28/02/2018
Strange interviews questions can really stump you in your tracks, which leads to a decline in confidence; something you really don't need in a job interview.
It always helps to be prepared for interview questions, so we’ve compiled a list of the strangest interview questions ever asked and some ideas of how to go about answering them.
Imagining yourself as something else
- If you were a fruit, what kind would you be and why?
- What dinosaur would you like to be?
If you are asked to imagine yourself as something else, then the interviewer wants to know how you view yourself. So respond with an answer that portrays you in positive light and promote self-confidence.
Being able to respond to obscure questions
- Would you rather know a lot about a little or a little about a lot?
- Tell me 20 unique selling points about this BIC pen
- Which magic power would you like to have?
- Who would win in a fight superman or batman?
If you are asked a strange question like any of the above, you want to respond in character, to show some of your personality, but also in a way that shows that you have a strong and well-balanced character.
The personal questions
- Would you drive through an amber traffic light?
- Do you wear jeans outside of work?
- Do you prefer to be right, or be liked?
- Are you a Coronation Street or EastEnders fan?
If you are asked a personal question, remember to answer with honesty and then back up your answer with a well thought through explanation that can relate to the role. For instance for number two, you could explain how you like to keep your professional attire for work and casual clothes for when you’re not in work (which shows you believe in a healthy work-life balance).
The ones that are just plain strange
- How do you get an elephant in a fridge?
(*Shrugs* It depends on the size of the fridge, the size of the elephant etc. This question is testing your problem solving abilities, so explain how you would work this out.)
- Please bring a toy with you and explain how this reflects you as a person or a part of your personality.
(The item itself isn’t as important as the explanation. Make sure your explanation shows you in a good light and also ensure you incorporate a trait they are looking for from the candidate, e.g. take a bouncy ball in and explain how you are always on the ball and are a motivated individual who has a lot of energy for work and many new ideas to share with the company.)
- How many hours would it take to clean every single window in London?
(The interviewer doesn’t expect you to know the exact answer, hopefully. Again, this one is about your problem solving abilities and how you go about working this out, consider all the factors, such as the population of London and businesses, varying window sizes etc and then take an educated guess. Hint: it'll probably take more than two hours.)
- How many people born in 2013 were named Gary?
(28 is the answer! Presumably this question was asked to see whether the interviewee takes an interest in current affairs because I just did a quick internet search and found a bunch of newspapers talking about baby names going extinct.)
