Best: "If an AI could replace your job at this company but we would keep you on the payroll, what would you do with your time?"

Worst: "So, you are here for the position of front-end SQL developer?"

That worst question was asked by an HR interviewer from a company with two job openings (Javascript UI dev, Database manager), but money for only one developer. I told him to not commit & push vacancy advertisements before resolving merge conflicts, but drew a blank stare. This is why you never let non-techies acquire developers.

The good question really made me think for a bit. After that I responded, quite honestly: That I would try to balance self-improvement and relaxation, take at least one extra day per week off, spend some time at the office to think about new innovative products, work more on silly hobby projects (electronics), and travel quite a bit more.

I still work for this company, and of course there's shit tons of work to be done and (luckily?) no replacer AI in sight. But they've actually integrated a lot of things I mentioned during that interview: They set up a soldering workbench for personal electronics projects, and asked me to lead the "labs" division where novel ideas for the product are tested. They ask this question during every employee interview, and try to implement some of the more realistic responses.

@bittersweet Wow, can't imagine something like that happening around here anywhere, must be awesome working in your company! Congratulations man!

@bittersweet that's so awesome, where do you work?

@bittersweet it will never happen because no one here could build one... and if anyone could, it would be me

I'd watch "Friends" over again 😂