How many recruiters does it take to change a lightbulb?
Hiring managers occasionally like to test a candidate’s problem-solving skills and encourage them to demonstrate examples of logical thinking. We’ve covered how to answer common interview questions, but what happens when you’re asked something more unconventional?
Here are a few of our favourite unconventional interview questions, and how to answer them…
How many basketballs can you fit onto a bus?
Some of our favourite answers…
Depends on if the basketballs are inflated or not!!
Vicki Wicks
Single or double decker?
Kerry Fleming
As with a lot of these questions, there isn’t a definitive answer. It’s really all about demonstrating a logical way of working them out. A great example of how to answer is:
Avaas Beenie: Calculate length, width, height = cubic metres. Account for seats etc. then assume the size of an inflated ball is 0.2 cubic metres. You divide the cubic metres of bus space by the ball space and – any space for seats, bars etc
How many traffic lights are there in London?
Some of our favourite answers…
Sets of lights or individual lights?
@nrogers959
The whole of London has about 3,500 traffic lights. There are about 300 junctions , which bear these traffic lights.
@hyderymr
A lot. We think @hyderymr is probably along the right lines. Essentially, it’s all about estimation and demonstrating logic in reaching the conclusion. Ok, you get the picture…
How many piano tuners are there in the entire world?
Some of our favourite answers…
Not enough, I dare say…
Rosario Scalzo
enough to make beautiful music
Janet Baker
Basically go with a well thought out estimate, e.g. ‘That would depend how many pianos there are in the entire world. For example, if pianos need tuning once a week, and it takes an hour to tune a piano and a piano tuner works nine hours a day for five days a week, then pianos need tuning each week. It would be one for every 45 pianos. Give or take…’ If you can demonstrate how adept you are at logical thinking… Ok, you get the picture.
A man pulls up to a hotel in a silver car, and immediately realizes he’s bankrupt. What happened?
Some of our favourite answers…
He landed on a boardwalk
Joanne Armour
He was playing Monopoly.
Ste Hampson
He was playing Monopoly. Let’s face it, everyone loves a riddle. Remember: some questions may be thrown in to catch you out. Try not to overthink the question. Taking a deep breath may help… (and give you a handy time to pause for thought)
Explain a database in three sentences to your eight year old nephew?
Some of our favourite answers…
It’s like what’s in your head, in a machine. Got that? Good!
@DennisCattell
You have short answers to lots of different questions. Those answers are put on a computer. You look at other peoples answers and see how they are different to your answers. WAKE UP, NEPHEW!
Michael Gibson
Sometimes candidates rely too heavily on overcomplicated answers and technical jargon. This question relies on your ability to simplify things and being able to describe them in a succinct and concise way.
Something along the lines of: ‘A database is a lot of things, which have all been put together in a group. They have lots of information in them, and are kept on a computer. A very nice person sorts them all out’ will be sufficient.
Failing that go with: ‘Grown. Up. Stuff.’
If you could be any type of biscuit, what type of biscuit would you be, and why?
Some of our favourite answers…
Chocolate digestive because it goes with tea & coffee well
Alex Tee
A chocolate digestive- like a classic digestive, only better, able to withstand a dunking, and can be put to a variety of uses AND I’d be universally loved
Ruth Chapman
Custard Cream. Always Custard Cream.
Whatever the question may be, most unconventional interviews don’t really have set right or wrong answers. They are meant to demonstrate how a candidate would react if a difficult problem came up, not to mention how they would cope under pressure.
Deceptively, they aren’t intended to take too much time. Instead of trying to come up with the perfect answer, just be creative and come to your own conclusion.
As long as you can demonstrate how you got there, you’ve passed the test.
Finally, how many recruiters does it take to change a lightbulb? Answer: too many…
More interview questions
Of course, there are many different types of interview questions – and not all of them are intended to throw you a curveball.
So whether you’re looking on advice how to answer questions about your career goals, competency questions or character questions – we’ve got you covered.
And if you’re stuck for what to ask at the end of the interview, view our suggested job interview questions now.
Still searching for your perfect position? View all available jobs now.
The question to answer 4, is:
“A woman pulls up to a hotel in her silver car, and immediately realizes she’s bankrupt. What just happened?”