Job search and interview advice is EVERYWHERE on the internet. A simple Google search for “interview questions” yields almost 50 million results!
Naturally, hiring managers are aware of just how easy it is for candidates to “beat the system” – and rehearse fantastic answers to standard questions. So what do they do?
You guessed it: they start throwing curve balls.
How can you make sure that you hit the mark – and don’t strike out – when you’re asked an odd question in your next job interview? While you certainly can’t prepare for every scenario, you can learn how to identify the reasons behind these strange job interview questions. And once you understand the real reasons they’re posed, you can answer them more effectively.
To give you a head start, our Cool Springs recruiters have compiled this list of 3 oddball interview questions – and the best ways to answer them.
And if you’re searching for Middle Tennessee jobs or need more interview advice, just give our Cool Springs staffing firm a call!
Oddball Interview Questions
- You’re a new addition to the crayon box. What color would you be and why? This question has been asked of Urban Outfitters applicants, and it’s very similar to “If you could be an animal/superhero/cartoon character, which would you be and why?” Interviewers ask questions like these to find out more about your personality. If, for example, you respond with a color like red, the interviewer might assume that you have a bold or outgoing personality. Blue, on the other hand, might imply that you’re calm, creative or more reserved. And if you reply with something out-of-the-ordinary, like polka dot or plaid (instead of a single color), you’re clearly indicating that you’re different from the mainstream.
- When a hot dog expands, in which direction does it split and why? This question was asked of a job candidate who applied to SpaceX Propulsion. Honestly, there’s not a single correct response to a question like this one. Interviewers aren’t as much interested in your final answer as they are in how you come up with it. In other words, they’re gauging your thought process: how you break down a problem, and how you think through the steps to find the answer. So give them what they want! No matter what answer you ultimately provide, walk the interviewer through the steps you’d take to find it. Demonstrate that you take a logical approach to finding answers when they’re not readily available.
- What do you think you will hate most about this job? This question was asked of a Medtronic job candidate for an entry-level role. More than likely, if your interviewer asks a question like this, he is trying to gauge your honesty and maturity level. To answer this type of question effectively, don’t simply say, “I’ll love everything!” You’ll come across as either disingenuous or dismissive. Choose one minor frustration you might experience and be as honest as you can, while still remaining politically correct.
What’s the weirdest question you’ve ever been asked in an interview? Leave your comment below.
