The Fantasy Interview Question

At some time in the past   interviewers began asking what appear to be ridiculous interview questions.  An example might be: “Why are manhole covers round?”  This question would seem to be a good one because if covers were rectangular they could fall into the hole, but if covers were square they only fit in four possible ways.  A round cover fits in any position in the hole.

Now, let us look at a question I was asked in an interview.

Q: What would you do if you found yourself in a food blender and someone was about to turn it on?

You must be joking.  What possible skill might this question be attempting to tap?  Perhaps it means to see how creative I can be, but what research has been done to show such a question taps this creativity talent?

I had decided prior to the interview to examine such a question from its specific factors: in this case a blender.

My Answer:

“My son had been making smoothies with our blender.  One night I decided to make some chocolate milk for myself.  I poured in the milk and added miniature chocolate kisses from the Nestle’s bag I had.  The chocolate sank to the bottom, but I expected the blending action to chop it up.  It did not.  The milk was still white, and the chocolate remained at the bottom.

So,  I would turn myself into these chocolate chunks and sink to the safe place below the blades.  When the blending stops I will swim to the top and get out.”

There was silence for a brief moment and then the three interviewers were excited because my answer was the best they said they had ever heard!  Go figure.

So my advice to you is to think about the question you are asked and try to relate to the conditions imposed.