28 Unique Interview Questions & How to Answer Them

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Many companies include asking creative, unconventional questions in their interview process. Such questions help them assess problem-solving, creative thinking, and other valuable skills in a candidate. Moreover, the tone of responses shows them whether you are a good fit for the company culture.

On average, the job-seeker spends 5 to 10 hours preparing for a job interview. So, why not include practicing unique interview questions in your preparation? Knowing what to expect will help you emphasize your creativity, showcase your personality, and make an ideal impression.

Topics	Details
1. Describe yourself in one word	details...
2. Where do you see yourself in five years?	details...
3. What are your greatest weaknesses?	details...
4. Do you prefer a team work environment or independent work?	details...
5. Why are you interested in this role?	details...
6. What are your strengths and weaknesses?	details...
7. Which superhero is your favorite and why?	details...
8. In five minutes, teach me a random skill	details...
9. Where would you go if you had to move across the country tomorrow, and why?	details...
10. How many windows are there in Los Angeles?	details...
11. What would your family say is the most unique thing about you?	details...
12. Are you a cat or dog person?	details...
13. What was the most challenging decision you've ever made?	details...
14. Tell me about a time when you had to resolve a conflict with a team member.	details...
15. Have you ever had to assume leadership for a team? What did you do?	details...
16. How do you prioritize tasks?	details...
17. How would you handle project delays or changes?	details...
18. What do you do to prevent stress and burnout in the workplace?	details...
19. What do you do if someone interrupts your work?	details...
20. How would you make a new team member feel comfortable?	details...
21. How would your ex-boss describe you?	details...
22. What is something you're considered an expert in?	details...
23. How would you describe your work style?	details...
24. How would you say your values align with our company values?	details...
25. Tell me about an interesting experience you've had recently	details...
26. Tell me about a time a job or company wasn't a great fit	details...
27. Can you share with us an embarrassing moment where you were able to laugh at yourself?	details...
28. What's something you haven't told us in this interview, but that we'd find out about after working with you?	details...
29. What is your ideal work environment?	details...

Popular interview questions, such as "Where do you see yourself in five years?" can tell a lot about the candidate. The only downside is that such questions often lead to generic responses. As a result, a hiring manager cannot evaluate your personality and ability to think on your feet.

On the other hand, unique interview questions lead to deeper insights. They show the candidate's ability to think creatively, communicate effectively, and respond to non-standard situations. Companies like Google, Tesla, and Amazon use unique questions in job interviews, and smaller organizations follow their examples.

Why do companies ask creative interview questions?

To know the candidate on a personal level. Many creative questions have no right or wrong answer. Their main goal is to show the employer how you think and approach problems. Based on your response, they assess your soft skills and personality traits which are essential for team-oriented roles.
To gauge your critical thinking. Unique questions urge candidates to think on their feet and come up with creative responses. The candidate's response shows the employer how they are likely to act at work when something unexpected occurs. Thus, such questions are popular on interviews for roles that require handling multiple projects or clients in a turbulent environment.
To assess cultural fit. Cultural fit is hard to evaluate, and the cost of the wrong hire can be high. Thus, the interviewer will ask odd questions to assess your communication skills, sense of humor, and see if you will connect well with others.
To stand out as an employer. Creative and fun interview questions will help the company be remembered. Plus, they make the interview more fun and engaging for both sides. Eventually, such questions contribute to the HR brand, as you are likely to tell your friends about unique questions.

Now, let's jump to specific interview questions you might be asked, and how to respond to them.

1. Describe yourself in one word

2. Where do you see yourself in five years?

3. What are your greatest weaknesses?

4. Do you prefer a team work environment or independent work?

5. Why are you interested in this role?

6. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

You will hear these questions in nearly every job interview. Employers use them to learn more about your professional background, current goals, and how you respond to various situations at work.

However, many candidates simply rehearse and practice them at home, which often leads to generic answers. They fail to expose your personality and inner motivation, which urges employers to come up with more creative interview questions.

Tip: To effectively prepare for all interview questions that the hiring manager might ask, read our article on Top interview questions & how to answer them.

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Image: https://i.pinimg.com/736x/be/31/c7/be31c7b727ef8860cd60b760e544c087.jpg

Interview questions are not always focused on a particular role. Creative questions are asked with several goals in mind. Firstly, they let candidates relax and serve as conversation starters. Secondly, while they make a fun first impression, they show the candidate's way of thinking and how they approach unconventional situations.

Here are some questions you might hear:

7. Which superhero is your favorite and why?

Questions about superheroes and superpowers are a great conversation starter! Just focus on the superhero's qualities that resonate with you. Example: "Wonder Woman is my favorite superhero because she embodies strength, compassion, and leads with empathy at the same time".

8. In five minutes, teach me a random skill

Choose a simple skill that you can effectively explain to the hiring manager. It can be a card trick, a drawing or origami technique, or a productivity hack. The goal of this question is to show that you can communicate quickly and in an engaging way, and whether your communication style fits into the company's culture.

9. Where would you go if you had to move across the country tomorrow, and why?

This question isn't job-related, but it gets the conversation going. The answer is simple: pick a place you'd genuinely enjoy and explain your reasoning. Share a specific plan if any. Giving a clear answer will emphasize your adaptability, open-mindedness, and strong research skills.

10. How many windows are there in Los Angeles?

This one is tricky! Don't try to guess the exact number. Instead, shed light on your thinking process and how you approach this task. You might stick to a logical approach - break down the problem, calculate the size and density and building, and give an approximate range. Alternatively, you may approach the task creatively and show that you can think on your feet.

11. What would your family say is the most unique thing about you?

It is one of the common interview questions as it demonstrates your self-awareness. What qualities will you choose to emphasize? Would it be your work-related or personality traits? Reflect on your unique qualities as your family perceives them - your sense of humor, a specific skill, or your important hobby. The way you answer this question will show the HR leaders if you fit into the company's culture.

12. Are you a cat or dog person?

This simple question is not related to the company's values. It simply taps into your personality and your way of connecting with others. Choose your preference and explain your reasoning in a couple of sentences. Example: "Cats for me, all the way. I admire their independence, creativity, and their passion for discovering something new."

Behavioral interview questions help understand your work style and whether it is a good fit for a potential company. Plus, 75% of interviewers say that behavioral questions help evaluate a candidate’s potential performance. They are not as straightforward as the "Why did you leave your last job" type of question. Instead, they evaluate your mindset and how you respond to different workplace situations.

13. What was the most challenging decision you've ever made?

Challenges occur in any work environment. Hiring managers want to see a candidate who can demonstrate critical thinking and the ability to solve problems to make teams work effectively (if you're a leader). Pick a real difficult situation, show the steps you took to handle it, and explain your thinking process.

14. Tell me about a time when you had to resolve a conflict with a team member.

People with conflict mediation skills are the top candidates for any position. Describe a situation where you had a conflict with a coworker, focusing on your conflict resolution, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Example: "I had a conflict with a new hire who had a different approach to client communication. I scheduled a one-on-one session with them to discuss our perspectives and listen to their viewpoint. I suggested a compromise that worked for both of us and helped them work more productively."

15. Have you ever had to assume leadership for a team? What did you do?

Taking control over important projects, training team members, and displaying the initiative are sought-after skills. If the hiring manager asks this question, expand on a time when you took leadership over something or somebody, even if you weren't a formal leader. Briefly describe the actions you took and the results you achieved for the team.

16. How do you prioritize tasks?

Time management and prioritization are one of the most popular interview questions to ask candidates. These are not questions about your favorite literary character or your pet peeves. When answering task management questions, you have to be specific.

Explain specific methods you use for managing your workload, prioritizing tasks, and setting long- and short-term goals. Share specific software and tools you use, from to-do lists to Kanban boards and Pomodoro tools. More importantly, shed light on how you organize the working process, coordinate tasks with the management and coworkers, and set career goals.

17. How would you handle project delays or changes?

Many of us lose temper when things don't go as planned. Your goal is to share specific strategies you use when deadlines are not met, someone is late, and the project is off track. More importantly, you need to show adaptability, communication, and problem-solving skills, proving that you can bring value to the company even when things seemingly fall apart.

18. What do you do to prevent stress and burnout in the workplace?

This is one of the simple, general questions that require a straightforward answer. Talk about how you stay active, minimize stress, and take care of your well-being.

Example: "To minimize stress, I stay active and maintain a work-life balance. I practice yoga every day, sleep at least 7 hours, and have a healthy diet. On weekends, I make time for hiking or cycling with friends. I practice mindfulness techniques every day, and I have to reveal that I feel stressed not as often as I did before, which helps me to stay productive."

These common questions are designed to gain deeper insights about your personality. They uncover your key traits, beliefs, and important attributes that define whether it is comfortable to work with you. They also test how well you get along with others.

19. What do you do if someone interrupts your work?

Being interrupted is sometimes frustrating, so you need to show professionalism and strong communication skills. However, don't stretch the truth and say that you are always super professional and ready to help. Instead, indicate that you acknowledge interruptions but prioritize your most important tasks first and postpone interruptions if they are not urgent. Specify that you maintain a friendly and cooperative demeanor but set boundaries to work productively.

20. How would you make a new team member feel comfortable?

Give insight into your teamwork skills and welcoming nature. No need to try to look like everyone's best friend - just show that you are eager to help the newcomers. Example: "I make an effort to welcome new team members and set them up for success with the team. In my previous role, I helped two new hires with onboarding. I offered a workspace tour, helped them dive into our goals and processes, and checked in with them frequently to see if they need any assistance".

21. How would your ex-boss describe you?

In this question, your goal is not to describe yourself as a perfect candidate. You need to show that you recognize what your boss expects from you and that you can meet these expectations. Make sure that your answer aligns with the job requirements.

Example: "My previous boss would likely mention my strong work ethic. I was super attentive to detail when answering customer questions, and helped resolve conflict situations to retain customers and help the business grow".

22. What is something you're considered an expert in?

Choose the area related to your direct responsibilities, and prove your expertise with examples. Say, as a PM, you can talk about your vendor and client negotiation skills that helps your projects stay on track even if something doesn't go as planned. Or, capitalize on your hard skills and how they helped you save costs for company.

23. How would you describe your work style?

This one is to check your self-awareness and how well your working style aligns with the company culture. If the target role assumes working independently, focus on your ability to come up with creative ideas, suggest solutions to problem that arise, and excel with little supervision. When answering the same questions for team-oriented roles, mention that you enjoy brainstorming and collaboration.

Cultural fit is difficult to measure, and if the qualified candidate doesn't fit in culturally, they will struggle to be productive. Therefore, hiring managers go to great lengths to evaluate cultural fit in candidates. Here are some questions you might hear:

24. How would you say your values align with our company values?

By asking this, hiring managers check if you are familiar with their company values in the first place. Plus, they want to see if you share these values. If your values are divergent from theirs, they might see you as a wrong fit. Highlight the shared values, and back up your answer with examples. For instance, you may speak about their emphasis on sustainability, collaboration, or innovation.

25. Tell me about an interesting experience you've had recently

Employers don't ask this question to hear a hilarious story. First and foremost, they want to hear about work-related experiences and understand what you find interesting and what fascinates you in your work. Say, you can recall the day when you met an ex-coworker at a conference and they inspired you to explore the new trend in your industry further.

26. Tell me about a time a job or company wasn't a great fit

This is one of the best interview questions as it shows if you are a good cultural fit based on lessons learned. Avoid being negative and explain how that experience helped you understand what you want in a work environment. Example: "In my previous role, I found that fast-paced, competitive environment to be a bit overwhelming. While I learned a lot, I realized that I thrive in a more collaborative and supportive work setting. Now, I am looking for a company that values teamwork and healthy work-life balance".

27. Can you share with us an embarrassing moment where you were able to laugh at yourself?

This question shows if you can laugh at yourself, as a good sense of humor is an important trait in a candidate. Think about an awkward situation you handled with humor, and share this story with a hiring manager.

28. What's something you haven't told us in this interview, but that we'd find out about after working with you?

To answer this one, choose a positive personality trait or passion that relate to the job. Give a glimpse into what makes you unique and adds value to you as a candidate. Example: "You would probably find out that I am a trivia enthusiast. I enjoy learning new things and I'm always up for a good brain teaser. I believe it might come in handy during team brainstorming sessions!"

29. What is your ideal work environment?

This direct question shows how well you fit into the company culture. Say, if you are looking for a job that values independent thinking and ability to work with no supervision and the company offers a collaborative environment, they might think you aren't the best fit. Do your research and adjust your response to their expectations from a candidate.

Above, we've listed some examples of creative interview questions. While it might be difficult to prepare for all such questions, there are specific strategies that will help you make a positive impression:

Expect the unexpected. It is hardly possible to rehearse all odd interview questions. Instead, try to develop the ability to think creatively and answer the unexpected questions on your feet. Don't try to come up with the right answer. If you are not sure how to approach it, add humor and demonstrate your thinking process.
Never say "I don't know" or "Not sure". Even if the question sounds overwhelming, don't refuse to give your response. Approach creative questions with interest and enthusiasm. Instead of saying "I'm not sure", try "That's an interesting one! Let's think..." The hiring manager will surely appreciate your go-to attitude.
Think out loud. Don't worry if your answer is right or wrong as you answer odd questions. Focus on how you approach the problem. Explain your thought process and reasoning. You might even think out loud and articulate your ideas to the interviewer.
Be respectful and professional. When answering any interview questions, remain calm, professional, and respectful. Even if some questions sound funny or casual, answer them from the professional point of view and remember that the hiring manager evaluates your professional attitude.
Focus on traits important for the role. Many creative questions measure your cultural fit and personality traits important for the target job. So, think about which of your experiences prove values and skills essential for the target job, and emphasize them as you give your answers. Be authentic and show your personality.

You should be asking your questions at the end of the interview, too! Here are some great examples of questions that will help you stand out as a candidate:

1. What makes this company different from other places where you worked before?

Although a bit straightforward, asking this question can provide you with firsthand experience of what it is like to work in this company. It gives the interviewer an opportunity to tell how they feel about their current job and reveal insights you won't find in a job description.

2. Do you see any reasons why I might not be a great fit for the job?

By asking direct feedback, you show that you are not afraid of owing your mistakes and are eager to grow professionally. Plus, if the interviewer gives you an honest answer, you can address any issues that concern them on the spot.

3. What types of metrics will you use to assess my performance?

This question shows that you are a result-oriented professional. In other words, you are asking them "What should I do to perform well once hired?" This is the exact attitude that hiring managers want to see in a candidate.

4. Are there many internal promotions?

This question will help you find out if the company has vertical career growth opportunities. Do they train and promote internal staff, or prefer to hire senior managers externally? If you are looking to make it to a C-level role, you can encounter a lot of helpful insights.

5. How does the company handle constructive criticism and healthy conflicts?

Conflicts occur in every workplace, and you want to know how the company resolves employee disagreements and conflicts.

Unique and creative interview questions help employers assess cultural fit and personality traits of candidates, which are difficult to assess using traditional interview questions.
When answering an odd interview question, approach it with enthusiasm. Think out loud to show the interviewer your way of thinking and use humor or creativity.
Use personal stories and case studies from your work history to showcase specific traits and values that are important for your target position.

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