Job Interviews in IT and Unusual Questions
A job interview in IT is usually associated with questions about experience, knowledge of technologies, or algorithms. Sometimes, however, a recruiter will surprise you with a question so strange that you can’t help but wonder: “Is this still a job interview, or already a hidden camera prank?”
A real-life example: “What would you do if it turned out that in half an hour you had to leave Earth and go to Mars to present human technology to aliens?” – sounds absurd? And yet, such a question may actually be asked during recruitment! More and more companies are weaving unusual puzzles and scenarios into interviews. Why do they do this, and how can you handle such a situation without losing your footing?
In this article, you’ll find examples of the weirdest interview questions in the IT industry, explanations of the intentions behind them, and tips on how to prepare for and respond to them – with a touch of humor, but also professionalism.
Examples of Unusual IT Interview Questions
Here are some authentic (or legendary) questions that have left candidates baffled during job interviews in IT and related fields:
“How many golf balls can fit into a school bus?” – a classic recruitment puzzle (reportedly asked at Google), used to test out-of-the-box thinking and problem-solving skills.
“How many cows are there in Canada?” – a question used at Google to assess analytical ability when estimating with incomplete data.
“Explain to a five-year-old what a database is.” – sounds like a joke, but it’s been asked (e.g., to developer candidates). It checks your ability to simplify complex concepts and communicate with non-technical people.
“If you were an ice cream vendor, how many flavors would you introduce and why?” – an unusual question (asked at Baskin-Robbins) that tests creativity and product-development thinking. You need to invent flavors and justify your choice.
“What’s your favorite emoji and why?” – seemingly trivial, but asked in various companies. It reveals a bit about your personality and communication style.
“What superpower would you like to have?” – common in creative industries (e.g., advertising agencies). It helps assess imagination and values (e.g., invisibility vs. teleportation may suggest different traits).
“If you could be any fruit, which one would you be and why?” – absurd? Definitely. But such a question tests originality and your ability to justify even the strangest choices. Recruiters hope for answers that reveal personal traits (e.g., “I’d be an apple – a Polish classic: solid, healthy, and easy to get along with”).
“Tell me a joke.” – a tough one for many introverted programmers. It appears to assess your wit, sense of humor, and interpersonal skills – can you improvise and lighten the mood?
“Jeff Bezos walks into your office and offers you a million dollars to launch your best idea. What do you propose?” – a recruitment question straight out of Amazon. It tests entrepreneurship, vision, and the ability to pitch an innovative idea on the spot.
(Bonus) “In half an hour you must leave Earth and fly to Mars to showcase humanity’s technological achievements to aliens – what do you bring?” – a sci-fi style question that really was asked in an interview. What matters here is not what you answer, but how you approach it under time pressure and an abstract scenario.
The list of such odd questions is long – recruiter creativity knows no bounds. You may hear logical puzzles, personal-life questions (“Tell the story of your life in 3 minutes”), hypothetical movie-like scenarios, or seemingly simple riddles. So what’s the point of all this? Why do recruiters ask such unconventional questions?
Why Do Recruiters Ask Weird Questions (Intentions)
Unusual interview questions always serve a purpose. While they may seem absurd to the candidate, for the recruiter they are a valuable tool to assess various aspects of the applicant. Here are the main intentions behind strange questions:
Testing reaction to stress and uncertainty. The recruiter deliberately tries to throw the candidate off balance with a “cosmic” question to see how you behave when caught off guard. Will you panic, or will you keep your cool? Such a question is a simulation of a difficult situation – after all, unexpected problems and pressure also occur at work. More important than giving the correct answer is whether you can still think logically and remain composed despite the initial shock.
Assessing determination and problem-solving approach. Overcoming stress is one thing, but will you even attempt to answer a completely unexpected question? The recruiter wants to see if, under time pressure and uncertainty, you will take on the challenge – even if there’s no single right answer. Some candidates immediately give up (“I have no idea, let’s move on”), while others try to improvise and fight to come up with something meaningful. Initiative and effort to solve the problem matter, even if the answer isn’t perfect – what counts is not running away from the challenge.
Testing creativity and out-of-the-box thinking. In IT – especially in roles requiring problem-solving – creativity is priceless. Programming is, after all, a creative task: there are often no ready-made solutions, and you need to think beyond standard patterns to deal with a bug or a client’s requirement. By asking an abstract question, the recruiter wants to see if you can think outside the box. It’s also your chance to shine with inventiveness – to show you can find an unusual solution where others would give up.
Revealing true traits and cultural fit. Questions completely unrelated to everyday job tasks can strip away the mask of rehearsed answers and self-promotion. A surprising riddle exposes weaknesses but also brings out strengths that might not appear in typical questions. This way the recruiter can assess whether you have the competencies and personal qualities desired for the role. Such unconventional questions can therefore be a tool to verify whether the candidate is a good fit for the role and team – they can test creativity or analytical thinking, as well as personality traits. (For example: a sense of humor when telling a joke may suggest openness and ease in building relationships, while the way you handle a “Mars question” can show resilience under stress.)
How to Prepare for Weird Questions and How to Answer Them
Since it’s impossible to predict all the unusual questions you might face, how can you increase your chances of coming out on top? Here are some tips to help you handle the strangest interview scenarios and respond effectively:
Stay calm. Don’t panic or show nervousness when you hear an absurd question. For recruiters, your reaction is often more important than the answer itself. When caught off guard, take a deep breath, maintain eye contact, and smile – it shows composure and confidence.
Give yourself a moment to think. You don’t have to fire off an answer instantly. It’s okay to pause for a few seconds – recruiters know the question is unusual. You can even say: “Hmm, that’s an intriguing question – I’ve never thought about it before. Give me a second.” A short pause is better than a chaotic response driven by panic. If necessary, ask for clarification – it buys time and ensures you understand the question.
Reveal your thought process. In most weird questions, there isn’t a single “correct” answer, but the goal is to show how you think. So when you answer, always explain why. Talk aloud about your reasoning, assumptions, and associations. Example: if asked “What animal would you like to be?” and you say “a cat,” add that you value independence but can also be sociable – this justification shows you as a thoughtful candidate, not someone blurting out random answers.
Allow yourself a touch of humor. An unusual question is often a great chance to ease the atmosphere and demonstrate wit. Recruiters remember candidates who can crack a light joke (even at their own expense) in a tough moment. Of course, do this with tact – a clever or amusing response can score points, as long as it still conveys something meaningful about you. Humor signals that you can stay relaxed and think fast, qualities valued in IT teams.
Tailor your answer to the role. Even when answering something absurd, keep the job context in mind. Try to weave into your answer qualities or skills valuable for the position. For example, if asked about your favorite animal and you know teamwork is crucial, you might say you’d be a dog – loyal, collaborative, and friendly (but also resourceful in tracking down solutions 😉). Such an answer, despite the odd question, subtly shows you fit the role. It helps to prepare a short list of your strengths, achievements, and experiences before the interview – that way you can reference them even in quirky questions.
Be authentic and stay positive. For a question like “How many golf balls fit in a bus?” there is no one right answer. So don’t desperately try to guess the “perfect” reply. Instead, be yourself – show your genuine thought process and personality. The key is calmness, honesty, and logical reasoning. Treat the unusual situation as an opportunity to stand out, not as a trap set by the recruiter. Even if the question feels abstract, approach it as an intellectual challenge where you can shine.
Finally, remember – there’s nothing to fear! A recruiter asking an odd question isn’t an alien with a truth probe, but a person trying to get to know you better (sometimes in unconventional ways). Approach these questions with an open mind. If you stay composed and show creativity, you’ll come out of even the weirdest riddle with flying colors. Good luck with your interviews!