“WHAT TO SAY when you cannot ANSWER an INTERVIEW QUESTION!”
Describe yourself in one word
As it turns out, it’s actually pretty hard to summarize your entire person in one single adjective. Especially when you’re put on the spot.
This question is particularly ideal for those Gen Z candidates with limited work experience, says Craig Myers, director of talent acquisition at Cadence Design Systems. “There is no right answer to this question,” Craig explains. “We just want to see how new grads think on their feet and outside their comfort zone.”
For a challenging follow-up question, consider asking them to name one negative adjective that describes them. It’s easy to boast of positive traits, but if your candidate can admit a flaw, it shows that they’re self-aware and always looking to improve.
Tell me about an interesting experience or encounter you’ve had recently
The best recruits come equipped with insatiable curiosity and a creative edge — two key traits that make an employee ready to contribute to a company looking to stand out in an ever-changing, competitive consumer landscape. As Nancy Brown, CEO of The American Heart Association, wrote for Fortune, “Creative thinking serves as a catalyst; it inspires us to engage in conversation and analysis, and to assess all that might be possible.”
You’ll also get a sense of their perspective and person: what they like, dislike, and value.
Q2: What do you least like about your job and why?
Translation: How negative are you and what tasks might we find it difficult to get you to do?
Be honest, remain positive and emphasise that you did (and always would) complete each task to a high level, anyway.
You could answer: “I used to dislike filing, but I’ve come up with a schedule that gets me through it quickly and efficiently – to ease the burden – instead of putting it off.”
(Unless the job role you’re interviewing for has tons of paperwork involved!)
Tips on how to answers funny interview questions
The interview process can be nerve-wracking; from answering questions correctly, maintaining the right body language, to managing your interview jitters and making the best impression to increase your chances of getting the job. However, relaxing and preparing beforehand can help you ace every interview you attend, even if the interviewer asks an unexpected question. Don’t worry, all you need to do is:
It’s important to remember that the hiring manager is not looking for the right answer, they want to see how you arrive at the solution. You can also practice how to answer these questions before going for the interview.
FAQ
What type of question has no right or wrong answer?
What are nonsense interview questions?
- How many basketballs can fit on a bus?
- What two things, aside from food and water, would you want on a deserted island?
- How many pizzas are ordered every night in the United States?
- What would you do if you won the lottery?
- Blue or green?
