Job interviews can be daunting, even for the most experienced and well-prepared candidates, because you never know what kind of questions might come your way.
No matter how much research or preparation you carry out before the interview, just one unexpected question is enough to throw you off guard and lead to a moment of panic. These curveball questions are often designed to test how well you think on your feet and handle the pressure.
To help ease pre-interview nerves and help you prepare for even the most unusual questions, Guy Thornton, Founder of Practice Aptitude Tests, has shared a list of unexpected job interview questions along with expert tips on how to successfully navigate them:
1. If you were a superhero, what powers would you have and why?
“To gain a better understanding of your personal and professional strengths, the interviewer might enquire about your ‘superpowers’.
“Rather than focusing on who your favourite superhero is, recognise that this question is a creative way of asking you about your strongest qualities. It’s an opportunity to showcase what makes you unique and leave a lasting impression.
“The purpose of this question is to assess your creativity and values, what skills you admire in others, and help the interviewer analyse how well you think on your feet.
“Some examples of superpowers you might be able to relate to the job role are super speed, which gives you the strength and endurance to face challenges; shapeshifting, which shows your flexibility and adaptability; or X-ray vision, as this highlights your eye for detail.”
2. What animal best represents you as a person?
“The purpose of this question in a job interview is to assess your core personal values, as people often associate animals with certain personality traits.
“To prepare for this question, think about what traits align with your work style and values— such as leadership, resilience, teamwork or creativity. Explain how the animal you choose reflects your qualities and how these characteristics can add value to the company.
“For example, you may use a lion to highlight your leadership skills or a dolphin to demonstrate your adaptability and communication skills.”
3. How would you explain social media to someone from the 1800s?
“This question is a bit of a curveball and might catch you off guard if you’re unprepared. Ultimately, the purpose is to test your ability to simplify complex concepts, which is a good indicator of how you communicate and teach new skills to others.
“To answer this question effectively, use concepts familiar to that era to bridge the gap in understanding. Then, simplify the core ideas of social media by breaking it down into its most basic functions: communication, information sharing, and building communities. Then, highlight its impact and how it influences daily life, similar to how other inventions from that period would have done.”
4. How would you survive a zombie apocalypse?
“An interviewer may ask this question to explore your problem-solving and strategic thinking skills under pressure.
“Relating this question to a zombie apocalypse helps recruiters gauge your ability to remain calm yet resourceful in extreme and stressful situations, which reflects your crisis management skills.
“Highlight your ability to think strategically by explaining a clear survival plan, emphasising skills like adaptability, teamwork, leadership, and resourcefulness. Connect your survival strategy to the job role and how these qualities are valuable within the workplace.”
5. What would you do if you won the lottery tomorrow?
“If this question arises, avoid the temptation to list the cars, mansions, and yachts you’d buy with your hypothetical lottery winnings. The real purpose of this question is to analyse your long-term goals, values, and motivations.
“The goal is to highlight that you’re responsible for and motivated by more than just money, while also giving insight into your personal goals.
“Although there’s no harm in acknowledging the excitement of winning, make sure to also emphasise the importance of making smart financial decisions and commitment to pursuing meaningful work or projects, even with newfound wealth.”