As a way to prep for your job interview, here are some “crazy” interview questions to help — and some logic to help you give answers bosses are looking for. Think of these as good brain stretchers. By the time you’re done with them, you’ll be happy to get the good ole “what’s your greatest weakness” question. But you’ll also be more prepared whatever comes your way.
When a basketball player works out in a gym, almost none of those exact movements will be used on the court. But they strengthen muscles. And they hone reflexes in a way that optimizes playing skills. Think of these questions in the same way.
While I can’t guarantee you’ll be asked any of them, they’re great practice prep for the real interview. And maybe — just maybe — they can also help add a little lighter feel to those nerves that are natural before any job interview.
⇒ EXTRA: How To Mentally Prepare for Your job Interview
Now some “crazy” interview questions
Remember that the interviewer is hoping you’ll be a good match for the company — I’ve been in that position and know they’d like you to be “the one.” But they also need to feel that there’s a real person in front of them — and not some interview robot with boring, canned answers. Even a bit of nerves is real!
They also need to feel that you’re thinking about their needs and not just your own. So when you answer, respect the question (no matter how crazy or eye-rollingly hokey). Mainly it’s about how you think it through, rather than absolute right or wrong. And how you might be to work with in real life when confronted with things you don’t know or that may be uncomfortable.
Non-traditional questions to get started
1. Where do you get your inspiration? [Who or what inspires you?]
2. How do you handle a difficult coworker?
3. Who was your favorite teacher and why?
4. What one additional thing would make this job perfect for you? [You have to pick something.]
5. What do you consider a perfect boss?
6. When a project fails, what should you do?
7. What one piece of advice would you give the person in your last job?
8. What one thing do you wish someone had told you before your very first job?
9. How do you turn a bad situation around?
10. How does this job fit into your career goals?
11. Have your career goals changed over time? If so, how?
12. In general, are jobs well-designed? Why or why not?
13. What would be a great non-monetary reward for a job well done?
⇒ Some hints for answering:
- Take a moment to consider your answer carefully. No need to jump into what might turn into a mind dump.
- Let them see your thinking process if that fist the question.
- Don’t go on and on. Stick to what was asked.
- If you do have a good short story that shows your skills / resourcefulness, go for it.
- And if there’s a way to end on a positive note, take it.
More crazy interview questions
14. Tell me about something you taught yourself or learned on your own.
15. Fill in the blank: Being part of a team is _________.
16. How do you handle an unexpected and unwanted change in work plans you helped develop?
17. Do you carefully read a product manual or mostly figure things out as you go along. Be honest.
18. What’s the best way to help someone else learn a new skill?
19. Which modern technology has done the most for the world?
20. And which modern technology could you easily do without?
21. How do you feel about asking someone for help? Is it ever hard to ask for help?
22. How do you handle a coworker who keeps asking you for help, instead of trying to find the answers on their own?
23. Do kids have it too easy or hard nowadays? What one thing would you change for them?
24. Are lottery tickets a waste of money? List the pros and cons.
25. How do you put together a jigsaw puzzle? What’s your approach?
A few more thoughts
Just to say it again, you may never get any of these. Nor do you need to go through ALL. Mostly, I put them together to help limber up your job interview brain.
But if you are working with someone as part of your interview prep, these might be a fun way to get started. And you can finish up your preparation with these more traditional interview questions:
More posts to help
Where Do You See Yourself Five Years from Now?
What Is Your Greatest Strength?
What’s Your Greatest Weakness?
How To Handle Tell Me A Little About Yourself
How NOT to Handle the Biggest Weakness Question
Interview Help: How Do I Interview After Being Fired?
How Should I Explain Dropping Out of Law School?
How To Answer “Why You Left Your Job” When You Quit
MORE JOB SEARCH HELP:
Job Search & Interview Resource Center
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