While some “out-of-the-box,” fun interview questions might seem pointless, asking the right nontraditional questions can add major value to any interview. These funky job questions can test a candidate’s ability to adapt or identify if they would be a cultural fit.
Here’s our compilation of creative questions that still yield relevant responses.
Ask these 6 fun interview questions to find the perfect hire
Teach me something I don’t know in the next five minutes.
Especially for management positions that require leadership and teaching, an interviewee’s abilities to think on their feet and deliver a presentation is essential. Is their teaching style effective? Can they think on the spot? In addition, a candidate’s answer can also serve as a behavioral reference to their passions and interests.
How many pennies would fit in this room?
This question isn’t so much about the answer as it is the reasoning behind it. Candidates do not need to have an accurate guess, instead, it should be focused on their thought process behind their answer. An ideal answer would be based upon education assumptions and all factors they consider before coming up with a solution. Conversely, a poor answer would be a simple guess without providing any rationale. If your candidate is extremely flustered by this question, it could be an indicator that they cannot think on their feet or struggle to find solutions to challenging problems.
How would you sell hot cocoa in Florida?
This question is perfect for candidates interviewing for sales positions. How do they devise a sales strategy and game plan for a product normally not relevant for a demographic? While answers will vary, the best responses will be pitches that actually convince you to purchase hot cocoa in Florida. This is one of our favorite questions because it can identify top performers with ease.
If you woke up and had 2,000 unread emails and could only answer 300 of them how would you choose which ones to answer?
This hypothetical can give you an idea of how your potential employee handles heavy workloads. How do they prioritize the most important tasks? An ideal answer would sound something like this: “Considering my current inbox, I would assume that half of those emails are junk. Since I have an automatic email sorting system in place, I would then focus on the most important categories. From there, I would prioritize responding to the most urgent matters and reply to the rest on the following day.” Listen carefully to see their thought process and prioritization.
Is your college GPA reflective of your potential?
Not all of your best employees will have 4.0 GPAs! This question is an opportunity for job seekers to explain both past grades as well as situational circumstances. Additionally, this is an opportunity for you to address any concerns regarding past academic performance. This interview question is best for recent college graduates or current students seeking employment.
Tell me something about your last job, other than money, that would have inspired you to keep working there.
This is a great way to see what a candidate values from their workplace. Did they enjoy the corporate culture? Did their previous company offer great benefits and retirement plans? If their favorite benefits align with your company, this individual will likely also be happy to work at your company. Use this opportunity to see if they would be a fit for your company culture.
Find your ideal candidate today
Hopefully, we’ve provided some insight on fun interview questions to ask during your next recruitment session. Make sure to check our additional resources on hiring and human resources.