Three Unconventional Interview Questions - and How to Prepare an Answer

Wondering How to Ace Your Next Job Interview? 

This post will help you get out of your head and into the mind of the interviewer.

Interviewing can be one of the most stressful parts of job searching for so many. But, I've got news for you...it doesn't have to be! Through some reframing and out-of-the-box preparation tips, you CAN feel ready and make a lasting impact on the hiring manager.

How Should I Prepare for an Interview?

One of the invaluable pieces of advice that I consistently offer my clients is to not only focus on preparing for the technical aspects of an interview, but also to be prepared to showcase how you are a fit for the culture of the company and the team.

You absolutely need to be dedicating a significant amount of time to researching the company, understanding any challenges they may be facing, and determining how you can contribute, it is equally important to recognize that an interview is not solely about your job readiness. So much of an interview is about culture fit!

What are Hiring Managers Looking For in an Interview?

When a hiring manager selects a candidate, they are, in a nutshell, solving a problem!

There is a gap or needs to be filled on their team. Your job is to prove that you're the tool for the job.

You are stressed about the interview, right? Hiring managers are equally stressed about finding the right fit for the job.

They are faced with the daunting task of choosing someone who they will be spending a substantial amount of time with. Realistically, it could be even more time than they spend with their own families!

So you will also need to show that you "fit" in the culture...and that you will be able to quickly establish a a rapport with the team.

In this blog post, I'll cover three challenging questions that you might not be ready for. We will talk about how to prepare for them and what the hiring manager is really asking.

Interviews Aren't Just About Your Skills - Companies are Hiring You (a Whole Person!)

There are many types of questions in an interview. Some are related to hard/technical skills. Others are soft skills, such as communication and conflict resolution.

Other questions are more open-ended and can help a hiring manager understand what you are like on a personal level.

Being ready to answer any question that comes your way, and having a strategy to deal with it when you're not, is essential to getting past the interview and securing an offer.

By demonstrating your interpersonal skills and compatibility, you increase your chances of making a lasting impression on the hiring manager and securing the job opportunity.

A successful interview is not just about showcasing your qualifications and expertise; it's about presenting yourself as a well-rounded individual who can contribute not only professionally but also personally to the organization.

So, take the time to prepare for both aspects of the interview, and you'll be well on your way to acing it and landing that dream job.  

What Are Some of the Most Important Interview Questions to Be Ready For? 

1)  How to Answer culture questions like "What was the last book you read" or "What do you do in your spare time?" in an interview

I have a BA in Communications and a Masters in English, so it’s a natural that I would be asked this, however many of my clients that regularly interview and hire have this question on their list. Not a reader? Have something else in your back pocket – as in, “I’m actually an avid moviegoer – I recently saw XXXX. Have you seen it yet? It’s great!”.

While these might seem like unconventional interview questions on the surface, they are really trying to get at who you are beyond the resume.

This can be asked in a variety of ways, and believe it or not, can trip you up just as easily as What’s your biggest weakness. You want to be ready with something interesting that sounds natural.

Stay away from anything controversial or too personal, while at the same time being truthful and a little intriguing. Interesting hobbies?

Antiquing, hiking, cooking… Are you a fitness buff? How about “I really love to stay healthy so my family and I are always trying to find way to keep active, and I love cooking healthy and finding new ways to eat well without being boring.

2) How to Answer: "Tell Me About a Time When You Didn't Meet Your Goal?" in an interview

This is not an opportunity to dish on your mistakes. This is actually an opportunity to showcase your greatest strengths in a different way. 

For example, if you are extremely organized and known for outstanding follow through, you might say something like:

"One of my superpowers is follow-up. I always go out of my way to ensure customers know that I have their back...that I'm there for them and their project will exceed their expectations. In my most recent role, we took on too many projects and I was under-resourced. I was proactive in letting my supervisor know; however, the work was already booked so I really just had to plow through. The project load was truly unrealistic, but I did what I do best - created a tracker, organized my resources, and stayed in constant communication with our clients. While I wasn't able to get everything done exactly to spec, our clients were aligned because I had proactively communicated delays and we were able to get over the hump without any attrition."

3) How to Answer "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" in an interview 

This can be kind of a disaster if you’re not prepared. Realistically, this job that you’re interviewing for may not actually be your dream job, or anything like it. In fact, you may not even know what your dream job is.

This question is not actually asking what your dream job is. This question is designed to elicit whether you are invested in your own development and whether you will actively contribute to your own advancement.

A great way to answer this question to think through what success looks like in the role you are interviewing for and tailor your answer to that.

For example, if advancement in this role would look like expanding the size of your team and the scope of projects you manage, you could say:

"In five years, I could see myself taking on more significant projects and also advancing from managing single projects to overseeing one or a few project resources, stepping into more of a direct client liaison role."

Here’s my take. Most of us work to live and not  the other way around. The best of what we can hope for is a job where you like the people you work with, feel challenged, have opportunity to grow, and feel like you’ve done something at the end of the day.

This question is a chance to mention all that, as in “What I am looking for is an opportunity to grow professionally, and make significant contributions to the company as well. I would love to have a mentor in the next role that I undertake, and after all the research I’ve done and talking to you, feel like Company Name would be a terrific fit.”

Interviews are Your Chance to Leave a Lasting Impression With a Hiring Manager

Like any other question list, the important thing is to BE PREPARED. Always be ready for anything, and try to be as poised and concise as possible. It’s ok to be nervous, employers will actually expect to see a bit of that, and it makes you look like you want the job..which is a good thing. Just remember, this interview is about more than just your job skills – your employer is also feeling you out to see if you’re a personality and culture fit as well.