If you are asked an interview question that seems bizarre, don’t be panic. Though you have no control over the questions you’ll be asked during the interview, you have complete control over how you answer them. Below is a list of tips on how to handle a weird interview question.
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Prepare. The best way to prepare for any interview question is to practice. Practice answering common interview questions with a friend. This will help to give you confidence during the interview. Tell your friend to ask you a couple tough interview questions during your practice as well.
Stay Calm. If you are asked a question that stumps you, first take a deep breath. Maintain good posture, and look into the interviewer's eye. You are supposed to appear calm and confident, even if you don’t feel that way.
Buy Some Time. If you draw a blank, know that it is ok to take a little pause before answering. You can also buy some time with a comment such as, “that is a very interesting question; let me think about that for a moment.”
Ask Questions. Most odd interview questions are intended to assess your critical thinking skills. Quite often, there is no “right” answer. Explaining your reasoning out loud as you respond to the question will demonstrate your thought process, even if you struggle to arrive at the answer. If you are at all confused, ask clarifying questions.
Think About the Job. Remember that interview questions are designed to determine whether or not you have the skills required for the job. As you answer a question, think about answering in such a way that demonstrates a skill or quality you have that qualifies you for the job. For example, if the interviewer asks what color best represents you, you might say, “blue, because it is a calming color, and I am good at staying calm under pressure.”
Come Back to it Later: If your mind is still blank, consider saying something like, “that is a very interesting question. May I take some time to consider it and get back to you later?” Hopefully, after a little time, you will be able to answer the question.
Follow-Up. If you could not answer the question by the end of the interview, include a response to the question in your thank you letter.
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