Now for Some Strange But True Interview Questions

A job interview is the culmination of the hard work you've put into trying to find your dream position. However, you still have to prepare, think on your feet and give great answers in front of people you don't know. Some questions — or at least versions of them — show up in nearly every interview, but sometimes interviewers throw in a strange question or two just to see how well you handle the pressure.

Most everyone knows to prepare for open-ended questions, and if you can find out the format of the job interview beforehand, that lets you prepare for the type of grilling you're about to receive. Some HR managers prefer scripted questions, while others like to create a conversational atmosphere. Some questions involve showing off your past work in a portfolio or solving a complex problem that you may face while on the job. Some of these queries, compiled by Glassdoor, appear truly out there until you realize the purpose behind including unexpected questions in an interview.

Ducks Versus Horses

From an interviewer at Whole Foods Market: "Would you rather fight one horse-sized duck or 100 duck-sized horses?" This strange question is a matter of perspective: Something the size of a horse is pretty big, but a human might be able to outmaneuver it. A hundred of anything duck-sized could overwhelm the combatant. The question doesn't mention the kinds of weapons available — maybe that's part of the answer.

Hot Cocoa in a Hot Place

A business acquisitions candidate in Atlanta came across the strange question, "How would you sell hot cocoa in Florida?" This line of thinking takes the classic "selling ice to an Eskimo" scenario and switches settings to a hot climate and a hot drink. The question actually makes sense when applied to a scenario in which someone in a business acquisitions setting tries to convince a business owner to sell to another company. The owner may not like the proposal at first. This unconventional question gives the interviewer an idea of how a candidate would go about sweetening a deal.

Penguins in Odd Places

"What would you do if you found a penguin in the freezer?" This strange question happened during an interview for Trader Joe's in Orange, California. Hopefully the person said, "Call animal control or the zoo." Of course, that's only if the penguin is still alive when you find it.

The Size of Basketballs

A potential Delta Airlines employee had to answer, "How many basketballs would fit in this room?" That actually makes sense, as airline employees work in confined spaces and need decent spatial orientation awareness skills.

Handling Odd Questions

Dealing with a strange question doesn't have to be stressful. Handle the scenario as you would any other question. Pause for a moment, and take a deep breath. While you take the deep breath, think about a response. Remember that some questions may not have a right or wrong answer. The interviewer's line of thinking could be a test of character or personality rather than a way to determine your problem-solving skills.

A strange question doesn;t have to ruin your interview experience. Sometimes you just have to expect the unexpected in today's competitive job — no matter how well you prepare ahead of time.

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