I hope that stuff has stopped somewhat but it was definitely all the rage during the mid-late 2000s. I applied for Best Buy GeekSquad when I was starting my career and “failed” their stupid hour long online psych eval that was probably (or should be) illegal. Considering my intelligence and the trajectory of my career they would have been lucky to have me, but I am glad I didn’t get the job, so I would say these are red flags you don’t want to work there anyway.
> I would say these are red flags you don’t want to work there anyway.
That's kind of ignoring OP's point: people that are desperate for income will put up with abuse to get work. Of course they don't want to work there and the working conditions are often stink.
I failed that as well back then! I still (mostly) remember the question that I knew was going to sink me. The scenario was that I caught a coworker stealing a pencil from the company, and the question was what I would do about it. I stubbornly chose whatever the ‘do nothing’ option was, and continued my time as a line cook for several more years. I probably dodged a bullet there.
You're correct. The pencil question is their signature gambit. When I interviewed at BB as a high schooler, I also answered this question incorrectly (but earnestly) and the hiring manager took pity on me, saying effectively "I like you, so I'll give you another chance. When the GM asks you this question you ALWAYS say 'stealing is wrong no matter what'".
You definitely dodged a bullet, btw! That job was my first lesson in corporate hell
