Job interviews – they are terrifying enough if you’re prepared for the questions, but what happens when you get a left of field question? Sometimes interviewers can throw in unexpected and unusual questions that catch us off guard, leaving us feeling uneasy and panicked. Here are a few tips that will help you overcome those tough questions that you’re just not quite sure how to answer.
SMILE!
To avoid the obvious “I have absolutely no idea how to answer what you just asked me” look, smiling really helps. Unusual questions in an interview are usually designed to determine your cultural fit within the company. Smiling makes you look like you’re not only confident, but also don’t take yourself too seriously, two attributes that the interviewer might be looking for to determine cultural fit.
Buy Yourself Some Thinking Time
Because you have been so busy trying to smile in this nerve-racking situation, you may not have had time to think of an answer. Buying yourself a little bit of time is always useful. A classic time buyer is something like “Wow! I’ve never been asked that before, just let me think” or “That’s a great question, you’ll have to give me a second”.
Confidence Is Key
When answering these type of unusual questions, there usually isn’t a “right” answer. So, whatever your answer is, make sure you say it with confidence and enthusiasm, allowing your interviewer to see that you can think on your feet, and do so with confidence.
Don’t be afraid to show your personality
If an interviewer asks one of these unusual type of questions, it’s important to be professional, however don’t be afraid to show a sense of humour. This will show the interviewer that you are genuine and authentic, and helps to demonstrate a friendly personality.
Consider these unusual questions as an opportunity to show your quick wit and humour. If you do this, you’ll be answering unexpected questions like “if you were an animal what would you be?” like a pro.
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