Job interviews can already be anxiety-inducing, and to make matters more challenging, you may encounter unconventional questions like, ‘If you were a tree, what type of tree would you be?’ However, understanding the rationale behind these queries can help you respond confidently and leave a positive impression on your interviewer. Alison Green, a seasoned manager and consultant who operates Ask a Manager, sheds light on why companies sometimes pose such peculiar questions. Here’s her breakdown:
- Brainteasers: These questions are often less about the specific answer you provide and more about your problem-solving approach and thought process. It’s crucial to articulate your thinking aloud when tackling these questions.
- Just-Plain-Weird Questions: In the case of these odd questions, it’s often a result of interviewers who lack proper interviewing skills. They might have come across these questions somewhere and found them intriguing, or they mistakenly believe they test creativity. Most importantly, they haven’t critically considered how to effectively evaluate candidates. Such questions usually indicate an inexperienced or ineffective interviewer.
Companies like Google and Apple were known for posing unconventional brain teasers in the past, but in recent years, they have moved away from this practice. Nevertheless, you might still encounter unexpected curveball questions during your job search. Here’s how to handle them:
- For Brain Teasers: Follow Alison’s advice and work through your answer aloud, as interviewers are interested in your problem-solving approach. You can also ask for a moment to gather your thoughts before responding.
- For Odd Questions: Provide a brief answer to the odd question and swiftly pivot to discussing your relevant skills and experiences, which are directly related to the job, unlike pondering the type of tree you’d be.”
By understanding the purpose behind these questions and crafting thoughtful responses, you can navigate such interview scenarios more effectively.