Sneaky 'water test' bosses use in job interviews to pick the right candidate

Daily Mail​

11-07-2025

A career coach has revealed the secret tests hiring managers are quietly running during interviews - and you've probably never even noticed them.
Careers expert at professional CV writing firm TopCV, Amanda Augustine revealed that hiring managers use subtle, 'hidden' tests during interviews to assess candidates beyond their experience and skills.
By trawling Reddit for first-person accounts of interviews, Amanda has uncovered some of the wildest questions and hidden 'tests' job seekers have faced while applying for positions across different industries.
From how fast you drink a glass of water to whether or not you bring a pen, the hidden tactics are designed to uncover your true character, attitude and cultural fit - metrics that your CV probably can't help an employer gauge.
Acing these behind-the-scenes assessments could be the difference between landing your dream role or receiving that dreaded rejection email.
Amanda said: 'These 'unspoken or hidden interview tests, such as offering a glass of water to assess confidence, highlight a growing trend in hiring practices where subtle behavioural cues are used to inform decisions.
'While these tactics may seem harmless or even insightful to some, they can raise concerns about fairness in the recruitment process.'
Amanda Augustine, careers expert at TopCV, has revealed the secret tests hiring managers are quietly running during interviews-and chances are, you've never even noticed them
1. The water trick
It's common to be offered a glass or carafe of water on the interview table but, according to one user on Reddit's1 r/AskReddit, this polite gesture may serve as a subtle evaluation tool.
They began their post by explaining they were told they had passed an unspoken test during the interview.
The test involved the hiring manager placing a jug of water with a cup before the candidate to check whether they would help themselves. The interviewer also observed how quickly candidates drank the water.
After the meeting, the hiring manager shared that they use this tactic to gauge confidence - viewing those who accept the drink without hesitation as more self-assured and comfortable under pressure.
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.'
Amanda revealed that hiring managers use subtle, 'hidden' tests during interviews to assess candidates beyond their experience and skills (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.'
Amanda revealed that declining the drink might suggest discomfort, whereas calmly accepting it can signal confidence.
While analysing how someone drinks a glass of water is trivial, some employers interpret micro-behaviours as indicators of how candidates respond in high-pressure situations.
2. The irrelevant interview question
Many job seekers have encountered an interview question that seems to have little or nothing to do with the role itself.
One user on Reddit's r/AskUK2 shared that they had been asked 'If you could be an animal, what would it be and why?' – a question that was echoed by several others who had faced the same and were keen to share their thoughts on what makes a good answer.
According to Amanda, there is no right or wrong response to these types of questions. Instead, they are designed to assess how well a candidate handles the unexpected.
Amanda said the key is to answer confidently and provide rationale for your choice. This demonstrates quick thinking, creativity, and composure under pressure.
3. The pen test
'If they bring a pen, they're at the top of the pile of applications,' states one hiring manager on Reddit.
While interviews rarely involve heavy note-taking, bringing a pen can still serve as a quiet signal of preparedness, and some hiring managers are paying close attention.
In one Reddit thread on r/jobs, a hiring manager even admitted to pretending they'd forgotten their own pen, just to see if the candidate would offer theirs as a sign of forethought and initiative.
Amanda claimed this is to test if you were prepared for the interview, saying it shows professionalism.
4. Not knowing the answer
Ever left an interview concerned that you were unable to answer every question?
According to one Reddit user, that may not be such a bad thing.
In fact, always attempting to answer, even when unsure, can be a red flag, especially in high-stakes fields.
The user, an engineering professional, explained: 'One of the most dangerous types of people in an engineering environment is someone who won't admit they don't know how to do something.
'If a candidate couldn't acknowledge at least once during the interview that they weren't confident in their answer, I would raise a huge red flag.'
Amanda revealed that simply saying you 'don't know but you can find out' is the perfect way to navigate this question.