ByOnlinecourses55
Tricky, creative, and stressful questions: how to survive the unexpected - job interview
You have prepared thoroughly. You know your resume by heart, you have researched the company and you have your STAR stories ready. Suddenly, the interviewer stares at you and asks: "How many tennis balls can fit in a school bus?" or "If you were a cereal brand, which would you be?". Your brain freezes. Is it a joke? No, it's a strategy.
In this article, we break down the psychology behind creative, cheeky and stress-inducing questions, and give you the roadmap to answer with wit and professionalism without losing your cool.
Recruiters know candidates come with "by-the-book" answers memorized. To break that script and see the real candidate, they use disruptive questions.
When faced with any unexpected question, apply this three-step protocol:
Example: "How many traffic lights are there in Madrid?" or "How many balls fit in this office?".
The Technique:Logical breakdown: Don't guess a number at random. Ask for paper and pencil if necessary and verbalize your calculation. "Well, let's assume a bus measures X cubic meters and a ball has a volume of Y. We would have to subtract the space taken by the seats...". The interviewer will value your analytical ability and your problem-solving skills for complex problems.
Example: "If you were an animal, which would you be?" or "What superpower would you have?".
The Technique:Connection to strengths: Avoid banal answers like "a dog because they're cute". Choose something that represents a quality valuable for the role. "I'd be an ant, because they're tireless workers, very strong for their size and, above all, because their colony's success depends on perfect teamwork". You have turned a childish question into a pitch for your soft skills.
Example: "What lie is on your CV?"
The Technique:Unwavering integrity: It's a trap to test your ethics. Never admit to having lied, not even "a little white lie". The correct answer is to reaffirm your honesty: "I have put great effort into ensuring my resume is a faithful reflection of my experience. Honesty is fundamental to me, so there is no lie".
Example: "Don't you think you're overqualified for this position?"
The Technique:Motivation over hierarchy: The recruiter's fear is that you'll get bored and leave. Argue your passion for the project. "I may have more years of experience on paper, but I'm seeking a career shift into this sector and I'm willing to start here to learn the fundamentals. I'm motivated by the company's challenge more than by the job title".
Example: "Sell me this pen".
The Technique:Needs discovery: Don't start by describing the pen ("it's blue, it writes well"). A good salesperson asks first. "How long have you been looking for a pen?", "What's most important to you when writing?". Create a need and then offer the pen as the unique solution. Close the sale with confidence.
Example: "Tell me a joke".
The Technique:Neutrality and safety: If you have one prepared (short, clean and inoffensive), tell it. If not, smile and say elegantly: "I'm better at telling success stories about my clients than jokes, but I promise to bring a good one for the first day of work". The important thing is not to freeze or say something inappropriate.
Trick questions are an opportunity to shine. If they ask them, it's because the interviewer has already validated that you are technically fit and now wants to see your spark. Breathe, smile and play.
