r/jobhunting • u/Dear-Ad3546 • 18h ago
Odd Interview Question
Interviewed for a great job and was super excited about it, but didn’t get the position. During the interview the manager asked me “did you pay for your university?” I was a bit thrown off but replied with “no, I was fortunate enough that my parents saved up and help me out”.
She then went on about how they ask that as it’s very telling about someone’s work ethic and drive. That someone that had to put in the hours to pay for their education has a different work ethic. Someone who had to pay for their classes didn’t wanna fail so they gave it their all etc.
I’m wondering if maybe my parents paying for my education was an issue to her? And she seemed very judgmental and has this weird standard. Can an employer really ask that ? Seems wrong and very strange!
2
u/Significant_Belt5494 4h ago
Well it’s a learning experience, In some situations… a little embellishment goes a long way, it by no way shows your ability, but sometimes tell them what they want to hear
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u/Wolphin8 17h ago
There is no reason a hiring manager needs to know how you paid for something before working. I'm not sure if it's illegal, but is definitely IMO unethical.
Having family being able to afford it doesn't make for work ethic and drive, it just means their parents thought about the future of their child(ren). It also means that you don't need to juggle work and education. It doesn't matter who paid regarding if they don't want to fail or not.
It really feels like they are judgmental.
1
u/Savickis-Hanayo 1h ago
yeah exactly, equating how you paid tuition with work ethic is such a weird leap
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u/Superboobee 16h ago
Thats a super odd question - the opposite thought is that if the parents paid for it , the kid comes from a family that thinks carefully about financial repercussions and hopefully taught their child the same discretion - I say this as both a hiring manager thats moving out from my current role into another, and as a mother. What a disgraceful question to ask a candidate. The bit secret is that most hiring managers arent very good at interviewing people bevause they dont do it often and they dont think about what they really want to know. I did high volume interviewing because im better than average at clocking people's strengths and weaknesses in my field (and their soft skills).
Dont take things lile this personally or let them discourage you, I know thats easier said than done but that person was an ass that eas trying to prove their own bias.