What do you do with an elephant you can’t give away?

What do you do with an elephant you can't give away

By Isaac Shaw

What do you do with an elephant you can’t give away?

Not a question many people have to answer in their lives, but something you may have to think about anyway!

You walk into the interview room and your nerves are through the roof, but there is solace in the fact that you’ve prepared answers to typical interview questions.

  • What are your goals and aspirations?
  • Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Things are going well, but then you’re asked.

“What do you think of garden gnomes?”

Increasingly we are coming to acknowledge that most skills can be taught, and it is soft skills that people are looking for.  

Ridiculous as they may seem, these types of questions are not all that uncommon. Top universities have used them for a long time and increasingly they are being used by corporations. The purpose is to gauge how you react to unexpected scenarios and see your thought processes. As well as get a glimpse at your personality, as traditional questions won’t let anyone know what you’re really like.

Potential employers ask these questions to see how you react to a situation that you haven’t rehearsed. Increasingly we are coming to acknowledge that most skills can be taught, and it is soft skills that people are looking for.

When an interviewer asks you what vegetable you are, they are not assessing your intellect; they are trying to move you to a place where you are not rehearsed. Unfortunately, much like school, the answer matters a lot less than how you arrived there; fortunately, there are no wrong answers, as these are used to see who you really are.

What do you think of garden gnomes?If it’s an interview for a creative position, your answer would likely be different to the question “what would your autobiography be called” compared to an analytic position.

Answer truthfully, and explain your reasoning, as that is what the interviewer is most interested in, you could for example say that fishing gnomes are cute, but you don’t trust people with just gnomes in their garden, especially the ones with smiles too big. Or maybe you just say that they’re too expensive to warrant having, or that you’d rather have pretty flowers.

The ability to think on your feet is the most important thing. Don’t panic, answer appropriately, and you’ll be stellar. And always remember, your interviewer needs a recruit, they aren’t trying to trick you they are trying to get to know you. So, be yourself and have fun!

Here are some examples of slightly left-field interview questions from the Just Recruitment team:

  • If you were an animal – what would you be?
  • What would your autobiography be called?
  • If you had a choice between two superpowers, being invisible or flying, which would you choose and why?"
  • What do you think of garden gnomes?
  • How would you solve problems if you were from Mars?
  • What should be engraved on your gravestone?
  • Are you a gatherer or a hunter?

Now you know the kind of sneaky and silly questions employers will ask (as well as the more standard and boring ones) you’re well equipped to ace that interview, maybe even ask some weird questions of your own!

 

If you enjoyed this article, you may like: 
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Published: 3 April 2025
© Copyright Just Recruitment Group Ltd 2025

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Counterbalance FLT Drivers
Sector: Production and Stock Control
Salary: £16.87 per hour
Location: Hadleigh, Suffolk
Role: Full Time
Contract: Temporary
Job ref: JT-HAD-FD-0725
About the role

Just Temps seeks reliable and hardworking Counterbalance FLT Drivers for a hands-on role in a fast-paced environment, within a well-established food manufacturing company, based in Hadleigh, Suffolk.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 11pm to 7am.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Heavy lifting – regularly handling up to 50kg
  • Ripping and tipping of raw materials
  • Maintaining a clean and safe working environment
  • Working in a dusty environment with appropriate PPE
  • Supporting general production and manufacturing tasks

Role requirements include:

  • Comfortable with heavy lifting on a continuous basis
  • Previous experience in a factory setting is desirable
  • Good attention to detail and strong work ethic
  • Reliable and punctual

What’s on offer:

  • Competitive hourly rate
  • Consistent Monday to Friday hours
  • Long-term opportunity with a reputable local employer

If you're ready to roll up your sleeves and get stuck into a vital role in the food production industry, we want to hear from you.

 

Just Temps acts as an Employment Business for the supply of Temporary Staff.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. 
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

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Accounts Administrator
Sector: Accountancy, Banking and Finance
Salary: £30,000 per annum
Location: Colchester
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913707
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a well-regarded and long-standing family business based on the outskirts of Colchester, looking to add an Accounts Administrator to their team.

Please note that due to the location, you will need access to your own transport.

Working hours:

Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm. 1 hour lunch break. The company can be flexible and offer a 4 day week.

Free parking is available on-site.

You must have a minimum of 3 years’ experience working with Sage 50 accounts and Sage payroll, with the ability to work on your own initiative.

This role is focused within the remit of bookkeeping up to trial balance using Sage software.

Duties will include:

  • Ensure timely and accurate recording of financial transactions.
  • Daily financial operations, including posting of supplier invoices, reconciliation of supplier accounts, accounts payable management, creation of customer invoices, accounts receivable management, etc.
  • Perform bank/credit-card reconciliations, including a factoring banking account and Petty cash accounts.
  • Quarterly VAT returns and analysis. (including RTI submission to HMRC).
  • Prepare weekly aged creditors reports and process weekly supplier payments, run accordingly.
  • Prepare monthly aged debtors reports and provide credit control where required.
  • Maintain cashflow forecast for the Finance Director to review.
  • Process monthly payroll, payments, journal entries and year-end procedures (including RTI submission to HMRC).
  • Manage auto-enrolment pension contributions, submissions and legal returns to the pensions regulator.

Skills required include:

  • Significant experience in finance or accounting.
  • Proficiency with accounting software, Sage 50, and payroll.
  • Advanced knowledge of spreadsheet software such as Excel.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Experience in data entry.
  • Effective decision-making and problem-solving techniques within a finance environment.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
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Factory Operative (Nights)
Sector: Production and Stock Control
Salary: £15.27 per hour
Location: Hadleigh, Suffolk
Role: Full Time
Contract: Temporary
Job ref: JT-HAD-FO-0625
About the role

Just Temps seeks reliable and hardworking Factory Operatives for a hands-on role in a fast-paced environment, within a well-established food manufacturing company, based in Hadleigh, Suffolk.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 11pm to 7am.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Heavy lifting – regularly handling up to 50kg
  • Ripping and tipping of raw materials
  • Maintaining a clean and safe working environment
  • Working in a dusty environment with appropriate PPE
  • Supporting general production and manufacturing tasks

Role requirements include:

  • Comfortable with heavy lifting on a continuous basis
  • Previous experience in a factory setting is desirable
  • Good attention to detail and strong work ethic
  • Reliable and punctual

What’s on offer:

  • Competitive hourly rate
  • Consistent Monday to Friday hours
  • Long-term opportunity with a reputable local employer

If you're ready to roll up your sleeves and get stuck into a vital role in the food production industry, we want to hear from you.

 

Just Temps acts as an Employment Business for the supply of Temporary Staff.~
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. 
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Quality & Compliance Manager
Sector: Business, Consulting and Management
Salary: £45,000 - £50,000 per annum
Location: Colchester
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913704
About the role

Just Recruitment is partnering with a company based on the outskirts of Colchester to recruit a Quality & Compliance Manager.

You will be responsible for managing and overseeing the company’s compliance and quality assurance activities, ensuring the effective implementation and maintenance of ISO standards and internal controls across the business.

Duties will include:

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  • Assist in the implementation and maintenance of ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) and ISO 27001 (Information Security Management), ensuring ongoing compliance with the standards.
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  • Ensure ongoing compliance with FCA regulations, including record-keeping, reporting, and adherence to guidelines.
  • Monitor regulatory updates and ensure that all processes are updated in line with FCA requirements.
  • Assist in preparing reports for submission to regulatory bodies and ensure proper documentation of all compliance efforts.

Role requirements include:

  • Proven experience in a compliance or quality assurance role, preferably within a regulated industry.
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  • Exceptional attention to detail with strong organisational skills.
  • Ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the organisation, both verbally and in writing.
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  • A relevant degree or professional qualification in a related field is advantageous.
  • Six Sigma certifications.
  • Certified Internal Auditor (CIA).
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Additional pay:

  • Bonus scheme.
  • Performance bonus.

Benefits include:

  • Company events.
  • Company pension.
  • Free flu jabs.
  • Health and wellbeing programme.
  • On-site parking.
  • Profit sharing.

Hours:

Monday to Thursday, 8.30am to 5.30pm.
Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. The actual salary paid will be dependent on your level of experience, qualifications and skill set.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more