Wacky Job Interview Questions
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I’ve been on a few job interviews in my life, and I’ve fielded all the usual questions: Why do you want to work here? What are your strengths and weaknesses? Why did you leave your last job?
But some companies are eager to get beyond the standard rhetoric and capture a true picture of your personality and the way you think. Microsoft, Google, eBay, and Amazon, for instance, have become famous for fun techie interview teasers like these:
- How much does a 747 weigh?
- Why are manhole covers round?
- How many golf balls can fit inside a school bus?
- How much should you charge to wash all the windows in Seattle?
- Describe a chicken using a programming language.
Even in non-technical work environments, creative questions can arise. Here’s a roundup of 10 wacky job interview questions, along with my own off-the-cuff responses.
1. If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be?
Flight, for sure. I often fly in my dreams (what does this mean??).
2. What would you do if you didn’t have to work?
Exactly what I’m doing now. (wink, wink)
3. Who is your favorite Sesame Street character?
Bert. He’s always getting a raw deal from Ernie, and I like to root for the underdog.
4. List three words that describe your character.
Analytical. Honest. Melancholy.
5. What did you want to be when you were 10 years old?
Once upon a time I was an aspiring actress and singer.
6. What do you do when you lose your passion for something?
I try to plug away until the passion returns. If I make a commitment to something, it’s up to me to honor it, even when it’s unpleasant.
7. If you were a salad, what kind of dressing would you have?
Chipotle. I just like the sound of that word.
8. What would I find in your refrigerator?
Leftovers, leftovers, leftovers. We’re a frugal bunch here, and we like to recycle meals as much as possible. Especially if that means I don’t have to cook…
9. What makes you laugh?
My kids laughing.
10. What is the last book you read?
“The Juvie Three” by Gordon Korman. Perhaps my enduring love of children’s books reflects simplicity of the heart rather than simplicity of the mind. Here’s hoping.
Use these questions to prep for your next job interview, or just for fun like I did here. Happy interviewing!
-Robyn Tellefsen
Pick one or more of the questions above and share your answers in the comments!
Paul Lloyd Hemphill said,
January 5, 2009 @ 11:22 am
Very funny.
#7 answer should be stock and trade to such looney questions. You know…looney tune answer for a looney tune question.
It’s a perfect match and a show-in for the job….
Gina LaGuardia said,
January 5, 2009 @ 4:23 pm
I’d have to work hard not to crack up in an interviewer’s face if ever I was challenged with these questions. I mean, how do you answer what type of “salad dressing you’d be?” I suppose, if you were being interviewed for a language teacher position, it’d be easy (French, Italian… hardee-har-har), but WOW — time to brush up on my creativity and cleverness quotient. Good thing I have Twitter.
Alisa Bowman said,
January 5, 2009 @ 4:40 pm
What does a 747 weigh? A lot
Why are manhole covers round? Holes are round, and the construction workers who usually need to fit through them are sometimes round, too.
How many golf balls? A lot.
How much would I charge? I wouldn’t, because I have a fear of heights. I’d outsource.
A chicken using programming language? Hen pecked code.