September 2021

Have you ever wondered why you are asked unusual questions in job interviews? They might not make sense at the time, but wacky sounding questions are really a way of gauging your reaction to an unexpected question or problem. Questions like this challenge you and prompt you to provide an answer which is outside the usual corporate framework.

Strange or amusing questions from your employer can assist them in understanding you better and help them decide whether you’re going to align with the company vision. By creating a space to ask a weird question, the candidate can relax a bit and consider the best response and reaction. It can be an effective tool utilised by the employer, yet it also allows you to reveal more of your personality and how you assess questions and problems.

Here are some unusual questions that have been asked during real interviews. Have a read and consider what your answers might be.

1. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?

2. What are twenty things you can do with a brick?

3. Can you sell me this pen / glass of water / door / Post-It note?

4. If you could be any superhero, which one would you be?

5.  If you were given a free full-page ad in a newspaper and had to sell yourself in six words or fewer, how would the ad read?

6. How do I rate as an interviewer?

7. If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money?

8. What would you do if you had a time machine?

9. If you were on an island and could only bring three things, what would you bring?

Our tip is to not think too hard on your answers. These questions are not designed to interrogate you, rather they are asked to discern more about you. Are you a linear thinker or do you view problems holistically? What kind of logic are you using to arrive at your answer, and how does this showcase your strengths? Unusual interview questions are popping up more often than you’d think, so it’s a good idea to consider how you’d answer them next time you’re interviewing for a new position.