• How many pizzas are ordered every night in the United States?
• What would you do if you won the lottery?
• Blue or green?
• Which super power would you rather have: the ability to unlock every door or the ability to shift your shape?
What prompts an interviewer to ask a bizarre question? There are a few factors at play.
For one thing, interviewers know that you're likely prepared for the interview, practicing responses to common interview questions alone (and potentially even with friends).
Interviewers want to see how you handle a question where you don't have a rehearsed answer.
By asking something weird-say, "Cats or dogs?" or "What's your go-to karaoke song and why?"-interviewers will catch you off guard, which can provide an opportunity to see how you perform under stress. Your response will also offer a peek at your thought process.
These questions are typically designed not to have a right or wrong answer. Weird interview questions are designed to be unexpected and not fit the mold of typical interview questions. But they do typically fall into a few different categories, such as:
· This or that:
Some questions will ask you to choose between two things (for example, cats and dogs, pen or pencil, blue or yellow). Interviewers will get a peek into your preferences, character, and thought patterns with your responses.
· Imagine that...:
These questions pose a scenario, and then ask you "What's next?" or "How would you handle it?" The scenarios are, of course, wacky. Your answer can reveal your personality as well as problem-solving skills.
· Logic stumpers:
These brain teasers will reveal your thought process and logic-related skills. Interviewers may ask, "How many pennies exist in the world?" or "How much should you charge to shovel in Denver?"
• It may help to think aloud a bit. That is, if someone says, "Pick a color, red or blue," or "Who's your favorite superhero?" you'll want to do more than say "Blue" or "Spiderman" in response. Talk about why you gravitate to the color or superhero.
• With logic-based questions, keep in mind that it's more important that your logic is more reasonable than accurate.
Examples of Weird Interview Questions
1. Are you more of a hunter or a gatherer?
Asking this question is a way for your interviewer to learn your strengths and weaknesses. To answer this question, try to frame your answer to fit the qualifications of that particular job. You can think of hunters as more aggressive and assertive, which would be best suited for a leadership role. Gatherers are multi-taskers that are skilled at collecting data and other information.
Example: "I am a gatherer. I am proficient in collecting, analyzing and interpreting data. I pay strong attention to detail. I am a multi-tasker who visualizes the big picture while simultaneously handling a wide variety of day-to-day tasks."
2. If you were on an island and could only bring three things, what would you bring?
This question is a great way for the employer to see which things in your life are your top priorities. Your answer should show your creative side and demonstrate your ability to solve tough problems.
Example: "I would bring a laptop, a solar-powered generator and a lighter. I would use the laptop to work and to stay in touch with family and friends. The solar-powered generator would be for charging the laptop's battery. I would use the lighter to start a fire for warmth and cooking."
3. You are a new addition to the crayon box, what color would you be and why?
This question allows the employer to see the qualities and characteristics that make you a unique personality. Your answer should represent your individuality and show your creative side. You could also surprise the interviewer by presenting a unique answer such as "glitter" or "clear". Either way, you will explain what that color means to you and how it represents you.
Example: "I would be a mixture of purple and aqua. Purple because it is a peaceful and calming color, and aqua because it is bright and bold. In the workplace, I can bring creativity to the team while remaining calm under pressure. I also exhibit leadership skills as noted in my internship experience."
4. What is your spirit animal?
This question helps the employer see how creative you are and how able you are to think quickly and provide a thoughtful answer. In your answer, you can discuss your strengths, qualities and moral character.
Example: "It would be a horse because horses are strong and capable of getting the job done independently or as part of a team. Also, they are fast learners and are skilled in adapting to any situation."
5. If you found out you won $50 million in the lotto tomorrow, what would you do with the money?
Employers ask this question to discover your motivation for your job. In an interview, employers are looking for a candidate who is not concerned with the salary alone, but who actually enjoys the job. Your answer to this question should reflect your genuine interest in the position without thinking about salary.
Example: "I would use the $50 million to travel, donate to charity and provide for my family. Even so, I would still like to work at this company. I have always enjoyed working in this industry, and I believe that this company and I are a good match. I feel that I can be successful here, and will be a valued asset to the team. So, while it would be great to have $50 million, it would not affect my career goals."
6. If you could be granted superpowers, what superpower would you like to receive?
Employers ask this question as a way to gauge your leadership ability. Another way to think about this question is to ask yourself: "Would you rather be in the spotlight or behind the scenes?" Employers are looking for an employee that aligns with the company culture and that will be a valuable team player. Any answer to this question should mention teamwork and should highlight your strengths.
Example: "I would choose flying because I enjoy taking charge and taking initiative on projects. I am more than capable of working independently, but I also love collaborating as part of a team."
7. How lucky are you and why?
Is asked to determine whether you are an optimistic or a pessimistic individual, Is the glass half empty or half full?
8. Do you believe in Bigfoot?
Do you believe in magic and powers outside of the obvious 5 senses?
9. What was the last gift you gave someone?
Gifts send powerful messages and directly reflect who you are.
10. If you could be a character in fiction, who would you be?
What kind of personality and hero you think is synonymous.
11. If someone has written a biography about you, what do you think the title should be?
Mark your life.
12. If you were a salad, what kind of dressing would you want?
Are you spicy, creamy, or full of vinegar?
13. If you were any type of food, what type of food would you be?
Do you just name one food you like (which oversimplifies the question), or do you carefully consider what attributes each food might have about you?
14. If you could have dinner with anyone from history, who would it be and why?
How are you influenced by historical models?
15. If you were a car, what type would you be?
Do you tend towards luxury, practicality, urbanity or all-terrain?
16. If you had six months with no commitments or financial constraints, what would you do with the time?
Relieved of responsibility, who are you?
17. If you only had 3 months to live, what would you do with the time?
The potential of death makes everything clear.
18. If you could be anyone else, who would it be?
How do you see yourself in others?
19. What song best describes your work ethic?
Notice we said 'your work ethic'. Not just 'you'.
20. If you woke up and had 2,000 unread emails and could only reply to 300 of them, how would you choose which ones to reply to?
Prioritization is an art.
21. Would you rather know a lot about a little or a little about a lot?
They are both valuable assets and you will know how to combine them with their opposite.
22. If you were 80 years old, what would you say to your children?
It's another quick question to distil wisdom and priorities.
23. You are trapped on a life raft with a nun, an old man and a baby. There's only room for three of you, and it's up to you to decide who to throw off the raft. who do you choose why?
Among other things, this will find out how you feel about piety and religion.
24. How many square feet of pizza is eaten in the US each year?
Math and Geometry? How about just a lot? And does frozen pizza count?
Tips for Responding to Weird Interview Questions
If you are asked an interview question that seems bizarre, don’t panic. Below is a list of tips on how to handle a weird interview question.
• Stay Calm. If you are asked a question that stumps you, first take a deep breath. Maintain good posture, and look the interviewer in the eye. You want to appear calm and confident, even if you don’t feel that way.
• Buy Some Time. If you draw a blank, know that it is OK to take a little pause before answering. You can also buy some time with a comment such as, “that is a very interesting question; let me think about that for a moment.”
• Ask Questions. Most odd interview questions are intended to assess your critical thinking skills. Quite often, there is no “right” answer. Explaining your reasoning out loud as you respond to the question will demonstrate your thought process, even if you struggle to arrive at the answer. If you are at all confused, ask clarifying questions.
• Think about the Job. Remember that interview questions are designed to determine whether or not you have the skills required for the job. As you answer a question, think about answering in such a way that demonstrates a skill or quality you have that qualifies you for the job. For example, if the interviewer asks what color best represents you, you might say, “blue, because it is a calming color, and I am good at staying calm under pressure.”