What is the right answer.....pls help
By cheenlly
@cheenlly (3476)
Philippines
January 1, 2007 1:40am CST
I remember when i graduated college and i applied for work. I was interviewed twice. At first i passed it it was only a simple question like about only your personal background. So i feel relief after, the interviewer said i should have go into the next interview then thats start again the nervous. Well its actually my first time to apply so i wait about 1 hour. when they called and they start interview i could say i was quite good until the last question. I dont know it's like a pyschological question i guess. Here it is:
-If your given a chance to be an element, what would you choose fire or water? and why?
I was not really ready for it and i was really skeptical about it but i still answer water. I choose water because it symbolizes freedom and its very flexible and useful. Well, that's only what i have in mind but im not really satisfied with it as well as the interviewer i think and i was thinking that would make me not pass the interview and im right indeed i didnt got the job. I really feel bad about it. Its not really a good feeling. I feel like i did something wrong. I was turned down but in time i learned to accept it as i treat as charged to experience but im still thinking is my answer not really good? If your in my shoe and you where ask about it what whould you choose and how you would explain it that would really satisfied the interviewer? what should be the best answer? I think your answer will help me get an idea next time i encounter such question...Please help..give your idea. thanks.
5 people like this
7 responses
@bcote212 (1112)
• United States
25 Apr 07
As a supervisor for my company I can tell you that there is not a right or wrong answer for this question. The reason that you were asked this is because the interviewer wanted to throw something at you that you were not expecting, and it worked. i can tell you that your answer was perfect! Especially when you told him that it was because water was flexable. Personally I would be fire. The reason that I would be fire is because I have a burning desire to use the qualities that I have already learned while having the opportunity for advancement. You did a great job, and I know that you posted this question a while back, so I hope that you got the job.
@clarah_cille (654)
• Philippines
27 Apr 07
i agree with you that there's no wrong answer for the question. the interviewer just wanna test how fast you think and if you could justify your answer well enough.
2 people like this
@cheenlly (3476)
• Philippines
27 Apr 07
oh thank you bcote212 for cheering me up. NOw im convinced im not wrong. so now i realized its all about justifying the answer and both fire and water have its own qualities. Yes, actually i wasnt expecting that qeustion but im glad i came acrossed with it. its a learning experience to me and oh unfortunatley i didnt get the job but i had already move on. perhaps thats not really meant for me.
1 person likes this
@mdchennai (2129)
• India
25 Apr 07
First of all i am too late to help you out in this discussion. I think till now you would have got some good job and settled over there. Anyway, if they would have asked me that question then even i would have given the reply as water. The reason that i would have given is that, the fire can be put off by water and the water flows freely even if there is any distraction on its movement, it adjusts itself and moves.
Well, to give this reply i thinked little bit. But being in your situation with so much nervousness i dont think i would have given such a reply :)
3 people like this
@cheenlly (3476)
• Philippines
27 Apr 07
oh your not too late because even that was past, still it will help me as its a good knowledge to learn some other point of views and your explanation is good too. yeah i think even if you know how to answer such question but if your very nervous, surely you will be distracted.
1 person likes this
@pinklilly (3443)
• Australia
26 Apr 07
4 months on I hope you have moved on and learnt from this interview experience... Don't worry so much about why you didn't get the job it just wasn't meant to be...
To that question they asked you I would expect it would reseamle your personality and I don't think they would have based their place acceptance soley on that question... Some Interviewiers do come out with stupid questions which stump alot of people but don't let it get to you if you weren't accepted. Just be your self and when the right job comes along you will have No problems and I am sure that you can only learn from these experiences...
My answer would have been water as it is part of Earth and we need it in order to survive and water can put out a fire, so is more powerful even though seems gentle...
@gemini1960 (1161)
• Philippines
26 Apr 07
I think you have jsut answer what really is in your mind at that time and for me its a fine answer but im not the one who interview you, maybe its just that there are other that they think much more qualified than you. Stop thinking about it, you msut move on.
@haedescanes (592)
• Philippines
27 Apr 07
well that was one tough question. I am sorry to hear that you didn't get the job. What i could suggest is before answering a question you should pause for a while and think about your choice and your answer. In that way, you can organize your thoughts and support your answer. In my point of view, i would have chosen fire, why? because company need an individual who have flame inside them. There is this burning desire to work in their company. The fire will signify your skills and will affect others once they have known you because they will burn and intense their enthusiasm to work and achieve the company's goal. Fire will always signify the burning desire to work or the flame that is waiting for others to experience. meaning you will become a leader with your flame. Water is flexible but it is often cold and signifies that you will not work hard because of the feeling of coldness. In order for it to be hot, you need fire. that is why fire will be a good choice here. Goodluck! Hope i have enlighten you on this one.
2 people like this
@haedescanes (592)
• Philippines
30 Apr 07
hello my friend! thanks for choosing my response as the best answer. If you need some help, i am very much willing to help you. I had experience with job interviews but i can't answer all of them I am just here at mylot if you need my help. Thanks a lot once again. Goodluck!
@aciddrop (798)
•
26 Apr 07
i think this is a test to see your personality.water stands for mildness and calmness,while fire,we know,is enthusiastic and devoted regardless of itself.so whatever you choose,there wont be any negative effect for their impression of you.they just wanna have a rough idea of,what kind of person you are:)
1 person likes this
@summergorgeous (674)
• Philippines
28 Apr 07
im sorry to hear that you didnt get the job. and i hope that you've moved on and have a job now.
dont worry about what had happened because the interviewer might just want to pressure you by throwing an unxpected question and observe how you deal under those circumstances. interviewers usually try many technique in throwing you off the course, they could just tell you a joke or ask you a teasing question in the middle of a serious conversation.
anyway, i think you have done well on that interview. your answer i really good. but if i was asked that question, i would probably choose fire but i think i would be lost on giving an explanation to that answer except that it symbolizes my intense desire to succeed.
1 person likes this
