The job interview process can be intimidating for even the most qualified and confident candidates. In addition to the typical questions about your work experience and qualifications, some employers may ask tricky or unexpected questions to gauge your problem-solving skills, adaptability, and critical thinking abilities.
These questions can be particularly challenging because they are often designed to be open-ended and need a more straightforward answer. In this article, we’ll explore some common types of tricky interview questions, provide tips for answering them effectively, and offer examples of what you might encounter in an interview.
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Types of tricky questions
Candidates may encounter several types of tricky interview questions during the job interview process. Some examples include:
- Hypothetical scenarios: These questions present a hypothetical situation and ask the candidate to describe how they would handle it. For example, “How would you handle a difficult customer?” or “Imagine you are in a meeting and disagree with the proposed course of action. How would you handle the situation?”
- Behavioral questions: Ask the candidate to describe a specific experience or situation from their past and how they handled it. For example, “Tell me about a time when you had to make a difficult decision” or “Describe a project you worked on where you faced a significant challenge.”
- Brainteasers: are puzzles or riddles designed to test the candidate’s problem-solving skills and ability to think on their feet. Examples might include questions like “How many golf balls can fit in a school bus?” or “If you had to get from New York to Los Angeles in three days, how would you do it?”
- Paradoxical or open-ended questions: These are questions with no right or wrong answer or that present a paradox or contradiction. Examples might include “Why is a tennis ball fuzzy?” or “If you could be any animal, which one would you be and why?”
- Controversial or sensitive topics: Some interviewers may ask questions about controversial or sensitive topics to test the candidate’s ability to handle difficult situations or criticism. Examples include questions about politics, religion, or social issues.
No matter the type of tricky question, it’s important for candidates to stay calm and try to approach the question with a clear and logical thought process.
Tips for answering tricky interview questions
Here are a few tips for how to effectively answer tricky interview questions:
- Take your time: It’s okay to pause and think before answering a tricky question. It’s better to take a moment to gather your thoughts than to rush into an incomplete or poorly thought-out response.
- Be honest: It’s important, to be honest when answering tricky interview questions. Even if you don’t have a specific example or experience to draw from, it’s better to admit that you don’t know the answer than to try to invent something on the spot.
- Use examples from past experience: If you are asked a behavioral or hypothetical question, try to use examples from your past experiences to illustrate how you would handle the situation. This will help the interviewer understand your thought process and give them a sense of how you approach problems. Read our common interview questions and how to answer them.
- Stay positive: Even if you are asked a negative or difficult question, try to stay positive and focus on the solution rather than dwelling on the problem. For example, if you are asked about a time when you made a mistake, don’t just describe the mistake – focus on what you learned from it and how you prevented similar mistakes in the future.
- Be yourself: It’s important to be genuine and authentic in your responses to tricky questions. Don’t try to be someone you think the interviewer wants to hear – just be yourself and let your personality shine through.
Examples of tricky interview questions
Here are a few examples of tricky interview questions and suggestions for how to approach them:
If you could have dinner with any three people, living or dead, who would you choose and why?
This open-ended question doesn’t have a right or wrong answer. To approach this question, think about people who have inspired or influenced you in some way or who you would like to learn more about. Try to explain your choices and why they are meaningful to you.
How many basketballs can fit in this room?
This is a brainteaser designed to test your problem-solving skills. To answer this question, you could try to break it down into smaller pieces by asking for clarification (e.g., “Can you tell me the dimensions of the room?”) and making estimates based on what you know.
Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult coworker.
This behavioral question asks for a specific example from your past. To answer this question, you could describe the situation and the steps you took to address it. Be sure to focus on your actions and how you tried to resolve the issue rather than just complaining about the difficult coworker.
Why is a maintenance hole cover round?
This is a paradoxical question that doesn’t have a straightforward answer. To approach this question, consider the practical reasons why a round shape might be useful for a maintenance hole cover (e.g., it can’t fall through the hole, and it’s easier to roll than a square cover). Consider discussing the history of maintenance hole covers and how their shape has evolved over time.
What kind of tree would you be if you were a tree and why?
This is an open-ended question that doesn’t have a right or wrong answer. To approach this question, think about the characteristics of different types of trees and how they relate to your own personality or values. For example, you would be a strong and resilient oak tree because you are reliable and able to withstand challenges.
How would you describe yourself in three adjectives?
This is a question that requires you to summarize yourself shortly and concisely. To answer this question, you could choose three adjectives that accurately describe your personality and explain why you chose them. For example, you are conscientious, adaptable, and empathetic.
If you had to give a presentation to a group of people you’ve never met before, how would you prepare?
This hypothetical scenario asks you to describe how you would handle a specific situation. To answer this question, describe the steps you would take to prepare, such as researching the audience, outlining the presentation’s key points, and practicing your delivery.
What’s your greatest weakness?
This common interview question can be tricky to answer because it requires you to admit to a flaw or weakness. To approach this question, you could choose a weakness that is not directly relevant to the job you are applying for and then describes how you are working to improve or overcome it. For example, your weakness is public speaking, but you are taking a course or practicing your delivery to become more confident and effective.
If you could have any job in the world, what would it be and why?
This open-ended question asks you to think about your long-term goals and aspirations. To answer this question, describe a job that aligns with your interests, skills, and values and explain why it is meaningful to you.
What are the biggest challenges facing the company you are applying to?
This is a question that requires you to do some research and think critically about the company and its industry. To answer this question, you could consider factors such as market trends, competition, technological change, or regulatory issues. Be sure to back up your points with specific examples or data.
How do you handle criticism or feedback?
This is a behavioral question that asks for an example from your past. To answer this question, you could describe a situation where you received criticism or feedback and explain how you responded and what you learned from the experience. Be sure to emphasize your willingness to listen, learn, and improve.
If you had to choose one book, movie, or TV show to recommend to everyone, what would it be and why?
This open-ended question asks you to think about your personal interests and values. To answer this question, choose something that has significantly impacted you and explain why you think it would be meaningful to others.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, tricky interview questions can be challenging for job candidates because they are often open-ended, hypothetical, or designed to test your problem-solving skills. To effectively answer these questions, it’s important to take your time, be honest, use examples from your past experiences, stay positive, and be yourself. Practicing and preparing in advance can improve your confidence and increase your chances of success in the interview process.