The Most Unusual Job Interview Questions Ever Asked
In today’s competitive job market, interviewers are often looking for creative ways to assess a candidate’s fit for a position. While some may stick to traditional questions about a person’s qualifications and experience, others may throw in a curveball and ask something completely unexpected. These unusual job interview questions are designed to not only test a candidate’s problem-solving skills and creativity, but also to see how they handle unexpected situations and think on their feet. Here are some of the most unusual job interview questions ever asked:
The “Unconventional” Questions
“If you were a fruit, what kind of fruit would you be?”
Believe it or not, this question is more common than you may think. Interviewers may ask this question to see how a candidate perceives themselves and what qualities they associate with certain fruits. Are they a sweet and approachable pineapple? A tough and resilient coconut? A creative and unique durian? This question can provide insight into a candidate’s personality and how they view themselves.
“How many hair salons are there in New York City?”
This question may seem completely unrelated to the job at hand, but it’s actually testing a candidate’s critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Interviewers want to see how a candidate approaches a question they may not know the exact answer to. They may also look at the thought process behind the candidate’s response, rather than the actual number they come up with.
The “Out of the Box” Questions
“If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose and why?”
This question is a fun way for interviewers to get to know a candidate and see what qualities they value in a person. By choosing a fictional character, candidates can showcase their creativity and provide insight into their thought process. Are they drawn to strong and courageous characters or do they lean towards ones that are more analytical and strategic?
“If you could have any superpower, what would it be and how would you use it in this job?”
Similar to the previous question, this one allows candidates to tap into their creativity and showcase their problem-solving skills. By choosing a superpower and explaining how it would benefit them in the job, candidates can demonstrate their ability to think outside the box and find unique solutions to problems.
The “Off-the-Wall” Questions
“What would you do if you found a penguin in the freezer?”
This question may seem completely unrelated to any job, but it’s a great way for interviewers to see how a candidate handles a bizarre and unexpected situation. It’s also a test of a candidate’s adaptability and ability to stay calm under pressure. Will they freeze up or come up with a creative solution to the penguin predicament?
“If you were a salad, what ingredient would you like to be added and why?”
Similar to the previous question about fruits, this one is meant to assess a candidate’s personality and how they view themselves. By choosing an ingredient to add to a salad, candidates can showcase what they believe to be their best qualities and how they see themselves fitting into the company culture.
Job interviews can be nerve-wracking, and adding unusual questions to the mix may seem daunting. However, these questions are not meant to trip up candidates but rather to get to know them in a different way and see how they handle unexpected situations. So, the next time you’re faced with an unusual job interview question, embrace it and show off your creativity and problem-solving skills!
