Story time:
After hundreds of sent applications and rejections, I landed a third interview for a dream role at my dream company - There was only 1 position available with over 200 applicants. First interview was pretty much a vibe check, second was to confirm the details on my resume. Third interview was with the team lead.
Was nervous af when the third interview started but I relaxed after we made some industry jokes and talked about past projects. We bantered a bit, and was basically chilling so I wasnt in professional mode when he asked the question:
Interviewer: So what would you say is your greatest weakness?
Me without skipping a beat: I have an irrational fear of things slowly turning around to look at me. And the ocean.
Interviewer: ...
Me: Every time my family orders fish, they would spin the thingy in the middle of the table and the fish would always end up looking at me, and it would just stare into my soul with its dead white eyes. Always hated it. I like fish but I rarely order a whole fish at Chinese restaurants because of that.
Interview: Wait I-
Me: Whenever someone or something turns around to face me, I get a shiver down my spine. And it's like a very specific speed too, if they turn around naturally it's ok but if they slowly and smoothly turn like an animation with bad tweening and then stare into my eyes, I'm out.
Interviewer: ...
Me slowly realising what the question actually meant: Oh, the ocean... Because it's like... So big... And there's so much stuff in it...
Interviewer: That's not what I-
Me: You meant like shortcomings in the workplace?
Interviewer: Yes.
Me: I get tunnel vision sometimes.
A week later:
I got the job offer. Good pay, full benefits, life insurance, 401k etc etc. New boss gave me a toy fish on my first day and said my interview was very memorable.
Rapid Prototyping technician + CNC operation and programming. Not sure if I can say which company, but it's among the biggest in its industry and I'm confident that 99% of the world knows of this company or of its products. I'm almost 3 weeks in, and it's better than anything I could have imagined.
It was cathartic to uninstall all those job hunting apps and unsubscribe from all the emails about all the hot single job roles in my area. Best of luck to everyone out there.