Unusual and Unexpected Interview Questions: How to Handle with Ease

October 21, 2011 in Career and Job Search Tips, Interview Tips

 

It’s like a bad dream.

You’re in an interview, dressed to impress and feeling totally in control of the situation, when the unthinkable happens – the interviewer asks a question that completely stumps you:

“If you could have dinner with anyone from history, whom would it be and why?”

“Why is a manhole cover round?”

“Which fictional character would you say best describes you?”

If just reading these questions makes beads of sweat pop out on your forehead, you’re not alone.  In an interview situation, most of us would be stopped in our tracks by off-the-wall questions like these.  But that’s the point:  interviewers ask odd questions intentionally, to see how well job candidates think on their feet and respond to stress.

Because unusual interview questions can be about virtually any topic, they’re nearly impossible to prepare for.  Still, here are a few quick tips to help you handle them more effectively:

  • Keep your composure. The question was meant to throw you off your game – so don’t let it rattle you.  Keep your face neutral and recognize that this is the wacky question you’ve been anticipating.
  • Take your time. Smile, take a deep breath and avoid the temptation to blurt out an answer.  Don’t panic – if you have to take a moment to gather your thoughts, it merely demonstrates that you think carefully through a situation before responding.
  • Relax. When it comes to unusual interview questions, your answer is not as important as how you handle the situation.  In fact, most don’t have right or wrong answers.  So take the pressure off yourself.  You don’t have to be brilliant, you just need to answer honestly.

Seeking a Job in the Food and Beverage Industry?

Register with Kinsa today.  Our team of food & beverage industry recruiting professionals will listen to your needs, match you with a perfect career opportunity, and then prepare you to ace the interview.

Speaking of interview preparation, take advantage of this free upcoming webinar:

How to Ace Phone Interviews
October 28th @ (8:00 AM PST/9:00 AM MST/10:00 PM CST/11:00 PM EST)
The telephone interview is a very common first interview. Before you conduct your next telephone interview, learn the following:

  • Mistakes you need to avoid
  • Where to place your focus
  • How to turn a phone interview into a face-to-face interview
  • What it takes to “stand out” from others