The expert spoke about competent behavior in interviews with strange questions.

HR managers sometimes ask unusual interview questions to test their creativity, stress tolerance, or just follow strange corporate traditions. Vladislav Bykhanov, Managing Partner of Cornerstone HR company, told how to respond to such issues on October 11.

The expert shared examples of strange questions that are sometimes asked at interviews.

"How many tennis balls will fit on a school bus?" is a popular question in IT and consulting. It supposedly tests analytical thinking. The purpose of such a question is to test the candidate's ability to think logically and solve non—standard tasks," he said in an interview with Gazeta.Ru».

However, according to Bykhanov, such questions can be replaced with a more realistic case related to the company's work.

Another popular question is "If you were an animal, what would you become?" He is often used to assess creativity, but his answer is not always related to the candidate's professional skills and can greatly influence the employer's decision, Bykhanov said.

Another unusual question: "What is your favorite horror movie and why?" — it may seem inappropriate for professionals who do not work in the film industry. But, according to Bykhanov, the interviewer wants to evaluate personal preferences and the ability to argue his point of view.

There are also questions like "With which hand do you open the refrigerator?" or "Describe the color blue for a blind person." According to the expert, these questions are often not directly related to professional competencies, but can be used to test a company's out-of-the-box thinking, stress tolerance, or cultural conformity.

"If you are asked such questions, then stay calm and professional. Try to understand exactly what the interviewer wants to know. Answer confidently, even if the question seems ridiculous. And if there is a clear violation of ethical standards, politely point it out. Finally, use the opportunity to demonstrate your flexibility of thinking," he recommended.

Bykhanov noted that strange interview questions are not an indicator of your failure as a candidate. If the question is too personal or unethical, you can always clarify its purpose or suggest a more relevant topic for discussion. After all, an interview is a two—way process, and a prospective employee also evaluates a potential employer, the specialist concluded.

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