Re: Nonsense/Abstract Interview Questions

Obscure. Absurd. Abstract. Nonsensical. Or just plain STRANGE.

During an interview, were you ever asked a question so unusual it caught you off guard?

Like:

– “Why are manhole covers round?” (asked by Google)

– “How would you solve problems if you were from Mars?” (Amazon)

– “Can you say ‘Peter Pepper Picked a Pickled Pepper’ and cross-sell a washing machine at the same time?” (MasterCard)

Questions like these are used regularly in job interviews today and in some cases they’re the most consequential.

They’re asked so hiring managers can observe how you see yourself, learn your personality, see how you think on the fly, or test your abstract reasoning and/or creative thinking.

Remember:

There’s no right or wrong answer. Hiring managers want to observe your thought process. You can’t anticipate these questions or rehearse your answer.

Here’s what you can and should do:

Be yourself. Stay composed. Take a moment to think. Ask questions. Be creative. Think critically and think out loud. It’s OK to give an absurd answer as long as it’s thoughtful, purposeful, and can be defended.

Have a strange interview question story or a question about job interview prep? Share it with us here.

About The Author

Adam Curtis
Director of Brand Strategy

To avoid watching the final season of Game of Thrones, Adam keeps himself busy engaging our marketing, recruiting, and customer experience frameworks. While he’s often behind the scenes pulling the strings, his insight, experience, and job search expertise shine through in efforts to expand brand reach and serve as a driving force behind many of our endeavors. Connect with Adam on LinkedIn.