EXPERT ANSWER
Apr 22, 2019 - 06:11 PM
Some curveball interview questions you should know how to answer include ones like the following:
When an interviewer asks you a curveball question – like how you would fire someone – you always want to be honest, but don’t feel like you have to confess the innermost recesses of your mind. Consider your answer before answering such questions – the employer wants to see how you think, and blurting out a silly answer won’t make the right impression. Curveball interview questions are used to gauge how quickly you can think on your feet.
While you want to be honest when answering a curveball interview question, you must steer clear of answers that might be seen as controversial, and that could get you disqualified for the position pretty quickly. For example, if you are asked what you like doing in your free time, do not mention (and this is just an example) that you enjoy hanging out on a weapons website or a radical political website.
- How would you handle firing someone?
- What superpower would you like to have?
- What's your favorite website?
- What gets you up in the morning?
- What animal would you like to be?
When an interviewer asks you a curveball question – like how you would fire someone – you always want to be honest, but don’t feel like you have to confess the innermost recesses of your mind. Consider your answer before answering such questions – the employer wants to see how you think, and blurting out a silly answer won’t make the right impression. Curveball interview questions are used to gauge how quickly you can think on your feet.
While you want to be honest when answering a curveball interview question, you must steer clear of answers that might be seen as controversial, and that could get you disqualified for the position pretty quickly. For example, if you are asked what you like doing in your free time, do not mention (and this is just an example) that you enjoy hanging out on a weapons website or a radical political website.
Aug 14, 2018 - 10:14 PM
As you prepare for an upcoming interview, you'll probably practice answers to standard questions, but what about questions that seem to make any sense? Some questions, such as "explain how the government works to a child in three statements," may come as a complete surprise. Here are some tips about how to answer those curveball questions.
Take a breath and consider what the interviewer is trying to learn. Maybe the hiring manager wants to see how you'll act under pressure or get a feel for your ability to think on your feet. It's totally okay to stay calm and say something like, "Let me think about that a moment." Stay calm and remain positive as you work out the answer to these questions.
Think through your answer. In many cases, these questions aren't about your answer so much as they are about how you come up with the answer. For example, if a potential employer wants to know how many tennis balls can fit into your car, don't jump to some enormous number. Instead, walk the interviewer through your process of arriving at an accurate number.
It is possible to prepare for these oddball questions. Fortunately, there are many sources online with a variety of questions, such as this article and this collection of questions.
Take a breath and consider what the interviewer is trying to learn. Maybe the hiring manager wants to see how you'll act under pressure or get a feel for your ability to think on your feet. It's totally okay to stay calm and say something like, "Let me think about that a moment." Stay calm and remain positive as you work out the answer to these questions.
Think through your answer. In many cases, these questions aren't about your answer so much as they are about how you come up with the answer. For example, if a potential employer wants to know how many tennis balls can fit into your car, don't jump to some enormous number. Instead, walk the interviewer through your process of arriving at an accurate number.
It is possible to prepare for these oddball questions. Fortunately, there are many sources online with a variety of questions, such as this article and this collection of questions.
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