Interviewers might sometimes ask tricky questions. These questions are designed to get you to reveal something about yourself. They also want to check out how well you communicate and whether you can think on your feet.
In an interview you should always answer every question as honestly and positively as you can. Don’t spend too much time giving your answers to tricky questions, though – you don’t want them to be the focus of the interview.
Examples of tricky questions
Here are some examples of tricky questions you may be asked.
"Why did you leave your last job?"
Here are some possible reasons you could give for leaving your last job:
- It didn’t fit with your interests at that time
- You had to travel too far each day
- There were no opportunities to advance your career
- You’ve increased your qualifications and are looking for work in a more specialised field
"Why have you had so many jobs?"
You don’t want the interviewer to think you can’t commit to a job. Here are some possible answers to this tricky question:
- You wanted to try different jobs to broaden your skills - this has given you a wealth of experience to bring to the job
- You were unsure about where you wanted to work, but now you’re clear about what you want are ready to make a commitment to one workplace
Your answer to this question could also include some of the reasons for leaving your job outlined above.
"Why were you out of work for so long?"
You don’t want the interviewer to think that no one wants to employ you. It's better to say you chose to take time off between jobs. This might be because:
- You needed a break for physical or emotional reasons
- You wanted to explore study opportunities
- You were travelling to gain experience
- You had a personal situation that needed your attention
Brainteasers
Sometimes employers like to hit their potential employees with brainteaser questions.
Interviewers ask these questions to test your thinking and check your problem-solving skills. It’s all about how creative and resourceful you can be.
There are four types of brainteasers:
- Questions with correct answers
- Questions without "correct" answers
- Questions that you have to break down
- Questions that test your performance
How to handle them
Here are some tips to help you answer brainteasers:
- The obvious answer is usually wrong
- All the information you need is provided
- Ask questions if you need clarification
- Share your thought processes
- Don't repeat the question to stall for time
Sample questions
Here are some brainteasers and their answers to give you an idea of how they work.
Questions that have correct answers
You’re in a room with three light switches. Each switch controls a light bulb in the next room. All lights are off, and you can't see into the other room unless you go into it. You can go into the light bulb room once. How do you work out which switch controls which bulb?
Call the switches 1, 2 and 3. Leave Switch 1 off. Turn Switch 2 on for five minutes and then off. Turn Switch 3 on. Enter the room. The bulb that is on is controlled by Switch 3. Feel the light bulbs. The warm bulb is controlled by Switch 2. The cold bulb is controlled by Switch 1.
Questions that don’t have correct answers
How would you weigh an aeroplane without scales?
There are many solutions, but one possible response is to put the plane on a boat and paint a mark where the waterline is. Now remove the jet and load the ship with items of known weight until it sinks to the line. The weight of the items is the plane's weight.
Questions that you have to break down
Here's a mobile phone. Deconstruct it for me.
All you have to do here is explain what the mobile phone does. Describe what it is as simply as you can. It's a tool you use to talk with people. Then talk about what it does. It can be used to store contact details, make calls, send emails, and take photos or videos. You could also talk about how you would use it if you got the job.
Questions that test your performance
Please take this pen and sell it to me.
You have to convince the interviewer to buy the pen. You can be creative and make up some different uses for the pen (e.g. a hair pin, a lockpick, a back scratcher) The way you deliver this answer is important too. Get excited about the pen. You really believe in it!
Don't freak out
Tricky questions are just another way that employers try to pick the best suited person for the job. But just because the questions are tricky doesn't mean they're impossible.
Remember - if you've prepared yourself to answer a few curly questions, then you've already given yourself a good a head start!
