In an effort to gauge a prospective employees fit within the companys culture, hiring managers often pose odd interview questions. Following are examples of odd interview questions per a Robert Half International poll:

"If you were having a dinner party and could invite three famous people, who would they be?"
"What's the last book you read?"
"What did you want to be when you were 10 years old?"
"What classes did you like in high school?"
"What would I find in your refrigerator?"
If you could be any animal what would you be?

Be prepared to answer odd questions during an interview. What the hiring manager is seeking is an insight into your personality and interests. This helps the interviewer determine if you would mesh well with the team. Following are tips for handling odd interview questions:

Formulate your answer. Take time to compose your thoughts before answering the question. Ask for clarification if you are not sure what the hiring manager is looking for.

Be optimistic. Odd interview questions lend themselves well to humorous responses. Just be careful not to answer every question with a joke. Doing so may give the interviewer the impression that you are not taking the interview seriously.

Maintain your composure. Sometimes the point of asking odd interview questions is to assess your ability to remain calm. Remember your delivery maintain eye contact and answer confidently. The interviewer will be taking note of how you formulate your responses to get a sense for your thought process.

Resist the urge to give up. Being the recipient of odd interview questions can be difficult and frustrating. Dont give up, even if you think the interview isnt going well. The interviewer may have a different impression of how the interview is going. Or, they may be aware of another job opening within the company for which you are a better fit.

The key to success in handling odd interview questions is to provide honest, thoughtful responses while maintaining your composure.

Hilary Basile is a writer for MyGuidesUSA.com. At MyGuidesUSA.com http://www.myguidesusa.com , you will find valuable tips and resources for handling lifes major events. Whether youre planning a wedding, buying your first home, anxiously awaiting the birth of a child, contending with a divorce, searching for a new job, or planning for your retirement, youll find answers to your questions at MyGuidesUSA.com.

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