How to Deal With Strange Interview Questions

How to Deal With Strange Interview Questions

Once in a while i get called to conduct interviews and my ‘favorite part’ is asking the unexpected. I know you have practiced all the tell us about yourself, your strong point, weaknesses and all that stuff you memorize. And many times i can only get to know the real you by asking you seemingly stupid interview questions.

Some Examples here

1.If you could have dinner with any famous person, living or dead, who would it be?

2.If you were an animal, what kind would you be?

3..How do you think my older employees would react if I hired you?

4.What does your spouse or girlfriend or boyfriend think about your career?

5.Are your parents disappointed with your career aspirations?

6. Can you sell me this pen, Favorite for marketers?

7. If you were a character in the popular Papa Shirandula TV show, what TV character would you be?

So, why do interviewers ask these sort of questions?

Believe it or not, some of them think it will help you relax. Some frankly admit that they’re trying to throw you off guard. Others want to get past the practiced responses you’ve worked on so hard to see the “real” you. And yet others may simply want to know if you have a sense of humor.

Most, however, pose the occasional off-the-wall question because they want to see how well you think on your feet. The key to coping with crazy interview questions is to remember that how you answer matters much more than what you answer.

Basically, you want to come off as confident and comfortable dealing with the unexpected, even in a situation as stressful as a job interview. Sound like a tall order? Here are a few tips:

1. First, answer the question. Don’t stonewall or say, “What does this have to do with the job?” You’ll come off as defensive, inflexible, and uncooperative.

2. Think of the crazy question as an interesting exercise in problem solving. Remember that there is no “right” answer to questions like these. Quickly gather the relevant data as best you can and work your way toward the most logical solution.

3. Remember that you are allowed to take a deep breath and ponder for a moment before answering. You can also stall for time by repeating the question to the interviewer. If you absolutely have to, ask if you can come back to that question later in the interview.

4. Trying to guess the motive behind the question may help. For example, the dinner-with-a-famous-person question is an attempt to discover your interests and values. So take this opportunity to say something compelling about your interests and values, ideally connecting them to your work and the job you’re seeking.

5.A sense of humor can help. If your first impulse is to be funny, and you are truly a funny person, go with it. Just be sure that your witticisms make you look smart and sensible. Keep it light-hearted and clean, please.

6. Be honest. If you try to think of an answer that you think the interviewer will want to hear, you’re going to come off as insincere and manipulative. Put the best light on yourself in a truthful way. You will feel better about yourself, and the employer will think more highly of you, too.

7. Finally, never let them see you sweat! Don’t jiggle your knee, tap your pen, drum your fingers, twirl your hair, or bite your nails. Keep cool.

So, which crazy interview question was thrown at you and how did you handle it?

 

Tweet