We recently asked you what your most hated interview questions were. Here we share our tips on how to answer them.
2. Tell us something unusual about yourself
This question makes people feel nervous because they’ve had their serious, professional frame of mind engaged for the interview and suddenly they are being veered into uncomfortable, more informal territory. How unusual or bizarre should you go?
Again, the interviewer could have various motives for asking you this question. It might just be an ice breaker – to help you relax and inject a bit of personality into the interview process. They are probably also trying to gauge a bit more about your personality, hobbies and interests outside of work, your sense of humour, and how you might fit in with the team on a personal level. If you have any interesting hobbies or achievements (you were a member of the bee keeping society at university, or won the B-Boy championships last year) then go with these.
Alternatively, try and pick something that demonstrates a bigger passion such as travel – for instance perhaps you’ve got a project to travel to thirty countries before you turn thirty. You might use it to talk about your heroes – you once got stuck in a lift with David Attenborough for instance. Try to avoid ‘party tricks’ such as the fact you can touch your nose with your tongue or fit your fist in your mouth. You may be asked to demonstrate, and that could be undignified, and remember you are being asked to pick one thing that demonstrates how awesome you and interesting you are, so if that’s the best you can do your employer might not be too impressed. For the same reasons, of course, steer well clear from anything that is too risque – even if you can drink a record-breaking number of tequila shots before passing out.
Whatever you pick, approach the topic with enthusiasm and humour, which will allow your personality to shine through.
Stay tuned for more answers to your most hated questions later this week.
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I have just completed my phd and am looking out for post doctoral positions. This blog really dissolved my worry of as to how am I going to respond to the interview questions. Thank you!