Job interviews are stressful for most of us, especially when you encounter an unexpected question you have not prepared for. Interviewers sometimes throw in less common questions to see how you think on your feet and to dig deeper into your personality, problem-solving skills, and cultural fit. Here are eight less common interview questions and tips on how to answer them effectively:
“If you were an animal, which one would you be and why?”
- Why They Ask: To test your creativity and gain insight into your personality traits
- How to Answer: Choose an animal that reflects strengths relevant to the job. For example, you might say, “I’d be an eagle because I’m able to see the big picture while also focusing on details when needed, much like how I approach projects.”
“Tell me about a time you disagreed with a colleague. How did you handle it?”
- Why They Ask: To see how you handle conflict and collaborate with others
- How to Answer: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to explain a real situation. Focus on how you resolved the conflict constructively. Example: “I once disagreed with a colleague about the first step for a new project. I listened to their concerns, offered a compromise, and we managed to meet halfway, starting the project efficiently.”
“What’s the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?”
- Why They Ask: To understand your decision-making skills and willingness to take on new challenges
- How to Answer: Choose a professional example that highlights calculated risk-taking, and explain the positive outcome. For instance, “I once led a new marketing strategy for a product launch that was very different from our usual approach, using no social media at all. It was a risk, but it resulted in a 25% increase in sales.”
“If you had to teach a class on any subject, what would it be?”
- Why They Ask: To showcase your passions and expertise
- How to Answer: Choose a subject you’re knowledgeable and enthusiastic about. It doesn’t have to be directly related to the job, but linking it to a transferable skill is a plus. Example: “I would teach a class on the social psychology of teams because I enjoy helping teams meet their goals efficiently but realize there are often different personalities in groups that affect collaboration.”
“How do you stay organized?”
- Why They Ask: To know if you have systems in place to manage tasks efficiently
- How to Answer: Highlight specific tools or methods you use to stay organized, such as calendars, task management apps, or prioritization techniques. Example: “I use a combination of to-do lists and Google Calendar to keep track of projects and deadlines. My task list helps me to prioritize tasks daily and ensure I’m meeting deadlines”
“What do you think our company could do better?”
- Why They Ask: To test how well you know the company and whether you have valuable insights to offer
- How to Answer: Offer constructive feedback without being overly critical. Show you have done your research. Example: “I’ve noticed your social media engagement is lower than some competitors. One way to improve this might be to create more interactive content that encourages customer participation.”
“What motivates you to come to work every day?”
- Why They Ask: To understand your values and what drives your productivity
- How to Answer: Focus on intrinsic motivators that tie into the job. For example, “I’m motivated by the opportunity to help my team achieve shared goals. By taking into account my team members’ skills, I am able to come up with creative solutions to help us tackle tasks effectively.”
“What’s the most interesting project you’ve worked on, and why?”
- Why They Ask: To understand what excites you professionally and how you tackle interesting or complex tasks
- How to Answer: Pick a project that showcases your skills and passion for your work. Example: “The most interesting project I worked on was developing a custom CRM solution for a client. It allowed me to apply my coding skills and manage customer feedback while taking into account the client’s specific demands and needs.”
TLDR:
Less common interview questions can seem tricky, but they offer a great opportunity to showcase your personality, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Set yourself apart by preparing ahead of time to show you are capable of handling the unexpected. Stay authentic, keep calm, and remember to tie your answers back to the role and company you are applying for. To search for open positions, download the FrogHire.aiextension for your job/internships hunt—with the personal dashboard you can not only organize your search but you will be able to revise/tailor your resume alongside each job post, allowing you to see specific areas in the job post you want to highlight in your own resume.