The 10 oddest job interview questions
When it comes to job interviews, questions such as listing your strengths and weaknesses are increasingly old school.
Instead, companies are coming up with some quirky questions that are aimed at making applicants show they can think on their feet, apply analytical skills in stressful situations, and have creative ways of thinking. It's not a new strategy, given that Google became famous for the approach over a decade ago, but it may flummox some job hunters, especially if they last looked for a job several years ago.
Workers in search of a new job should be prepared for these unexpected questions, according to employment site Glassdoor, which culled the oddest interview questions its members have reported encountering this year. Even if an interviewer asks a question that seems like it's coming from left field, don't laugh or answer in a monosyllable, given that the companies are looking for candidates who can answer thoughtfully and engage in the challenge.
"Employers want to determine how different candidates respond to challenges, and those who respond well may have the edge when it comes to receiving a job offer," said Susan Underwood, Glassdoor's head of global recruiting and talent acquisition, in a statement.
Many of the companies that made Glassdoor's list are household names, which indicates how common these strategies are.
Below the the 10 oddest questions Glassdoor members have reported in 2016.
1. "When a hot dog expands, in which direction does it split and why?" -- This question was asked of a SpaceX Propulsion structural analyst candidate.
2. "Would you rather fight 1 horse-sized duck, or 100 duck-sized horses?" --Whole Foods meat cutter job candidate.
3. "If you're the CEO, what are the first three things you check about the business when you wake up?" -- Dropbox rotation program job candidate.
4. "What would the name of your debut album be?" -- An Urban Outfitters sales associate applicant.
5. "How would you sell hot coco in Florida?" -- J.W. Business Acquisitions human resources recruiter job candidate.
6. "If I gave you $40,000 to start a business, what would you start?" -- Hubspot account manager job candidate.
7. "What would you do if you found a penguin in the freezer?" -- Trader Joe's job candidate.
8. "If you were a brand, what would be your motto?" -- Boston Consulting Group consultant job candidate.
9. "How many basketballs would fit in this room?" -- Delta Air Lines revenue management co-op job candidate.
10. "If you had $2,000, how would you double it in 24 hours?" -- Uniqlo management trainee job candidate.