machine.
Child goes back in time.
Child rescues himself.
???
Space-Time Continuum becomes unstable.

So, you see, you chose correctly.

 

[Faladorian]

But the whole argument for saving children is that they could become something when they grow up. Like... I don't know... a firefighter?

Let's desensitize this hypothetical. If you had a tree that's already growing apples, or an apple, which would you want to keep?

That's an argument, but it's certainly not the only one possible presented in the OP's scenario. That's what makes these questions more difficult.

That's the way I see it. Sorry, but I'd save the firefighter.

Also an apple is more akin to a fetus as far as analogies go. A more proper analogy would be a sapling tree of unknown variety and an apple tree that' bearing fruits.

You're right, it was an on-the-spot analogy and I screwed it up. Thanks for pointing out my mistake

 

[crudus]

My least favorite: What would you say is your worst weakness?

You answered correctly.

Which is kind of fucked up, if you think about it.

I chose Firefighter seeing as how he has a better chance of impacting more people than a random child does. However, I could have seen them pulling a "The firefighter knew the risks of going in there so you should choose the child".

Let's desensitize this hypothetical. If you had a tree that's already growing apples, or an apple, which would you want to keep?

Ok, how many kids do you know grow up to be a firefighter or anything that isn't pushing pencils or cleaning fryers? Not every apple (seed) grows up to be a tree. I would doubt 1 in 10 even gets to be a tree. A fish in the net and all that.

WHY should I have to save a firefighter from a burning building?
Then again, odds are the kid was the idiot who started the fire so.......
NOT hating on kids, just being honest

I agree and had the same line of thought. Then again, I am also thinking that if you can carry 300 pounds of firefighter and gear, you can handle an extra 50 pounds.

 

[DefunctTheory]

My least favorite: What would you say is your worst weakness?

You answered correctly.

Which is kind of fucked up, if you think about it.

I chose Firefighter seeing as how he has a better chance of impacting more people than a random child does. However, I could have seen them pulling a "The firefighter knew the risks of going in there so you should choose the child".

No, Fire Fighter is actually the right answer.

By regulation.

 

[crudus]

No, Fire Fighter is actually the right answer.

By regulation.

Yeah, makes me feel kinda dirty on the inside that it is a regulation. Then again, it costs a lot of money to outfit and train a firefighter. Nothing is really lost when the kid dies.

Captcha: Is that a mathematical formula?

 

[DefunctTheory]

Captcha: Is that a mathematical formula?

You got one of those too?

I thought they only did letters! What in the hell is this crap...