Interview questions can sometimes be downright bizarre, but there's often a method to the madness. Companies like Facebook, Google, and Apple use these unconventional questions to delve deeper into a candidate's thought processes, creativity, and personality.
James Dooley from Searcharoo has explained 15 of the strangest interview questions companies have actually asked, along with the rationale behind them. James also provides tips on how to approach them effectively.
The Strangest Questions
Cisco: “If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be and why?”
Choose a tree that represents your qualities and values, as the question aims to assess your personality and self-perception.
Explain your choice with attributes that align with the role you're applying for.
Facebook: “25 racehorses, no stopwatch. 5 tracks. Figure out the top three fastest horses in the fewest number of races.”
The question evaluates your mathematical ability. To answer this question, break down the problem into smaller, manageable parts. Consider grouping the horses and conducting elimination races to find the top contenders efficiently.
Google: “How many basketballs would fit in this room?”
As this evaluates your estimation skills and logical reasoning, you should think about the volume of the room and the size of a basketball. Provide a structured estimation process rather than a random guess.
Blizzard Entertainment: “If you could have dinner with any three people (dead or alive), who would they be?”
The question reveals your personal interests and values. Choose then individuals who have inspired you or whose work aligns with your career and personal values. Explain the significance of each choice.
Bed Bath & Beyond: “If you were a box of cereal, what would you be and why?”
This question gauges your creativity and personality fit. You should therefore pick a cereal that resonates with your personality and strengths. Be creative in linking your choice to your professional traits.
Goldman Sachs: “How would you explain a database in three sentences to your eight-year-old nephew?”
This tests your ability to simplify complex concepts. Therefore, you should use simple language and relatable analogies. Focus on clarity and comprehension.
American Heart Association: “What's the color of money?”
How you pay attention to detail and cultural knowledge is central to this question. But this answer may vary by country. In the U.S., for example, money is predominantly green.
Microsoft: “If you had a choice between two superpowers, being invisible or flying, which would you choose?”
This reveals one’s personality traits and decision-making process. Reflect on the implications of each superpower and choose one that aligns with your values and professional strengths.
Intel: “How would you design a spice rack for the blind?”
This sounds like a trick question, but fear not. Think of the question as nothing but something that will evaluate your problem-solving and empathy skills.
Consider the needs and challenges faced by visually impaired individuals. Focus on practical and inclusive design solutions.
Apple: “If you were a pizza deliveryman, how would you benefit from scissors?”
This evaluates creativity and out-of-the-box thinking. Think creatively about practical uses for scissors in the context of pizza delivery, such as cutting pizza boxes or coupons.
Microsoft: “How would you test an elevator?”
This question evaluates your analytical and problem-solving skills. Discuss different testing methods, including safety, functionality, and user experience. Think about various scenarios and edge cases.
Dell: “Describe the internet to someone who just woke up from a 30-year coma.”
This question sounds daunting, but it basically tests your communication skills and ability to explain complex concepts.
The key here is to use simple, everyday language. Draw comparisons to concepts that existed 30 years ago to create understanding.
Zappos: “If you could be any animal in the world, what animal would you be and why?”
Select an animal that reflects your personality and strengths, as this assesses your cultural fit and creativity. Relate your choice to qualities relevant to the job.
Bank of America: “What's the angle between the hour and minute hand at 3:15?”
The question merely tests your logical and mathematical reasoning. Break down the problem into steps, considering the positions of the clock hands. Calculate the angle with precision.
Google: “How many cows are in Canada?”
Don’t panic with this question. It just assesses your estimation skills and logical reasoning. Use logical steps to estimate, such as considering the number of farms and average herd sizes. Show your reasoning process clearly.
Tips for Answering Unconventional Questions
James offers tips when you encounter unconventional, if not bizarre, questions in a job interview.
Stay calm: Don't panic when faced with an unusual question. It's often more about your thought process than the exact answer.
Think aloud: Verbalize your thought process to show how you approach problems.
Be creative: Use your imagination and don't be afraid to think outside the box.
Relate to the job: Wherever possible, connect your answer to qualities and skills relevant to the position you're applying for.
Be honest: Give genuine answers that reflect your true personality and values.
James explains, “These unconventional questions actually help the interviewers understand how the candidates think on their feet and look at unexpected challenges. It's really less about getting the 'right' answer and more about revealing the candidate's analytical and creative process.”
FAQs
There's no right or wrong answer, so be sure to pause and take a deep breath. In addition to staying calm, you should handle unusual questions by having set interview talking points, treating the interview like a work meeting and consider why the question is even being asked in the first place.
What questions are asked at the Pizza Hut interview? ›
These include questions like “Why do you want the job?”, “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”, “Can you tell us more about yourself?” and “Where do you see yourself in the next few years?”. Bonus Tip: Try practicing your answers out loud in front of the mirror; this is a proven way of boosting confidence.
What is a creative question to ask an interviewee? ›
Unique and Weird Big Picture Questions
If you were the CEO of our company, what would your 5 year plan be? If you were interviewing me for my job, what would you want to know about me? If you had an unlimited budget, what innovation would you want to create in our industry? How could AI potentially change our industry?
How to answer puzzle in interview? ›
Here are a few steps to follow to answer puzzles for interviews:
- Take some time to think about the problem. ...
- Seek clarification and ask questions. ...
- Use strategies you know. ...
- Explain your answer. ...
- Provide a solution. ...
- Riddles. ...
- Finding amounts. ...
- Number tricks.
Can one bad answer ruin an interview? ›
In a job interview, every word counts. Even one bad answer could kill your chances at getting hired, Eric Yaverbaum, CEO of Ericho Communications, tells CNBC Make It. Yaverbaum has interviewed thousands of candidates throughout his 40-plus year career as a public relations expert.
Why should I hire you? ›
A: When answering, focus on your relevant skills, experience, and achievements that make you the best fit for the role.You should hire me because I am a hard worker who wants to help your company succeed. I have the skills and experience needed for the job, and I am eager to learn and grow with your team .
How to answer tell us about yourself? ›
The best way to answer "Tell me about yourself" is with a brief highlight-summary of your experience, your education, the value you bring to an employer, and the reason you're looking forward to learning more about this next job and the opportunity to work with them.
What are your strengths and weaknesses? ›
They demonstrate that you are confident of this strength and that you will use it to succeed in this specific role.
- Collaborative. I am very collaborative. ...
- Technical know-how. ...
- Detail-oriented. ...
- Positive attitude. ...
- Solving problems. ...
- Self-criticism. ...
- Fear of public speaking. ...
- Procrastination.
How long does a Pizza Hut interview take? ›
This is their way of getting to know you and evaluating whether we are the best fit for you. Typically, this process can take up to 1- 3 days. To ace your one-on-one interview, it is best to prepare answers to common job interview questions.
What is the killer question in an interview? ›
Common killer questions include: Tell me of a time when you worked with a difficult co-worker. Describe a situation in which you didn't meet a client's expectations. Tell me about something that you are currently learning about?
Sample Answer: “I can struggle when working with a team — I am incredibly self-sufficient, so it's difficult to rely on others to complete my work. That's why I've pursued roles that require someone to work independently. However, I've also worked to improve this weakness by enrolling in team-building workshops.
What are unique questions to ask? ›
Fun questions to ask people you've gotten to know
- What's your favorite midnight snack?
- Who would you choose if you could be friends with a fictional character?
- What's the best costume you've ever worn to a party?
- What's the best surprise you've ever received?
- What's the most embarrassing moment you've ever experienced?
How do you answer random questions in an interview? ›
How to answer fun interview questions
- Expect them. You can expect to have at least one far-fetched question in any job interview. ...
- Stay composed. Recruiters ask unexpected interview questions to see a candidate's ability to deal with stress. ...
- Be authentic. ...
- Don't ask for feedback. ...
- Keep it concise.
What's a good answer for interview questions? ›
You can structure your answer by following these three bullet points:
- Review the job description for qualities that the employer finds valuable.
- Incorporate ways you've been successful in your previous roles.
- Highlight the traits or skills you've been praised for by former managers and colleagues.
How do you get honest answers in an interview? ›
Below are four tips to elicit truly honest answers from candidates in a job interview.
- Don't give them any hints. Don't ask leading questions that tip off a candidate to the response you want. ...
- What motivates them. ...
- Ask the unexpected. ...
- Look for life outside of work.
How do you respond to an inappropriate interview question? ›
You could respond by saying something like “My personal life will not interfere with my professional responsibilities.” Leave the Interview. If you feel the interviewer is asking an inappropriate or discriminatory question, you can refuse to answer the question and excuse yourself from the interview.
How do you answer an awkward question? ›
Several answers:
- "What an interesting question. ...
- "That's private." (Then change the subject.)
- Stare at them expressionlessly and don't move or look away. ...
- Say, "Excuse me, I have to be going." and walk away.
- Say, "What did you say?" ...
- Try "Did I ever . . ." ...
- Pretend your phone is ringing and excuse yourself to answer it.
How do you answer an uncomfortable interview question? ›
How to answer the "What makes you uncomfortable?" interview question
- Reflect on your professional career. When developing your response, consider reflecting on your professional career. ...
- Focus on one thing that makes you uncomfortable. ...
- Give a specific example. ...
- Maintain a positive attitude.