"Corporate America" Think

I am applying for a BA spot with a local law firm and they sent a questionnaire to be completed as the next steps in their hiring process.  Please note that all of the questions but these two were ALREADY asked for in the initial application response.  See redundant?

The two questions:
1.  Please explain why you would be a good candidate for this position?
2.  Tell me about a time when you had to identify a critical issue and provide a solution to the problem.  What was the process you went through and what was the outcome?


And TWO questions? TWO? Really? I can write a dissertation on the first one and what the hell will they know? Are they judging me by my writing ability (which is pretty damn good, imo) or my ACTUAL work? GMAFB. No wonder "corporate america" is dying. We waste time by asking adults to posit on silly questions pretending that "we" (the hiring manager/recruiter) are omnipotent and will unearth some deep, dark mystery in a respone that will disqualify them for entrance into their hallowed halls of employment...or even Heaven.  When in reality, ANY applicant with a brain the size of a scuppernog seed should be able to answer these questions in a face-to-face interview in 4-5 sentences.

Can we please do away with the "Tell me a time when..." questions?  Especially in written form. I can make shit up with the best of them and they will NEVER know the difference! I am going to memorize it or use a DIFFERENT answer if asked again in person. Do these people really think we are that stupid?  I think my answer is going to be the response supplied by "Gunny Highway" (portrayed by Clint Eastwood) in the movie "Heartbreak Ridge" when asked about how he handles situations by a "desk jockey" Major that has just come over form supply to lead a group of Marine infantry men:  "Improvise, adapt and overcome."  Next stupid question, please?

It reminds me of "How do you handle a difficult person?" Really? Does anyone REALLY respond with "I called him/her a rat bastard, urinated on his/her desk and marched out of his/her office calling him/her every name in the book."

But then again this is a law firm; what should I expect?