HR managers, recruiters and companies use all kinds of tricks to throw job candidates for a loop, and mind-bending interview questions are just one tool in their arsenal. A good brain teaser can lighten the mood of the interview, or it can completely unravel a candidate who can't seem to think on his feet. Check out these actual questions that some Silicon Valley giants ask prospective employees.
Russian Roulette
Facebook asks a question about the odds of two bullets coming out of consecutive chambers in a six-chamber revolver. An imaginary kidnapper pulls the trigger while pointing an imaginary gun to your head once without a bullet emerging, so Facebook wants to know the odds of your death with another trigger pull or a spin in the revolver before pulling the trigger. Your odds of death increase if the kidnapper pulls the trigger without spinning the revolver a second time. This is one of those interview questions that has a right and wrong answer.
Gallons of Water
Google asks candidates, "How do you measure 4 gallons with a 3-gallon jug and a 5-gallon jug?" The trick is to fill the 5-gallon jug with just 1 gallon the first time and then 3 gallons the second time. Fill the 3-gallon jug all the way, and pour that into the 5-gallon container. Then do the same thing again, only this time the 5-gallon container only takes 2 gallons. This leaves you with 1 gallon in the smaller jug--so now you empty the larger jug, pour the remaining 1 gallon into it and then another 3 gallons from the full jug to make 4 gallons total.
Manhole Covers
Interview questions about manhole covers don't need math to answer the question, but you may need to remember physical geometry to arrive at an answer. Microsoft asks, "Why are manhole covers round?" The answer is that it's the only shape that cannot fall through itself--if you stand on the corner of a square, rectangle or triangle, the object may tilt and fall through the hole and take you with it.
Small Versus Large
LinkedIn wants to know how many golf balls fit into a 747 jumbo jet. Of course, looking the answer up on your cellphone creates a faux pas, as you should be focused on the interview and not your mobile device. These types of interview questions, the ones that ask you to fill a large object with a lot of small ones, are more about your problem-solving skills. There are several variations of 747s to account for, not to mention both cabin and cargo space. Do you break down the problem into smaller chunks to arrive at a larger answer, or would you simply look up the specs and calculate from there?
The trick to answering tough questions is to relax and not get flustered. Take a deep breath, put on your thinking cap, and do the best you can. Many times, HR wants to know how you handle a situation versus coming up with a right answer.
Brainy interview questions are all about gauging your thought processes when approaching a problem. Sometimes, answers are about breaking down a complex situation and then moving forward with how to solve it, as opposed to knowing the final answer.
Photo courtesy of supakitmod at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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