Become an expert at answering the weirdest interview questions

How to react

The interviewer knows it is a ridiculous question but remember it is still an interview. Don't turn it into a joke, but don't take it too seriously either. Acknowledge it is a little strange by smiling or maybe laughing a little when you are asked an unusual question, but then approach it in a considered manner. Such hypothetical questions are designed to find out about you rather than having a correct answer.

If you were an animal what would you be?

While this seems a strange question, it is more about understanding your character rather than finding out whether you prefer dogs or cats. Make sure that the reason behind your answer has amiable characteristics such as an intelligent or strong animal. Turn the question into discussing your qualities and why you suit the job. Don't get distracted by what breed of dog you find the sweetest!

If you were having a dinner party and could invite three famous people, who would they be?

Again, this is designed to find out who you admire and what kind of person you are. Answering with the name of someone like your sports hero or influential leader is good as long as you can show that you can be passionate about a team or a cause. Don't just say people for the sake of it and think hard about who they perhaps would not hear. Saying someone like Nelson Mandela and then admitting you don't know much about him will not impress anyone.

Which three things would you save from a fire in your house?

This question is designed to test what you value as a person. The most common answers are personal items such as pets, photographs or jewellery. Think about what you really would take. You will appear more genuine if you talk passionately. Really, there is no correct answer – even if you said getting yourself and your family out safely is worth more than anything, the interviewer will respect it.

If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money?

This question reveals what you really want in life. When given endless possibilities, your answer should show what you are truly like as a person. Remember though, you are in an interview – saying you would quit in an instance and buy a sports car is hardly the reckless attitude that the interviewer is hoping to find in a potential employee. Choosing things that would enhance your life already such as taking your family on a holiday or donating to a charity personal to you gives a better impression. You may also want to splash out on a fast car, but the interviewer does not need to know that!

What do such questions achieve?

You may think that the questions are just a bit of fun but really they are a tool the interviewer uses to find things out about you that standard questions don't reveal. Asking about your skills and previous employment don't give an impression of you as a person and this is what they really care about. The silliness of the question will also relax you and you will become more willing to be yourself, but don't relax completely – your answers and your manner of answering will be scrutinised by the interviewer.

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