30 Times Job Candidates Were Taken Off Guard By Interview Questions, As Shared Online

Bored Panda got in touch with Margaret Buj, who is an expert interview coach and career strategist. She kindly agreed to share her professional insights regarding this topic!

To begin with, Margaret noted that unusual or unconventional questions in job interviews serve multiple purposes. “Firstly, they can help to gauge a candidate's creativity, adaptability, and ability to think on their feet. These questions often require candidates to approach problems from unique perspectives, showcasing their problem-solving skills beyond the standard behavioral questions.

She added that unusual interview questions can reveal a candidate's personality traits and cultural fit within the organization, as their responses offer a glimpse into their thought processes and values.

“Personally, I am not a fan of asking very unconventional questions but I believe the interview should be a conversation where you not only ask some standard general and competency-based questions but you also get to know them as a person,” she noted.

Now, we asked Margaret if there are some interview questions that should be avoided and she pointed out that questions which delve into personal or sensitive topics unrelated to the job can be inappropriate and potentially discriminatory. 

“Additionally, questions that are overly abstract or unrelated to the role may not provide meaningful information about the candidate's qualifications or suitability for the position,” she emphasized. “It's important to ensure that all interview questions are relevant, fair, and respectful of the candidate's privacy.”

Finally, Margaret pointed out that unusual interview questions play a significant role in assessing a candidate's skills beyond the standard qualifications listed on their resume. 

“These questions can assess a candidate's critical thinking abilities, problem-solving skills, creativity, and cultural fit within the organization. By presenting candidates with unexpected challenges, interviewers can observe how they approach unfamiliar situations, communicate their thought processes, and adapt to new scenarios.”

“So while unusual interview questions can be valuable tools for assessing candidates, it's essential to use them thoughtfully and in conjunction with more traditional interview techniques to ensure a fair and comprehensive evaluation process,” she noted.

And of course, don’t forget to check out Margaret’s website where you can find a useful information how to get hired, promoted and earn more!

Additionally, we got in touch with Connie J. Clace, CPC, a professional career coach, and she kindly agreed to share her insights regarding interview questions.

“Interview questions, whether they are unconventional or not, should only be asked if they are providing valuable information to the interview in relation to the right fit of the candidate to do the job,” she emphasized.

“The conventional question of ‘Tell me a bit about yourself?’ doesn't really provide enough of a parameter to help the candidate know what the interviewer is looking for,” Connie pointed out.

She added that an unconventional question like "How do you see yourself fitting into the company's long-term goals" is much more valuable. It can show if the candidate has done their research on the company and has thought about their contribution.

Now, speaking about interview questions that are better avoided, she shared that she has never been a fan of generic questions like listing strengths and weaknesses, but there is also not really much of a value in asking questions like "If you could only have dinner with one more person, who would it be?"

“There are a number of unusual interview questions that can assess skills,” Connie noted. “But keep in mind that skills don't just mean technical. It also means those soft skills that are important for a team to be effective.”

She added that a good question to assess one of the soft skills would be "What kind of environment do you enjoy working in, and what would you do to contribute to this?"

"The bottom line, with any interview, the goal is to find out if the candidate is the right fit for the position, and the organization," Connie pointed out.

So, guys, what is the trickiest question that you have heard during a job interview? Share your thoughts below!