The JobSync Blog
Handling Weird Interview Questions
September 20, 2011
Do you believe in UFOs? Whether you do or not, you better have a discreet answer, as it’s possible a hiring manager may pose that question to you.
Recently, Careerbuilder.com conducted a survey asking human resource managers and hiring managers which questions surprised candidates the most in job interviews. Besides inquiring about one’s position on extraterrestrials, some of the other questions that left candidates significantly off-balance included:
- Have you ever been the dumbest guy in the room?
- Can you drive in bad weather?
- Do you bake or buy?
- If I gave you a brick, what would you do with it?
- Are rules meant to be broken?
- Are you a pencil or a pen?
- If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
- What do you do when you see a spider in the house?
Hiring managers have various reasons for asking such peculiar things. However, at their core, these questions all attempt to assess some aspect of your personality. More than ever, a company in the current economy is looking for an individual who will be a good fit for their organization. And you must be ready to show you’re a great match for them.
Asking offbeat questions accomplishes several things for the interviewer. First, most candidates find humor in even being asked such questions, and this often lowers their guard. Interviewers then hope candidates will reveal their true selves. Second, such questions can help a company determine some aspect of an individual’s personality, e.g. whether someone is a follower or a leader; arrogant or humble; irritable or unflappable; unimaginative or creative. Third, aside from the content of a candidate’s response, the manner in which the candidate delivers his response also helps a company uncover a greater sense of an individual’s personality.
So, what superpower should you want? The ability to answer strange interview questions with composure, clarity, and coherence while framing your answer around how you would be a great fit for the company. After all, no one wants to be the dumbest guy in the room.
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