Are Your Interview Questions Getting Stale?

Hiring Managers and Recruiters – Are you asking unique, thought-provoking, or even odd interview questions? Are your interview questions looking at the candidate’s analytical skills?

[bctt tweet=”Questions as these can definitely help judge the candidates you’re interviewing better and even provide much more insight about the applicant’s logic process.” username=”myaptask”]

The candidate’s answers will help provide an understanding as to how they access a problem. Does the candidate respond, “I don’t know,” or give a quick thoughtless answer? There’s obviously no right or wrong answer, but the manner in which a candidate answers can reveal a lot about their personality, and how well they would fit within the company’s culture.

Here, I have shortlisted top five oddball interview questions which I feel will definitely benefit the employer. Some candidates may walk you through their logic and reasoning as they answer these questions and some may not.

Watch out for candidates who refuse to answer questions they haven’t prepared for and in like manner be prepared to be entertained by a wide variety of answers to such types of questions.

Interview Questions

If you were an animal, what kind of animal would you be?

You are looking for a response, where the candidates compare their skills and talents with an animal of their choice.

What color is your brain?

Here, the answer could be anything. There is no right or wrong color. For example, if the candidate answers, “White.” Ask them to justify. White because it’s a color that represents sincerity, simplicity, purity, and perfection.

How does the Internet work?

I hope you get some interesting responses here that reveal the candidate’s ability to think outside the box. You are not looking for technical, computing explanation. But a simple, concrete explanation of how according to the candidate, the internet works.

What would you do, if one of our competitors offered you a position?

You are looking for a response, where the candidate is really interested in your company. They need to explain why they want to work with you and not your competitors.

Would you ever lie for me or my company?

Any guess, what the reply should be for this question? It all boils down to one’s personal and professional ethics. Ethics are nothing but standards of right and wrong that refer to what one should and should not do. So, if the candidate responds he’s willing to lie (if required) and your company’s core values include integrity and professionalism then you know whom to hire and not to hire.

The point of such quirky questions is to see if the candidates can keep their cool under pressure and answer in a creative way. These questions help judge the candidate’s understanding to think on their feet, think analytically, problem solve, and effectively talk through an interesting response.

The last thing you want to hear from a candidate is “I don’t know.” It’s better to give a clever and creative response than to stammer, get nervous, and say “No” or respond unprofessionally.

Thank you for reading and sharing this post. Do comment below with your opinions!

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