11 Weird Interview Questions and How to Answer Them Like a Pro

Last Updated on June 4, 2025 by Katie

Ever wondered why interviewers ask you what kind of crayon you’d be or how you’d sell ice cream in Alaska? These seemingly weird interview questions have become increasingly common as companies seek to evaluate candidates beyond their rehearsed responses about strengths and weaknesses.

In today’s competitive job market, employers use unconventional questions to assess creativity, problem-solving abilities, and how candidates think on their feet.

While technical skills matter, these weird interview questions reveal crucial aspects of personality, adaptability, and cultural fit that traditional questions might miss.

There’s no guarantee what strange interview questions you may be asked.

But, I did a little research to find out common ones to help you prepare during your next job search phase.

Take a look below for what I uncovered!

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Common Weird Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

You might have experienced being stumped by a weird interview question before? I have!

I remember that rising panic in my chest and the blank, foggy brain, just not knowing what to say!

While interviews can be pressure-filled, it helps to prepare.

Take a look at these weird interview questions and sample answers so you can give yourself a chance of acing your next interview.

1. “If you could be an animal, what would you be, and why?”

This question tests your creative thinking and shows how you view your professional strengths.

Your response reveals self-understanding and the ability to make meaningful comparisons.

Sample Answer 1: “I would be an elephant because they excel at remembering important details, work well in groups, and show persistence when facing obstacles. These traits match my ability to track project specifics, collaborate with teams, and stay focused on goals despite challenges.”

Sample Answer 2: “I’d choose to be a dolphin for an interview because they combine smart problem-solving with flexibility. They communicate clearly and work together to achieve goals. Similarly, I value clear team communication and creative solutions to workplace challenges.”

Pro Tip: Pick an animal whose traits honestly reflect your work style. Make direct connections between the animal’s characteristics and your professional abilities.

2. “How would you explain the internet to someone from the 1800s?”

This question checks how well you can break down complex ideas into simple terms.

Employers want to see if you can explain technical concepts to people without technical knowledge.

Sample Answer 1: “Think of the internet as a worldwide library that connects instantly. It’s like sending a letter that arrives in seconds, or reading any book without leaving home. Similar to your telegraph but much more powerful – it sends written words, pictures, and even moving images between any two places on earth.”

Sample Answer 2: “I’d compare it to a network of instant messengers who can share not just letters, but voices, music, and pictures. Picture combining your post office, libraries, shops, and meeting halls into one system that works instantly.”

Pro Tip: Use examples from the 1800s to create clear comparisons. Start with basic ideas they understand, then build up to more complex concepts.

3. “How would you sell ice cream in Alaska?”

This question tests your ability to sell products in challenging conditions.

It’s particularly useful for marketing and sales positions.

Sample Answer 1: “I would focus on indoor marketing, making ice cream a cozy comfort food. We’d highlight the contrast between cold outdoors and warm homes, turning ice cream into a unique indoor treat. During tourist season, we’d market it as a special Alaskan experience – eating ice cream in one of Earth’s coldest spots.”

Sample Answer 2: “I’d create special flavors with Alaskan berries and local ingredients. We’d run promotions during indoor events and festivals. Research shows people in cold areas actually buy more ice cream than expected, so we’d develop unique marketing content for year-round luxury.”

Pro Tip: Think about ways to change product perception rather than the product itself. Look for hidden opportunities in tough markets.

4. “If you were on an island and could only bring three things, what would you bring?”

This question shows how you handle limited resources and plan ahead.

Your answer displays your ability to think strategically under constraints.

Sample Answer 1: “I’d bring a multi-tool for building shelter and finding food, a survival guide for practical knowledge, and a satellite phone for rescue contact. This matches how I handle work projects – having the right tools, using proven methods, and keeping communication channels open.”

Sample Answer 2: “I’d choose a fire starter kit for basic needs, a fishing kit for ongoing food, and a waterproof tarp for shelter. This reflects my work approach: setting up core systems first, creating sustainable processes, and protecting essential resources.”

Pro Tip: Link your choices to work-related skills. Show how you balance immediate needs with long-term planning.

5. “You are a new addition to the crayon box, what color would you be and why?”

This question checks your creative thinking and how you present your unique professional value.

Your answer shows self-awareness and the ability to stand out.

Sample Answer 1: “I’d be ‘Adaptive Azure’ – a blue that shifts with its surroundings while keeping its core shade. Like this color, I adjust to different team settings but maintain my work standards. Just as artists find multiple uses for this versatile shade, I bring flexibility to various projects.”

Sample Answer 2: “I’d be ‘Innovative Indigo’ with unexpected gold specks that appear during use. This matches how I combine reliable performance with original ideas. Like an artist discovering new possibilities, I bring both consistency and fresh thinking to work challenges.”

Pro Tip: Select a color that matches your work strengths and explain the connection clearly. Focus on what makes you different and valuable to the team.

6. “If you found out you won $50 million in the lottery tomorrow, what would you do with the money?”

This question shows how you handle unexpected resources and plan for the future.

Your answer reveals your values and character in both personal and professional contexts.

Sample Answer 1: “First, I’d work with financial advisors to create a solid investment plan. Then I’d start an education foundation to support technical training programs. I’d put money into green energy projects that offer both environmental benefits and returns. While I’d enjoy some personal comforts, I’d negotiate a pay raise for key team members. The financial security would let me focus on creating positive change in my field.”

Sample Answer 2: “I’d take a methodical approach – first securing my financial future through diverse investments. Next, I’d create programs to fight hunger using sustainable models. I’d stay active in my career, choosing projects based on their potential impact rather than just income. The money would change my bank account, but not my drive to find a career path and contribute meaningfully.”

Pro Tip: Show how you’d use resources wisely while staying committed to work and community goals. Your answer should reflect both personal growth and social responsibility.

7. “Are you more of a hunter or a gatherer?”

This question checks your work habits and team fit.

It looks at how you balance focused goal-seeking with careful detail collection.

Sample Answer 1: “I work mainly as a gatherer but switch to hunter mode when needed. As a gatherer, I notice small details others might miss and build strong team connections. When specific goals need quick action, I shift into focused hunter mode to get results fast.”

Sample Answer 2: “I use both styles in my work. The gatherer side shows in my careful research and information collection. My hunter side comes out during project planning and execution, where I keep a clear eye on targets. This mix helps me handle both consulting and quick decisions.”

Pro Tip: Show how you can switch between styles based on what each project needs. Most companies want people who can adapt their approach to different situations.

8. “If you could be granted superpowers, what superpower would you like to receive?”

This question shows what you value most and how you think about improving your work abilities.

Your answer tells employers about your professional goals and work style.

Sample Answer 1: “I’d choose instant language translation. In global business today, this would remove communication barriers and help build stronger international teams. It fits my focus on bringing different viewpoints together and making sure everyone’s ideas get heard.”

Sample Answer 2: “I’d pick the power to absorb and recall information from any book or document instantly. This would help me stay current with industry changes others might miss. While I already spend time learning daily, this would let me bring more value to solving workplace challenges.”

Pro Tip: Select powers that clearly help your work performance. Explain how they would make you more effective, not just make tasks easier. Avoid powers that suggest working alone or skipping important steps.

9. “If you had $1,000 and needed to double it in 24 hours, how would you do it?”

This question checks your quick thinking and ability to manage risk under tight deadlines.

Your answer shows how you handle time pressure and limited resources.

Sample Answer 1: “I’d run a targeted social media flash sale offering pre-ordered digital products. Using my design skills, I’d create limited-edition items and put the $1,000 into focused ads reaching my existing network. By offering exclusive designs with 24-hour delivery, the scarcity and quick turnaround would help double the investment.”

Sample Answer 2: “I’d use my market knowledge to find undervalued items in specialty markets. I’d buy items priced below market value due to poor listings, then quickly relist them properly. This uses my expertise to spot opportunities others miss while creating fair value through better presentation.”

Pro Tip: Focus on using your actual skills rather than risky schemes. Connect your plan to real work abilities you can demonstrate.

Further reading: How to get promoted at work.

10. “What product or brand best describes you?”

This question tests how well you understand yourself and can match your qualities to well-known brands.

It shows if you can draw meaningful connections between brand traits and your work style.

Sample Answer 1: “I’m like Lego – I fit well with different teams while staying true to my core strengths. Just as Lego pieces create countless solutions, I bring structure and fresh ideas to projects. Like Lego’s ongoing product updates that work with older sets, I add new skills that build on my basic abilities.”

Sample Answer 2: “I match with Apple’s approach to work. I focus on making complex things simple and putting users first. Like Apple’s product updates, I look for ways to improve standard practices. I blend technical skill with a focus on making things work better for people.”

Pro Tip: Pick brands that truly match your work style and values. Be ready to explain specific ways your professional traits connect to the brand’s key features.

11. “Can you tell me about a complex problem you faced where you implemented a creative solution?”

While more traditional than other interview questions, this one tests your real-world creative problem-solving abilities and shows how you tackle challenges innovatively.

Sample Answer 1: “When our global supply chain broke down during COVID-19, I created a new distribution network using local partnerships we hadn’t considered before. By mapping available resources differently and setting up flexible delivery systems, we kept service levels at 93% while competitors dropped below 70%. This required completely rethinking our logistics rather than just fixing the old system.”

Sample Answer 2: “After finding negative brand perception in a key market segment, I launched an unusual campaign that openly addressed critics instead of ignoring them. We created content showing our understanding and invited customers to help shape solutions. This turned critics into supporters and grew our market share by 14%.”

Pro Tip: Structure your answer using the STAR method – explain the Situation, Task, Action, and Result. Focus on how your solution differed from standard approaches and produced better outcomes.

Tips for Answering Weird Interview Questions

Here are a few tips to help you manage when faced with these questions:

• Stay calm and take a short pause before answering
• Think about what skills the question aims to check
• Link your answer to the job and your abilities
• Give honest answers rather than trying to guess what’s “right”
• Show your distinct way of thinking through problems
• Keep a positive attitude when facing unusual questions
• Practice creative responses before your interview
• Know these questions often test personality and team fit
• Use appropriate humor to show you’re comfortable with surprises
• Ask questions to clarify if you’re unsure what they’re asking

Remember: Weird interview questions let you stand out from other candidates.

They show how well you think on your feet and handle unexpected situations. Focus on highlighting your problem-solving skills and unique perspective while staying professional.

The Art of Mastering Weird Interview Questions

Remember that weird interview questions aren’t designed to trick you – they’re opportunities to showcase your authentic self and creative thinking abilities.

By preparing for these unconventional scenarios while staying true to your professional identity, you can turn surprising questions into memorable moments that set you apart from other candidates.

The key to success lies not in having perfect answers, but in demonstrating your ability to think critically, maintain composure, and draw meaningful connections between unusual scenarios and workplace relevance.

Embrace these questions as chances to show potential employers the unique perspective you’ll bring to their team.

Not sure what job is right for you?

Take a look at these 15 best remote jobs for a midlife career change.

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11 Weird Interview Questions and How to Answer Them Like a Pro

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11 Weird Interview Questions and How to Answer Them Like a Pro

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Katie Lamb

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Remote Work Rebels

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