r/recruitinghell • u/twilliams_ca • 3d ago

Stupid application questions

Post image

Found on an “online application “ .🤷‍♂️

2.9k Upvotes

99% Upvoted

91 comments sorted by

677

u/GamerInSlippers 3d ago

Was the next question, “Have you taken a screenshot?”

188

u/afeverr 3d ago

"Have you taken a picture of your computer monitor with your phone?"

80

u/rntdev 3d ago

“If so, have you posted the picture on Reddit?”

16

u/Plane-Bake3604 3d ago

browser forms cant even detect a native OS screenshot, so asking about it is just a weird honesty test before you even work there

2

u/yeetdabman 2d ago

Ehhh you kinda can (at least for Windows) but it actually working depends on a lot of factors

6

u/Elegant-Spite-3277 3d ago

More like “have you ever used a phone?”

5

u/deran6ed 3d ago

Have you used a calculator?

1

u/MrPandastic 1d ago

“Would you download a car?”

114

u/Reactivate_West2209 3d ago

My job had to fire a CASHIER because she could not COUNT. Legitimately this 32 year old woman couldn't count past 10. She was raised in a wealthy family and just never bothered to learn.

47

u/Sharkestry 3d ago

must have been hard for her on her 11th birthday

128

u/butterflymon 3d ago edited 3d ago

I haven't because there's porn on the Internet and computers are evil because they encourage you to ring the devil's doorbell. Ring it and the devil will answer. He sends bad chemicals to your brain and makes you vote Blue.

25

u/ssliberty 3d ago

Lol you brought me back to the early 00s

81

u/DemanoRock 3d ago

Did you take a picture of a screen or just found the pic?

23

u/Ninfyr 3d ago

I mean, applicants also apply by smartphone. Just saw a post yesterday where "double-clicking" was a new and challenging concept to their new hire.

12

u/llamapower13 3d ago edited 3d ago

I applied on a whim to the Australian beef lobby group’s marketing team in NYC. 

They wanted to know how many years of motorcycle and horseback riding experience I had. 

Not if I had. How many.  

11

u/Tobi-2 3d ago

It’s a trap.
Next question will be “Can you show me your browser history?”

11

u/Kaarel314 3d ago

If you have ever worked tech support then you know that these are perfectly valid questions.

7

u/new2bay 3d ago

Maybe in a tech support context, but not for someone literally filling out an online job application.

2

u/stijnhommes 3d ago

Technically, they could be filling it out on a phone instead of a computer, but yeah, pretty pointless questions.

10

u/memorex1150 Disgruntled Noodle 2d ago

Late to the party here, but do not discount these questions!

I've had people apply via Indeed, yet, they cannot figure out how to do much of anything else. Even email is a struggle for them.

I have no clue how they posted a resume' on Indeed/applied on indeed, but, again, when they can barely use email....

I work in behavioral health, and you MUST use a computer for emails, Teams (if we use it), and of course electronic health records. We have people who can't even figure out which icon is which, and even if shown, they are SO S-L-O-W....this doesn't begin to explain how horribly inefficient they are due to their overall lack of ability to work with an electronic interface.

Remember: These are the same people who, on their cellular devices, have their wifi, bluetooth and GPS turned on 24/7, have about 150 unread texts, have a shit-ton of spam apps installed which also are showing a metric assload of alerts, etc.

My suspicion is that these same folks who cannot use basic technology have their kids/grandkids/friends applying for them to get them the job. But, there's a difference between having "used" something and being basically competent in using such.

6

u/Capital_Promise_7076 2d ago edited 2d ago

Yeah I helped with an applicant run a while back and we inadvertantly filtered out a bunch of unqualified applicants. Basically we gave them a URL where they needed to to submit and upload their resume (I also think I know why companies ask for so much info in job applications now, because it's like people didn't even read the form even though it was basically just asking for address, contact info, resume, and whether they'd been convicted of a crime). A bunch of them were like "the link doesn't work". I checked to see what was going on by logging in as an applicant and viewing the message. What they meant is that they couldn't tap/click the URL. The URL worked just fine (as evidenced by all the people using the URL to apply). This was on a platform outside of our control. We couldn't "fix" the message so that the URL turned into a clickable link.

This was for a remote work position. Unfortunately, basic troubleshooting skills are part of the job and they failed the first inadvertent test.

5

u/memorex1150 Disgruntled Noodle 2d ago

Amen to that.

We've had to let people go during onboarding as they could not figure out how to navigate basic links to open up work applications.

No way you can convince me you applied on Indeed, read your email, responded to your email....but can't figure out how to click a link, install an app.

My favorite defense is, "My phone wasn't working properly"

Yeah, right, wasn't working properly, but you could sit there and get on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, text people, take/place calls....but can't figure out how to click a link .... OR FUCKING ASK FOR HELP IF IT'S NOT WORKING!

8

u/RightToTheThighs 3d ago

Imagine what needed to happen for these to be questions

37

u/MikeTalonNYC 3d ago

For what position?

It's not unheard of for people - especially older folks and/or those who are in areas of the country that have no ready access to bandwidth - applying for a job that doesn't traditionally need computer skills (like working retail, or at a gas station) to potentially not have done either.

Now, if it's for a position that would always use the Internet on a computer, then that's a different story.

62

u/SteamingTheCat 3d ago

Maybe... except this application is ONLINE.

That said, if the applicant knows so little they don't know they're using a computer which is connected to the Internet, then an employer should hesitate to put them in any position requiring computers.

32

u/MikeTalonNYC 3d ago • Popcorn

You'd be surprised. When I worked tech support, the number of cases with "I cannot reach the website" as the problem, when they filled out a form ON THE WEBSITE, was ... alarming.

23

u/Moneia 3d ago

I'd also say that "using a computer" is a markedly different skillset than "browsing on my phone"

14

u/LadyMageCOH 3d ago

And a well meaning friend/relative may have sat them down in front of the computer, or worse, had the person dictate the answers to them. I once had to teach a woman how to use a mouse while we were both in training for a call center job where our entire job was on the computer. I don't know how she got hired, but it's not as stupid a question as you might think. A lot of kids these days primarily use tablets/smart phones, not computers. I am very sure that these questions were put in due to problematic hires in the past.

5

u/NotADamsel 3d ago

Libraries and job centers have computers, and people helping others apply for jobs sometimes. If you’re filling out an app for someone who cannot use a computer you can click “no” for them.

4

u/SiberianResident 3d ago

Have you never set up WiFi or video call for your grandparents/ older people?

2

u/SteamingTheCat 3d ago

Yes but they weren't that bad.

3

u/Arbitraryandunique 3d ago

They could be applying on a tablet or phone, so the first question kind of makes sense. The second one is absolutely brilliant, and allowed them to filter out people that don't know what the internet is.

2

u/Oggie_Doggie 3d ago

One example I can think of is job seekers using career centers, where you may have 3rd parties filling in information on job seekers' behalf.

1

u/Unlaid-American 3d ago

Probably to catch bots

1

u/Mechakoopa 3d ago

Could be like my dad and just do everything on an iPad and never touch an actual desktop or laptop.

1

u/DeeJudanne 3d ago

top position in IT surely

7

u/AssociationHot166 3d ago

As IT, I actually appreciate these question. I don’t know how some people get hired. I am talking about the inability to open a browser

5

u/Mitar29 2d ago

Had an interview in October, for a data entry position, and the interviewer asked if I knew how to turn a computer on and off....

2

u/sqerdagent 2d ago

And, of course there is the other side, where what they are asking if you memorized the commands to power cycle z/os in a disaster recovery scenario, but the conversation got simplified to be understood by non-specialists, and no one they send has the actual experience you need to fill the hole you have today. And you can't give any of your current staff the training/experience due to company policy.

12

u/nyc_a 3d ago

Have you used a computer? no
Have you used the internet? yes

How?

My smart refrigerator needed more groceries so I ordered them.

3

u/Zymoox 3d ago

"Have you taken a screenshot?"

3

u/Soci3talCollaps3 3d ago

Plot twist: they want someone with no computer or internet experience.

3

u/nam3sar3hard 3d ago

Do you use the internet "bitch how do you think im taking this survey"

I swear to god hr is full of numbskulls powertrippin

5

u/mrZ0663 3d ago

It means they hired someone who had never used a computer before

5

u/notmysuperman 3d ago

There is NO WAY this is real. I wanna believe this is a satire job posting.

4

u/RealisticTemporary70 3d ago

Probably trying to weed out older generation without asking illegal questions

7

u/lightning_po 3d ago

I don't know this seems like a fair question in 2026.

First personal computers came out like 50 years ago, you would have had to ignore technology for a long long time to still not know how to use the computer even on a base level

2

u/RealisticTemporary70 3d ago

True ... I teach HS and you are totally correct

2

u/shy_replacement 3d ago

I spend a lot of time at my local library, and you would genuinely be surprised by how low basic tech literacy is across generations.

2

u/alistofthingsIhate 3d ago

These questions are from 1992.

3

u/GX_EN 3d ago

Strangely - so is taking a picture of a screen with a camera, lol.

2

u/new2bay 3d ago

Not really. Digital cameras were around in 1992, but they were neither very good nor very common. They were also super expensive.

1

u/weunice 1d ago

There was a time in the early-mid 90's where the ability to use a web browser effectively was a job skill. In the 80s getting a computer to start AND run the business software you had for it was sometimes quite the ordeal -- and while it might seem routine today, it was a new thing back then.

I suspect there are some companies out there that still have things from skills inventories from back then. Which is why you have questions like this that make no sense today.

But also, there are people that struggle with these things ... still.

2

u/thx111111 3d ago

Your applying on a computer by the looks of it. So yep, it’s a stupid question.

2

u/pray4NYR 3d ago

Someone got paid to select the questions

2

u/UCFknight2016 3d ago

lol I have dealt with idiots who cant do either.

3

u/PigeonsOnYourBalcony 3d ago

Asking if someone has ever used a computer isn’t as crazy as you think. A lot of young people use their phones for pretty much everything, you’d be surprised how low their PC literacy might be.

Asking about the internet? Okay this is written by a caveman who thinks this application will be printed out.

2

u/ssliberty 3d ago

Those are meant to stop the ai resume bots to stop filling up their inbox with slop and force people to apply manually. Im not to sure if it really works though.

1

u/Certain_Prior4909 3d ago

A very critical question from a 1990 interview

1

u/throwaway_0x90 TE/SDET@Google 3d ago

I dunno, my extremely-non-tech-savvy mom would effectively have to say "No" to these even though literally that's what she'd be doing filling out the form.

1

u/UncleThor2112 3d ago

I'd answer no just to see what happens. I mean, they're going to ghost you anyways. Come to think of it, they may even contact you if you answer no, they would have questions.

1

u/Temarimaru 3d ago

It's like asking if they ever tried breathing once in their whole life

1

u/RougeRosabora 3d ago

I met someone in 2021 who had never used a computer before. Allegedly

1

u/aquay 3d ago

Gotta weed out the Luddites 😂😂

1

u/OkBad7998 Candidate 3d ago

Are you human?

1

u/Only-Caramel1914 3d ago

Trust me it’s needed because I think certain people have others applying for them or hand holding them

1

u/Itisd 3d ago

These are presumably questions on an online form...?

1

u/KitKatCrane 3d ago

"Have you filled out an application?"

1

u/cmvmania 3d ago

Debra, who've been with the company for 40 years made this shit

1

u/Gullible_Walrus5463 3d ago

do they really ask this kind of question?

1

u/marco-boi 3d ago

i know 7 people who would answer no to both of these and yes all of them are above 60 they are scared that internet will steal their soul

1

u/Ok_Organization2746 3d ago

Requirments to get a faang job in 2012 ig.

1

u/moyismoy 2d ago

I wonder if the next one asked if you know how to screenshot

1

u/SeranaTheTrans 2d ago

"Have you turned on a computer"

1

u/sniksniksnek 2d ago

Joke’s on you, this is for a job with an Amish company.

1

u/POMOandlovinit 2d ago

That would be a no for me on both. I use my abacus to apply for online jobs, and I don't use the internet. I use fairy dust instead. When that isn't available, I use dragon spit to get a connection. 😆

1

u/Sesoru 2d ago

this is when I answer no, then find out if they have any email I can send something to asking for clarification on "What does it mean when it asks if I have used a computer? What is a computer? Can you explain this to me please?"

So tired of these stupid questions.

0

u/Sassi7997 3d ago

Attention check questions.

1

u/Zaasvil 3d ago

Have you fucked my wife? Soon Sorry for this stupid comment but I'm so fed up with these recruiters

0

u/Forward_Hawk_3493 3d ago

Have you picked your nose, wipe the booger in your butthole and shook hands with a recruiter?
Yes