Job applicant hired after unknowingly completing secret 'water test' during interview

For many hopeful applicants, job interviews can be a nerve-racking experience - but sometimes, it takes more than just nailing the answer to complex questions to land your dream job. In recent years, a number of CEOs and hiring managers have gone viral after revealing additional 'tests' they use to assess a candidate's suitability, such as the 'salt and pepper challenge' and 'beer test.'.

In the beer test, which the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs famously used when interviewing candidates, applicants are asked to accompany hiring managers on a walk or for a drink so that their true personalities to be revealed. Another technique is now at the centre of discussion on social media - and it involves a humble jug of water.

On a resurfaced Reddit post from 2017, curious user u/Not_Again_Reddit prompted hiring managers to share 'secret' tests candidates have been put through 'without their knowing.'. The post, which appeared in r/AskReddit, received hundreds of responses from both hiring managers and candidates - with one applicant revealing a simple water trick that many people would most likely overlook.

They wrote: 'Not a Hiring Manager but I spoke to mine after being hired and she told me that a method that they use when hiring, is they put a jug of water with a cup out to see if anyone would drink it while being interviewed. 'I was the only person who drank the water at a "normal pace" during the interview and this is seen as being 'confident in the workplace environment by accepting a gift or offer.'.

A job applicant took to Reddit to reveal a simple water trick that determined whether or not they were suitable for the role (stock image). The water trick assesses a candidate's ability to be calm and confident - and it could be spell bad news for those who drink it too quickly or refuse a beverage altogether (stock image).

They added: 'Apparently you can tell a lot about a person from the way they refuse the offer of the water or by drinking it too fast. 'If you encounter a similar situation in an interview and are wondering what a "normal pace" is, I just drank after I answered each question.'.

In response to the applicant's comment, one startled former candidate wrote: 'Holy c**p, there was water on the table when I interviewed for my current job. Maybe that's why they hired me when I was only half-qualified. However, another user questioned the advice, adding: 'I had a recruiter tell me to not drink anything during the interview, lest I spill it on myself or elsewhere.'.

A third noted: 'I'd politely refuse it even if I were thirsty because I'm wearing lipstick and wouldn't want to leave a stain on the cup. 'So that seems like a test that probably ends up discriminating slightly against women (and men who choose to wear cosmetics).'.

Agreeing, a fellow Redditor wrote: 'Lipstick stains are embarrassing, and most interviews are 30-60 minutes, I wouldn't get exceptionally thirsty, and what if it made me have to pee?. 'Also, I can keep my voice utterly calm and pleasant even when I'm totally freaking out in my head, but my hands sometimes can have a little bit of a tremor. Not good circumstances for drinking water!'.

Another applicant playfully remarked: 'See, this is where we differ. I use lipstick to mark my territory and establish dominance.'. Finally, one horrified Redditor wrote: 'I would hate this.. I always drink fast, it would easily be misinterpreted.'. Elsewhere, a CEO has revealed a test he uses in interviews to see if candidates are up for the job - and it has nothing to do with their CV.

Trent Innes, the former managing director of Xero Australia, revealed that while hiring at the company he would test potential employees by offering them a cup of coffee in the interview. Speaking to the Venture Podcast with Lambros Photios, Trent, who is now the CEO of investment company Compono, said the trick gives him a snapshot into a candidate's 'attitude' and 'ownership'.

Before commencing a interview, Trent says he usually takes the prospective employee for a walk to the kitchen, where they will be offered either a glass of water, coffee, tea or soft drink. 'I'm probably giving away all my dark secrets here now,' continued Trent.

'But if you do come in and have an interview, as soon as you come in and meet me, I will always take you for a walk down to one of our kitchens and somehow you always end up walking away with a drink. 'Then we take that back, have our interview, and one of the things I'm always looking for at the end of the interview is, does the person doing the interview want to take that empty cup back to the kitchen?'.