Lets learn a thing or two about tough interview questions. You’ve finally landed the interview you’ve been waiting for, Congratulations! The next step is to make sure you’re prepared to answer any and all interview questions the Hiring Manager throws your way – including the curveballs, tricky but important ones.
What exactly are curveball interview questions? It’s a question that isn’t directly related to the job or your qualifications but is meant to catch you off guard and test how you react under pressure. Curveball questions can be difficult to anticipate, but with a little practice, you’ll be able to handle them like a pro.
There’s often no “right” answer to a curveball question, so don’t try to force one. Instead, use the interview question as an opportunity to show off your creativity, problem-solving skills, or knowledge of the company and role.
Oriental Career over the last decades, supported over 10,000 job seekers and young professionals to ace their job search strategies. In this article, I will share of nuggets and secrets that will increase your chances at interviews. Sit back, lets dive right in
What is a Curveball Interview Question?
Curveball questions are tricky interview questions that is designed to catch you off guard. Also known popularly as tricky interview questions. These types of questions are usually asked to test your reaction time, problem-solving skills, or creativity. Curveball questions can be difficult to answer because they are not straightforward, and they often require you to think on your feet. Be sure to use information interviews to predict such interviews before showing up
Types of Curveball Questions
There are a few different types of curveball questions that you may be asked during an interview. Here are some examples:
- Hypothetical interview questions: These questions ask you to imagine a situation and then describe what you would do. For example, you may be asked, “If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you bring with you?
- Brainteasers: Brainteaser questions are designed to test your problem-solving skills. For example, you may be asked to estimate how many footballs can fit into a school gymnasium.
- Riddles: Riddles are a type of brainteaser that typically has a humorous answer. For example, you may be asked, “What has a head but no body, a bed but no sleep, a mouth but no voice?”
- Personal questions: Personal questions are designed to catch you off guard and test your reaction time. For example, you may be asked about your biggest fear or a time when you made a mistake.
Answering Tricky Interview Questions
So, how do you answer a curveball Interview question? Here are a few tips:
- Take a deep breath and stay calm. Curveball questions can be stressful, but it’s important to stay calm and collected.
- Listen carefully and make sure you understand the question. This will help you avoid getting tripped up by a misunderstanding.
- Buy yourself some time by asking for clarification or more information. This will give you a chance to collect your thoughts before answering.
- Answer the question as best you can. There’s no perfect answer to a curveball question, so just do your best.
- Be honest and genuine. Curveball interview questions are often designed to catch you off guard, so it’s important to be authentic in your answer.
Here are some further examples of common curveball interview questions:
“What’s your favorite ______?”
This is a common curveball question, and it can be tough to answer. The best way to approach this question is, to be honest and genuine. Talk about your favorite thing, whether it’s food, hobby, or activity. And try to avoid controversial topics like politics or religion.
“If you were a ______, what would you be?”
This is another common curveball question. Again, the best approach is, to be honest, and genuine. Talk about what kind of ______ you would be, and why.
“What’s the weirdest ______ you’ve ever seen?”
This is a fun curveball question that can really catch people off guard. The best way to answer it is, to be honest, and share a story about the weirdest thing you’ve ever seen. And try to keep your answer lighthearted and fun.
“If you could have any superpower, what would it be?”
This is a classic curveball question that’s often used in job interviews. The best way to answer it is to think about what kind of superpower would be most useful in your desired job. For example, if you’re interviewing for a job in marketing, a superpower like mind-reading could come in handy.
Curveball Interview questions can be tough to answer, but they don’t have to be. Just remember to stay calm, listen carefully, and be honest and genuine in your answer. And you’ll do just fine.
30 Curveball Interview Questions and answers
Famously Tricky Interview Questions:
1. What would you do if you were the one survivor of a plane crash?
2. What was your first kiss like?
3. Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer or co-worker.
4. What is your favorite swear word?
5. How many hours did you spend online yesterday?
6. What is your favorite social media platform?
7. What would you do if you found a wallet on the street?
8. Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond for a customer or client.
9. What was your first job?
10. How many sick days did you take last year?
11. Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult situation at work.
12. What is your favorite thing about your job?
13. What is your least favorite thing about your job?
14. What are some of your hobbies or interests?
15. How would you describe yourself in three words?
16. What are some of your strengths?
17. What are some of your weaknesses?
18. What is the most difficult thing you have ever done?
19. Tell me about a time when you made a mistake at work.
20. How do you handle stress and pressure?
21. Tell me about a time when you had to make a difficult decision.
22. What is your favorite thing about yourself?
23. What is the best compliment you have ever received?
24. Tell me about a time when you went above and beyond for a friend or family member.
25. How do you deal with criticism?
26. What are some of your goals for the future?
27. How would you describe your work style?
28. Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer or client.
29. Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond for a customer or client.
30. What are some of your goals for the future?
Proposed Answers that Will Wow the Interviewer:
1. I would try to find a way to signal for help and then hunker down and wait for rescue.
2. It was awkward and not very memorable.
3. I had a customer who was demanding and rude, but I remained calm and professional and was able to diffuse the situation.
4. Shit
5. I spend about an hour or two scrolling through various social media platforms.
6. I like Instagram because I can follow a variety of accounts and see a lot of different types of content.
7. If it had an ID in it, I would try to track down the owner and return it. If there was no ID, I would hold onto it for a few days in case someone came looking for it and then donate it to a local lost and found or charity.
8. I went above and beyond for a client by staying late to help them finish a project they were working on.
9. My first job was working at a fast-food restaurant.
10. I took two sick days last year.
11. I had to deal with a difficult situation at work by remaining calm and professional and focusing on finding a resolution.
12. I like that my job is challenging and that I can learn new things.
13. I dislike the monotony of some tasks and the slow pace of others.
14. Some of my hobbies include reading, hiking, and spending time with friends and family.
15. Driven, determined, and hardworking.
16. Some of my strengths include being able to stay calm under pressure, being detail-oriented, and being able to work well independently or as part of a team.
17. Some of my weaknesses include being perfectionistic, being a bit of a workaholic, and sometimes having trouble saying no to people.
18. The most difficult thing I have ever done is move to a new city by myself.
19. I made a mistake at work by forgetting to do something that I was supposed to do.
20. I handle stress and pressure by taking a few deep breaths and focusing on the task at hand. I also try to take a break if I feel like I’m getting overwhelmed.
21. The most difficult decision I ever had to make was whether or not to move to a new city for a job.
22. I like that I am a good problem solver and that I am always willing to help others.
23. The best compliment I have ever received is that I am a good listener.
24. I went above and beyond for a friend by helping them move to a new apartment.
25. I deal with criticism by trying to see it as constructive and use it to improve my work.
26. Some of my goals for the future include continuing to learn and grow in my career, and making a positive impact in the lives of others.
27. My work style is focused and task-oriented. I like to get things done efficiently and effectively.
28. I had to deal with a difficult client by remaining calm and professional and finding a creative solution to their problem.
29. I went above and beyond for a client by staying late to help them finish a project they were working on.
30. Some of my goals for the future include continuing to learn and grow in my career, and making a positive impact in the lives of others.
Interview questions can sometimes throw you off guard. However, if you are prepared for them, you will be able to answer them confidently and accurately. In this article, we have provided tips on how to handle difficult questions. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of landing the job that you want.
Looking for an interview preparation support services to increase your chances and wow your interviewer? Oriental career’s Job Search Consultants are standing by to help. Read more about our interview preparation services here
