How To Handle Curveball Interview Questions

You finally scored an interview for that dream job, beating out dozens, if not hundreds of qualified applicants. Now you just have to impress the hiring manager, as well as your potential new boss, in person. Of course, this can be easier said than done, especially if the company is fond of asking candidates to answer unusual questions during the interview. At Here’s Help, we are committed to helping our clients land the jobs of their dreams. Here are some of our top tips to help you handle those curveball interview questions without losing your cool:

Relax

Tech companies and startups are notorious for asking strange questions of their job candidates. And while your first reaction may be to panic when an interviewer asks what animal you’d be in your next life and why, the best thing to do in this instance is to relax. In many cases, these types of questions have no single right answer, and the hiring manager is more interested in your creativity and thought process than a correct response. After all, a candidate who can remain calm and answer creatively is likely to do the same when faced with a stressful situation on the job.

Take Your Time

We’ve all been in that uncomfortable position where an interviewer asks a question to which we don’t know the answer. When faced with this challenge, remember that you don’t have to reply immediately. It’s perfectly acceptable to take a moment or two to think before responding. After all, it’s better to say something creative and memorable than to spit out the first thing that comes to mind.

Focus on the Why

It may not be immediately clear why an interviewer is asking about your favorite superhero or how to calculate the number of dogs in the United States. However, the truth is that employers ask oddball interview questions to gain some insight into the way you think. As a result, your specific response may not matter as much as your reasons for giving it. For example, a candidate for a collaborative position on a marketing team might answer the superhero question by saying she’d be a member of the Avengers, showing her penchant for working in a group. Focus on how the question relates to the job in question and score high points in that next interview.

Speak to a Here’s Help Recruiter

At Here’s Help, we specialize in connecting talented workers with the best companies throughout the Hudson Valley. Visit us online to search available jobs in Middletown or call to set up an appointment with a member of our staffing team.

We look forward to helping you score not only that dream interview but the job you want as well.

One thought on “How To Handle Curveball Interview Questions

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