Job Interview - Surprise Questions (page 1 of 2)	
Job Interview - Surprise Ques	tions	
SURPRISE JOB INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Some employers test your thinking skills by  surprising you with unusual interview questions
that have no right or wrong answers.   The interviewer wants to see if you can:  a) think under 
stress; b) think clearly; c) answer with a good reason.  Interviewers 
want to  know how you 
deal with an unexpected event because workers need to deal with unexpect
ed events on the job.  
Prepare for unexpected interview questions by reading the following four
 tips.
 
TIP #1 — Research the company website to learn about the company.  For example, 
if you are invited to Walmart for an interview, research by going to walmart.com, 
scroll to the bottom and click on "Our Company" and then "Careers."  Bef
ore a job 
interview with McDonald's, visit to mcdonalds.com, scroll to bottom and 
click "Our 
History" and "Careers."
TIP #2 — Write a list of your:   a) skills, b) volunteer jobs, and c) paid work 
experience jobs  that match the job opening description.  If the job description says 
"teamwork," write down examples of things you did in school clubs, sport
s, or on the 
job that required teamwork.  If the job description says "computer skill
s," write down your computer skills 
with names of software (such as Word and Excel).
TIP #3 — Practice your answers to common interview questions with a friend.  Common interview 
questions are:  Tell me about yourself.  Why should we hire you?  What are your strengths?  What is your 
weakness?  Why do you want this job?  Answer these questions with your hard skills (woodworking, 
drafting, auto repair, computer skills),  academic skills (special classes such as debate and music,  and job 
training certificates earned), and  soft skills (dependable, accurate, team worker, enjoy learning, organized).  
TIP #4 — Practice your answers to surprise interview questions such as the following —
SURPRISE QUESTION  —  "WHAT IF" 
If you could have dinner with a famous person in history, who would you like to have 
dinner with and why?   
You can select a historical person who will teach you something — Abraham Lincoln (to 
learn about the Civil War), Neil Armstrong (to learn about space and the moon), Walt Disney  (to learn about starting a company). 
If you were part of a bicycle, what would it be and why?  
Select a part of a bicycle that works as a team with other parts (gear, wheels, handle bars).  
Or, "I would like to be the oil because I enjoy helping all parts work tog
ether smoothly. 
If you could talk to a famous person, who would you choose and why?   
You may select famous sports star (Cristiano Ronaldo or Serena Williams to talk about professional sports), 
business leader (Jeff Bezos, Oprah Winfrey to learn what it takes to be successful) or entertainment leader
 
(Steven Spielberg or George Lucas to learn about movies).  Do not choose controversial persons s
uch as 
Joe Biden or Donald Trump who may irritate the interviewer.

College & Career Publishing.  Permission to use with usworkworld.com subscription.  	Job Interview - Surprise Questions (page 2 of 2)	
QUICK CHECK:
1. List 3 things the interviewer wants to see.  
2.  a) What do interviewers want to know?  
  b) Why?
3.  Why do you research the company website?
4.   a) To research McDonald's, where do you visit? 
  c) On what 2 things do you click?
5.  a) For Tip #2 — Of what do you write a list?
  b) If the job says "computer skills," what do 
you write down? 
6.  Give an example of:  a) Hard skill.  
  b) Academic skill.  c) Soft skill.
WHAT IF QUESTIONS
7.  What can these historic people teach you:  
  a) Abraham Lincoln?  b) Neil Armstrong?  
  c) Walt Disney?  
8.  If you had dinner with a famous person in 
  history, who would you select and why?
9.  a) List a bicycle part that works as a team with 
other parts.  b) What does oil do? 
10.  If you were part of a bicycle, what part would 
you be and why? 11. 
What can these famous people teach you:
  a) Cristiano Ronaldo?  b) Jeff Bezos?
12.  If you could talk to a famous person, who 
would you select and why?
13.  Who do you select to answer the question, 
"Who had the most influence on your life?"
14.  Give an example of what to say to answer the 
question, "What makes you special?"
15.  Using your opinion, answer the question, "If 
you were a brand, what would your motto be?"
16.  Write down what you can say to answer the 
question, "What do you do when you disagree 
with a coworker?"
17.  Give an example of saying something positive, 
then saying something nicely negative to 
  answer the question, "What is something you 
did not like about your last job?"   
18.  Write down an answer to the question, "Tell me 
how you dealt with a difficult teacher."
19.  a) Are you ready to answer surprise job 
  interview questions?  b) Give a reason for your 
answer.
SURPRISE QUESTION — YOUR PERSONALITY
•  Who had the most influence on your life?    —  Select an adult family member or 
friend who taught you something useful for the work world such as how to
 work as a 
team on something, leadership, empathy (understanding others), or good
 work habits.  
•  What makes you special?  —  Talk about your positive personality — I am a       
self-starter and do what is needed without being told.  People know they
 can trust me because I am a 
dependable person.  I enjoy working with people.  People like to talk to
 me because they know that I 
can be trusted to not share their private information with others.  
•  If you were a brand, what would your motto be? — "Life is for learning," or "Jason understands and 
likes you," or "You can depend on Jason."  
•  What is better, a cat or a dog?  List good things about both, then say which you like.
SURPRISE QUESTION — SITUATIONS
•  What do you do when you disagree with a coworker?  —  I meet with the coworker and ask to talk 
in a private place.  I  listen to make sure I understand my coworker's opinion.  I  keep talking with the 
coworker to find a solution that we agree on together.
•  What is something you did not like about your last job?  —  Say something positive: I learned a lot 
on my last job.   Say something nicely negative:   There was no opportunity for a promotion or - I want 
a job in a better restaurant (or store) - or - I want to learn more an
d different skills.
•  Tell me how you dealt with a difficult teacher in high school.  —  Describe the 
problem: My science teacher did not answer our questions about the homework 
clearly.  Describe your solution: I organized a study group with others in my class 
so that we could study together to understand the homework.