An Unusual Job Interview Technique

It was 1999 and I was interviewing for the assistant manager position at the now defunct "World of Science" toy store chain. At the interview I had mentioned that I was (at the time) a chemistry major, at which time the store manager asked me to wait a minute while she went into the store room. She emerged with a giant plastic volcano (think science fair), handed me $10, and said "I want you to go downstairs to CVS and buy the materials necessary to make this volcano erupt."

A bit stunned, I went to the store and returned with a bag full of goodies (which included alka selzer). The manager said thank you and offered me the job.

"What was the purpose of the volcano?" I asked. She replied "I have interviewed 5 people so far who claimed to be some kind of science major. The other 4 all came back and said 'The girl at the counter didn't know what would make a volcano explode'"

Moral of the story? Pay attention in college!