While I agree that questions about High School are dumb, if a candidate answered the question with "this question is irrelevant" in a free-form text field (as they did in the screenshot), I would probably thing twice about hiring the person.
I have more respect for someone who credibly says "this specific question isn't worth my time" than someone who meekly does whatever is asked.
oh, and the blogger gave a smarta* answer to a free-form text question?
Yep, insubordination is still there. I'd pass on this candidate too.
I also don't think this is a "smartass" answer:
> This is an irrelevant question unless you're focusing on recent grads with no job history.
That is a straightforward statement of his opinion. He's perfectly within his rights not to answer any question, and explaining why he chooses not to is hardly an unreasonable thing to do.
If he doesnt want the job, why waste eveyones time with this childishness? If he does want the job, why not play ball?
But allow me to give you some advice: good managers don't have subordinates, they have a team.