Totaljobs.com > Career advice > Interviews > Interview questions: expect the unexpected
Interview questions: expect the unexpected
"Is a Jaffa cake a cake or biscuit?"
Totaljobs.com jobseekers have told us about all sorts of obscure interview questions they've been hit with; from the above cake/biscuit quandary to questions about desert islands and personal top five favourite film listings. Here's some of the more popular and recurring themes:
- If you were a fruit or vegetable what would you be and why?
- What three items would you take to a deserted island and why?
- Who do you respect most and who inspires you to strive for more?
The first important rule is not to panic. At times interviewers will throw slight curve balls at you to see how you react to unexpected interview questions. They simply want to see how well you can think on your feet and ideally whether you can stand tall and knock the proverbial ball out of the park. Here are some tips on how to hold your bat and get maximum swing:
- Don't forget to breathe! It may sound obvious, but under the spotlight you may feel pressured to speak a hundred words a minute. Don't be. Stay calm, clear headed and allow the words to come out in your normal tone.
- If you're really stuck, repeat the question; "Is a Jaffa cake a cake or biscuit? Hmm, well...". It's a simple, but popular technique. It will fill the immediate silence and give you an extra few seconds to think of a suitably witty or erudite answer. And a few extra seconds is sometimes all it takes for your mind to pull into gear. In comparison, a looming five second silence although it doesn't sound a great deal, can lead to panic when a panel of three or five people are staring with eyes fixed upon you. Not only this but by simply repeating the question, you demonstrate you're listening; you're confident enough to deliberate and consider the question. You are not simply someone who will blurt out the first thing that comes into your head.
- Keep your sense of humour and try to remember that no one expects you to have an answer for everything, but just as importantly you are not just being interviewed on your ability and formal skills alone. The people interviewing you want to work with someone they can relate to and get along with. Sometimes in busy and stressful work environments a sense of humour and personal skills are vital. Try to remember to be yourself and show not only your competence and confidence, but your warmth and personality. That's not to say you should be overly familiar or crack jokes every other answer, but use your judgement and attempt to sense when it is appropriate to be less rigid and more friendly/open in your response.
Ultimately, remember to find the right balance of humility and confidence. You want to communicate your skills, strengths and abilities in an earnest manner that tells the interviewer that you've achieved a lot both in your career and personal life and that you plan to achieve more. The balancing act is in communicating this without sounding like an ego maniac.
One quick and final job interview tip is that your confidence will be greater if you have done your homework. Make sure you research the company and their competitors. You should also re-read your CV. Take a further look through our interview questions and advice section, there are more useful and in-depth interview tips that will help focus your mind and give you that extra boost.
NB - Inconsequentially, cakes go hard when stale and biscuits go soft - as ruled when the identity of the Jaffa cake was questioned at a tribunal to determine whether VAT should be paid or not.
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Totaljobs.com > Career advice > Interviews > Interview questions: expect the unexpected
