Be Aware of These Five Unexpected Questions

Perhaps one of the hardest aspects of job interviews revolves around figuring out what questions to ask prospective candidates. A typical interview question may range from an inquiry into your time away from work to how you handled difficult situational scenarios at a previous employer. However, be aware of a few unusual questions that interviewers may use to determine your true personality.

A unique interview question forces you to think spontaneously and give an honest answer. You can rehearse questions such as "Why do want to work for us?" and "Why did you leave your last employer?" That's why inquiries that throw you for a loop remain important to the interview process. Check out these five questions someone may ask during your face time.

1. "Why Shouldn't We Hire You?"

Instead of an interview question about your weaknesses, this line of thinking gets to the bottom of your transparency, integrity and self-awareness. This query forces you to take a candid look at your personality. As with all other questions, take a moment to think of a response and then give a measured answer. For example, talk about how you may show up 15 minutes late at least once per week.

2. "How Do You Celebrate Success?"

This interview question serves two purposes. One, it lets the interviewer know if you fit in with the company culture. Two, it lets you know that success has rewards, including possible promotions. If you answer with "I go to a bar and have a drink with the team," that lets the HR know that you enjoy spending time with co-workers. Alternatively, you may say you enjoy taking your family out to dinner, which informs the room that you value your family.

3. "How Does Your Last Company Differ From Its Competition?"

An interview question explaining a competitor reveals your critical thinking skills. The answer you give helps define a company's goals and mission. You can list the strengths or weaknesses your previous employer had within the sector of the economy. Either way, the question makes you truly think about how a company operates.

4. "Why Did You Choose to Join Your Previous Employer?"

This line of thinking tries to get to reveal what stood out about your previous job. Obviously, you want something different now because you have a job interview in front of you. However, this question talks about your true feelings with respect to your former colleagues. Do not badmouth former co-workers or previous supervisors. This demonstrates that you are not a team player.

5. "Tell Me About a Disagreement You Had With a Senior Member of the Staff"

This is one of those situational scenarios that helps hiring managers gauge how you handle authority. Surprisingly, some companies may want people who think outside the box and who have different opinions from supervisors, but it's still important to remain respectful of your manager and relay your thoughts in a positive way rather than start a heated argument.

One of the most important aspects of unusual interview questions centers on balancing success and failure. Do you rest on your laurels, or do you only try to improve after failing to land a sale? The answer to these questions may determine if you truly fit with a company and land your dream job.

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