We’re taking Killer Interview Question literally this week.
Tombstone image from Shutterstock
An epitaph is used to honor the deceased, to give a brief impression of what the person was like when he or she was alive. It’s how they want us to remember them by; a legacy if you will.
Words that are written on a tombstone should not be taken lightly, nor would you be expected to be asked about it during an interview. But some hiring managers won’t hesitate to ask a job applicant this question: “What do you want written on your tombstone?”
This is a question that is asked by a senior executive who is part of the Marketing Executives Networking Group (MENG). The executive uses this question to figure out what a candidate wants their business legacy to be.
According to Business Insider Australia:
“This exec explains to each candidate that he’s not looking for an answer like, ‘Best father, husband, wife’ — instead, he wants them to focus more on what he or she wants from their career, rather than their personal life.”
I don’t know about you, but it seems a bit inappropriate to expect someone to answer with anything other than a statement that talks about their life as a whole, not just their career. In an age where we’re already struggling to maintain a work-life balance it seems a tad selfish for a company to expect someone to dedicate their epitaph to their business legacy.
How would you tackle this question? Let us know in the comments.
Comments
19 responses to “Killer Interview Question: If You Die, What Do You Want Written On Your Tombstone?”
That seems incredibly personal and dark… I’d imagine, if people were answering honestly (which they never will!), you’d get some incredibly dark answers, or expose quite a bit of depression amongst people…
If I was asked that in an interview, I’d say, “I don’t think this organisation is right for me, thank you”…
“…instead, he wants them to focus more on what he or she wants from their career, rather than their personal life.”
In that case, why not just ask this question rather than trying to out-psych the interviewee.
A lot of HR-driods are insensitive clods.
“In every station of his life he acquitted himself with honour, integrity and an upright mind.”
That is an entirely excellent epitaph.
“Better luck next time.”
I dunno… I’m not the one who’s gonna see it. Whatever makes my family/loved ones feel good, I guess?
That’s who the ceremony and ritual is all for… it’s for the living, to come to terms with their loss. The dead don’t care… they’re dead.
?
Shouldn’t it be “when you die”?
I think that creepy question would see me smile, stand and thank them for their time.
‘Here I died, broken hearted, prayed to god, and only farted’
“I will be cremated” – next question
“First”
I don’t plan to die so that question doesn’t apply to me.
My body lie, but still I roam
Died Tragically Rescuing His Family From The Wreckage Of A Destroyed Sinking Battleship
If it’s before I leave the building I want it to say “Worst job interview ever.”
“He lived by two rules”
“Rule 1. Dont give away all your rules”
CTRL-Z
“What is dead may never die”
Here lies an atheist all dressed up and no where to go.
I’ve memorised the location to 1 million tonnes of gold. First to restore my life by any means gets it.