If you were an animal, which animal would you be and why? If asked this question during an interview, would you have a response on the spot? The truth is, there is no wrong or right answer to this question. The hiring managers ask funny interview questions to see if you can do the job. The unorthodox and sometimes bizarre interview questions help hiring managers to evaluate your critical thinking process, problem-solving skills, your ability to work under pressure and your creative abilities.
The interviewer is not trying to make you suffer during the interview. No! They want to see how well you can think on your feet. It allows recruiters to know how your mind works when faced with unexpected situations. Technically, there are no wrong or right answers, but the more you put some thought into the responses for these questions, the easier they become to tackle.
1. Tips on how to answer funny interview questions
2. Why funny interview questions are important
3. Funny interview questions and answers
The interview process can be nerve-wracking; from answering questions correctly, maintaining the right body language, to managing your interview jitters and making the best impression to increase your chances of getting the job. However, relaxing and preparing beforehand can help you ace every interview you attend, even if the interviewer asks an unexpected question. Don’t worry, all you need to do is:
It’s important to remember that the hiring manager is not looking for the right answer, they want to see how you arrive at the solution. You can also practice how to answer these questions before going for the interview.
1. Create a relaxing environment
2. Help to assess the candidate’s abilities and skills
3. Demonstrates a candidate’s ability to fit into the company culture
1. If you were a tree or animal, what kind would you be?
The tree you choose must be strong like an oak. The animal you select should be intelligent and with a strong character like a tiger or lion. Avoid picking weak trees or animals. Animals should also not be cuddly. You want to showcase strength in character. You also want to convince the hiring team that you are an intelligent leader. The question tests your strengths in the role. It doesn’t matter what tree you choose. However, it matters how your answer shows that you are an excellent fit for the position.
2. Do you have a problem with certain people?
Be careful when answering this question. The explanation you give can make the employer think you discriminate people based on their looks or character. The best solution would be that you do not have a problem with people, but you have a problem with some behaviors people portray. Relate your answer to the job role.
3. How many gas stations are in [specific location]?
The question is meant to test your problem-solving skills, especially when dealing with enormous problems. You may have to estimate or do some actual calculations.
4. What type of food would you be if you were a food?
The question tests personality. It tells the employer what kind of food you like and how you treat your body. Are you an unhealthy or healthy eater?
5. What issues make you angry?
This question tries to find out if you are quick to anger and how you handle anger. Your answer should show that you do not lose your temper. For example, “I like to handle issues as they come. Doing this helps me avoid having a buildup of issues that could make me angry.”
6. What is your theory on Bigfoot?
This one tests your beliefs and faith. The answer will tell your employer if you are more of a believer in science or religion. It will also check your logic when it comes to the unknown and how you react to
touchy situations.
7. Do you think of yourself as a hunter or gatherer?
This question tries to find out whether you are a risk taker or you take your time when performing tasks. Hunters are risk takers who face different challenges when hunting. Gatherers take time to find what they need. They know where to get the best and sometimes will venture into the unknown to discover it.
Your answer should focus on the qualifications of the position. For example, a social media manager candidate will say, “I am a Gatherer. I make engaging posts tailored to my audience through collecting insightful data from my social media campaigns.”
8. What are the other ten uses of a pencil apart from writing?
This question shows how well you think on your feet. It diverts away from the traditional interview questions. Some of the funny answers can be picking earwax from your ear. Gross, but some people use it for that purpose.
9. What would you do if you found an elephant in your backyard?
This question tests your reasoning skills and what you would do if faced with weird situations. It shows how you think, prioritize issues and solve them. Your answer could be “I would feed it, then call the relevant authorities to come and get it.”
10. We finish the interview and on your way home, the lottery company calls to tell you that your ticket has won $30 million. What do you do?
This question tries to gauge your motivation for the role. If money is the only thing motivating you to take the job, then you are not a good fit for the position. The hiring manager wants someone who will be driven to come to work every morning and find genuine fulfillment in their everyday tasks. They want an engaged employee since they are likely to perform better than non-engaged employees. Your answer should show that you are genuinely interested in the job regardless of the income attached to it.
11. What would you charge if tasked with washing all the cars in [specific location]?
This query determines how well you can solve problems that have no easy solution. The answer will gauge your logical problem-solving skills and whether you can remain calm when handling unexpected issues.
12. How many golf balls would you fit into this room?
The hiring manager is gauging how you handle challenges that seem impossible. “I would have to measure the length, width, and height of the ball and multiply it by three. However, the number will depend on whether the furniture will still be in the room or not.” The answer demonstrates your ability to use simple solutions to solve difficult problems. Make an impression before you answer the question by asking non-obvious questions about the room.
13. If I had the power to grant you a superpower of your choosing which one would you choose?
This question determines your personality and whether you would fit into their company culture. Use it to showcase your skills and how you would make a significant impact on the team.
14. The apocalypse is finally upon us; how do you survive?
This question tests your leadership skills and whether you can work as part of a team. There is no wrong or right answer, but your solutions should showcase skills related to the position.
15. On a scale of 1 to 10, how weird are you?
There is no right answer, but the question tries to gauge if you will fit into the company culture. Be honest but avoid being a 1 or 10. You don’t want to be extremely weird since this may affect your relationship with colleagues at work. You can’t be a one either since no one is perfect.
The same applies when the employer asks you to rate on a scale of 1 to 10 how lucky you are. If you are a one, then you have a problem identifying why bad things are happening to you, and probably blame it on others. If you are a 10, then you have no idea why good things happen to you and might lack confidence.
16. If you became a parent today, what would you do as your parents did and what would you do differently?
This question shows your personality and how you will behave once hired. Most people will try and do what they liked in their parents and avoid what they hated.
17. If you were an office appliance, what would you be?
Don’t blurt out chair immediately. Think hard and relate your answer to the great personality you have.
18. How do you fit a camel into a fridge?
This one tests your logic. Ask questions like, “how big is the fridge?” or “Is the camel a young one or an adult?” before answering the question to show that you don’t just do as you’re told. The answer you give should show that you take initiative and consider every option on the table before finding a suitable solution.
19. What book are you currently reading?
The query gauges your personality. Do you like the classics, romance, thrillers or motivational genres? There is no wrong or right answer. The chances are that one of the interviewers may be interested in the same genre you are!
20. If allowed, what would be your background song as you worked?
Choose a song that empowers or lifts your spirits. One that transforms your gloomy vibes to rainbows and unicorns. Remember, there is no right or wrong answer but do not mention songs with profane or discriminatory language. Professionalism and respect should be paramount!
If you get asked a funny interview question, don’t fret. Instead, smile, remain calm, watch your body language and provide the best possible answer you can think off. These questions are only there to help the interviewer get to know the real you. The one your carefully crafted resume will not show.
Did you find this helpful? Tell us other funny interview questions you’ve been asked.
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Thanks for finally talking about it
By Vonnie Rix (Dec, 2020) |
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Very nice article. I certainly love this site. Keep writing!
By David W (Nov, 2023) |