What phrase or word best describes you? What color best represents you, and why? We’ve all heard weird job interview questions during the hiring process that make you think, “What does this have to do with anything?”
Well, sometimes, the questions are posed just to see how fast people can think on their feet. Other times, the questions are very telling.
For example, when asked the question, “what phrase best describes you,” one employee answered quickly and said, “the phrase the best describes me is ‘Rise and Shine’ because I rise quickly to any challenge and my performance shines.
This employee got the job.
Answers to weird and seemingly nonsensical questions may be the key to getting hired for a job over another applicant.
Innovative Hiring Questions
Here are a few questions that might be fun to ask during job interviews just to see what the applicant says. Or, if you are an applicant yourself, then formulate creative answers to these questions so you are prepared for whatever may come.
1. What drink are you most likely to order at a restaurant?
This answer could show some personality traits and tell the company whether you drink alcohol. To keep health insurance costs and absentee rates low, the company may try to hire non-drinkers.
2. What is the last book you read before this hiring interview?
A book choice shows personality traits, interests and intelligence in one quick answer. Employers like intelligent employees that read industry-specific books or motivational reads that relate to their business.
3. What was the last movie you went to see, or what is your favorite song?
Again, these questions highlight interests and personality traits.
4. If you won millions of dollars in the lottery, what would you do with the winnings?
This answer highlights the interviewee’s goals, planning, generosity, responsibility and creativity.
5. If you pass the hiring process, what are the top three things you’d do on your first day at work here?
This answer will tell if the interviewee has a firm grasp on how to initiate themselves into a new environment and how much they understand what the job entails.
6. How would you describe yourself in three words?
This question may elicit more canned responses, but you can tell a lot about a job candidate by the words they choose. Once they say the words, ask for details about each word. For example, if they use the word “resourceful,” turn it around and ask them to describe a situation where they were resourceful.
Interviewing for a job can be a fun and fulfilling experience for both parties involved, and asking weird and off-the-wall questions, if nothing else, will give you lots of humorous fodder for the water cooler discussions around the office.
Job interview questions courtesy of Tough Nickel.
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