What’s your favourite movie of all time? Which type of tree do you relate with the most? Why is your Instagram account private?
Think these interview questions are odd and outrageous? Think again.
Our recruiters share some of the weirdest questions candidates have been asked that were not remotely related to the roles they were interviewing for. Here are the top 10 most ridiculous questions that employers have asked.
10 most outrageous interview questions
- What’s your zodiac sign or horoscope?
- What’s your blood type? (for a non-healthcare role)
- I’ve seen what you have posted on Facebook. How open are you to changing your political views to get a job here?
- Which celebrity do you most look up to and why? (and you can’t say the Kardashians)
- Do you know morse code? (for a non-linguist role)
- A confusing math question.
- Who are you and why am I meeting you?
- Would you rather be a cat or a dog?
- Which soccer team do you support?
- Have you taken part in the Subaru challenge (or a similar-type of endurance challenge)?
bridging techniques candidates can use in an interview
As outrageous as these interview questions might be, it is a good thing that they are not commonly asked. Unless the job requires you to solve complex equations or have an eye for aesthetic appeal, you actually have nothing to worry about.
These odd questions will not help the interviewer objectively review your capabilities to do the job, or your personality to identify a culture fit. As a candidate, keep things professional and bridge your answer back to what you want to speak about. This is also a great opportunity to impress your interviewer.
use the ‘ABC technique’ to answer these difficult interview questions
a. acknowledge
- Always respect who you are speaking with by acknowledging the questions that they had just asked you, no matter how weird it may be.
b. bridge
- Use different bridging phrases to link ideas and bring the conversation back to the purpose of the interview, which is to evaluate your abilities and personality.
c. contribute
- Promote your skills by sharing some of your achievements on how you can bring added value to the team and the company.
some of the most common bridging phrases include:
- Let’s not forget that…
- I think what is important here is…
- What I can tell you is…
example on how you can bridge an irrelevant interview question
Interviewer: “What’s your zodiac sign or horoscope? We need to hire people with auspicious zodiac signs to help increase our team’s sales.”
Ideal answer: “That’s an interesting question, and I am a Capricorn. However, I think what is important here is my track record with the teams that I’ve worked with, as I’ve successfully managed a team of six and increase revenue by up to 20% year-on-year. Besides being self-driven, I encourage my team to achieve new heights by providing them the guidance they need.”
still nervous? we are here to guide you
If you are the type who prefers to over-prepare for a job interview, including answers to odd interview questions, you should work with a specialised recruiter.
A specialised industry recruiter works with a small group of clients to hire talent in a targeted industry. These may include risk and compliance experts, developers for fintechs, or marketing professionals for FMCGs firms. As their time and resources are focussed on a small marketplace, they do not only know where the latest job opportunities are. They also know which talent to match their clients with and how to best prepare you for the job interview, such as the questions that you should expect from their clients.
if you want to have a specialist guide you along the way to success, apply for jobs on our website today and let us help you.
related articles
- 3 things IT candidates should avoid at job interviews
- how to answer difficult interview questions from a bank
- 6 tips on how to prepare for a video interview
frequently asked questions
-
How should I prepare for a video interview?
You should always charge your laptop, test your microphone, webcam, and speakers, as well as ensure that you have a strong and stable WiFi connection before your video interview. You should also have your mobile hotspot on standby in case your primary WiFi fails because of an unexpected power trip.
Make sure that you are in a quiet room so that you can focus, and remember to put your device on “do not disturb” to avoid distracting notifications during the job interview. And most importantly, make sure that you are dressed as you would for an in-person interview. Choose solid and neutral colours and avoid busy patterns like thin stripes or loud designs that will distract your interviewer.
For more information about preparing for a video interview, read our article: 6 tips on how to prepare for a video interview.
-
How do I answer tough or unusual interview questions?
It is common for interviewers to ask tough or unusual questions as they can help them assess your logic and critical thinking. To answer these questions, it’s important to take time to fully understand the question before responding. You should also clarify the question to make sure that you are on the right track.
Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to keep answers clear and structured. Focus on demonstrating problem-solving skills and staying calm under pressure. If you do not know the answer, you can be honest to let the interviewer know to show your willingness to learn or adapt.
For more information about how to answer job interview questions, read our article: behavioural interview tips: a comprehensive guide on how to answer common questions.
-
Can I negotiate my salary at the interview stage?
It is best to wait until the last stage of the interview to negotiate salary, as early interviews should focus on demonstrating your skills and fit. However, if you are working with a recruiter, salary discussions can come up during screening to guide them to find a job opportunity that matches your salary expectations.