Advice for your next job interview
When you head to a job interview, you’re probably prepared for all the boring, normal interview questions they ask. You know, questions like, “Why do you want to work for this company?” and “What kind of work experience do you have?” That’s easy.
But what should you do if the interview starts getting weird? Here are some tips on handling unexpected interview questions.
How to answer a weird interview question
When job interviewers ask bizarre things, they’re hoping that by catching you off guard, they’ll get an unrehearsed answer and a glimpse of your real personality. They may ask questions like these:
- What’s your favorite animal, and why?
- If you were an ice cream flavor, what would you be?
- What do you dislike most about yourself?
- Why are you better than all the other people who are applying for this job?
You really can’t prepare for interview questions like these. If you’re stumped, the first words you say can be, “Hmm, let me think about that for a moment.” That will give you a little extra time to compose an answer. Try to be honest, but not too honest. “Because they suck” is probably not the best answer to that last question.
How to answer an inappropriate or illegal interview question
Sometimes you’ll get a question in a job interview that just seems a little too personal. We mean questions like these:
- Exactly how old are you?
- Where are you from?
- How’s your health?
- What does your husband (or wife) do?
- Do you have any kids?
- Do you plan to have children?
The interviewer shouldn’t be asking you these questions. Federal law prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender, race and other protected categories. So what should you do?
You don’t have to confront the interviewer. Nor do you have to answer the question. You can say simply, “Why do you ask?” or “I’m not sure how that’s relevant to the job.” Chances are the interviewer doesn’t realize she’s asking an illegal interview question – maybe she’s just trying to make conversation. The interviewer may clarify that she needs to know if you’re over 18, or if you can safely lift 40 pounds, both of which are appropriate interview questions if the job has certain requirements.
