Career Newsroom: 27% of Job Seekers Have Been Asked a Strange or Unusual Interview Question

Odds are that you’ve been asked one of these common interview questions. You may have even spent hours preparing and rehearsing polished answers to impress your potential employer. But what happens when an interviewer throws you a curveball and asks an off-the-wall question that catches you off guard?

According to an iHire survey of 445 job seekers conducted in August 2025, 27% of candidates have been asked a strange or unusual job interview question:

What do we mean by strange or unusual interview questions? Oftentimes, weird interview questions may be out-of-the-box but with a clear purpose.

For example, if an employer asks, “If you were a crayon, what color would you be and why?” they may be trying to assess your creativity, personality, and ability to think on your feet.

However, there’s a chance you’ll encounter an awkward interview question that has little or nothing to do with the role you’re applying for. In some cases, the question might actually be illegal to ask. For instance, questions revolving around age, gender, disability, race, marital status, and ethnicity are off limits (more on this later).

First, let’s look at some real-life examples of awkward interview questions submitted anonymously by our users.

13 Real-Life Stories About Strange Job Interview Questions

After we asked survey participants if they had ever been asked a strange job interview question, we gave those who responded, “yes,” the opportunity to elaborate. Here are some of their anecdotes and sample interview questions:  

1. “They asked, ‘What kitchen utensil would you be and why?’ While the question seems irrelevant in an interview, I think it’s a genius way to test a candidate’s critical and creative thinking and how they portray themselves. I answered, ‘I’d be a wide stainless-steel pan as it is multi-purpose to an extent, and cooks amazing food once it’s warmed up properly.’”

2. “How do you feel working for someone younger than you?”

3. “I spelled the company's name wrong on my cover letter… I sat down and the first question was, ‘Tell me about yourself other than you don't know how to spell the company's name.’”

4. “‘If you were a pizza topping, what would you be and why?’ I believe the question was meant to see how I think on my feet and not test my pizza knowledge... but it made me hungry for pizza.”

5. “Are you married with kids?”

6. “I was asked, ‘How is your humor?’ So, I answered:

‘Knock-knock.

Who’s there?

I’m better than.

I’m better than who?

Every other applicant you can offer the job now.’”

7. “I was asked how long I’ve been single. I asked how it relates to the job position.”

8. “If I had had an affair with a coworker.”

9. “‘If you were a kitchen appliance, which one would you be and why?’ I said, ‘A pressure cooker, because I can handle pressure well and get the job done faster than most other options.’”

10. “Are you a member of the LGBTQ community?”

11. “I was once asked, ‘What is something you don't want your employer to know about you?’ It caught me completely off guard. I responded with, ‘Sometimes, I can be a bit stubborn with how I want things to be done. I try to be more open minded and allow people to contribute or help me.’”

12. “The question was, ‘Why are you applying for this role, as it doesn’t align with your educational background?’ This question made me reflect on my own capabilities as a human being. I replied, “I believe that we are always capable of learning, growing, and exploring new fields. While my educational background may not directly align with this role, I’m confident in my ability to adapt and succeed...’”

13. “[They asked] my age and if I had kids.”

How to Respond to Odd Job Interview Questions

An oddball question or two doesn’t have to lead to an entirely bad job interview. With the right approach, you can turn these unexpected moments into a chance to stand out. Here's how to tackle even the most unusual interview questions with confidence.

1. Keep Your Cool and Buy Yourself Time

When faced with an odd question, resist the urge to blurt out the first thing that comes to mind. Take a deep breath and give yourself a moment to think.

It’s perfectly acceptable to say, “That’s an interesting question. Let me think about that for a moment.” This pause shows you’re thoughtful and composed under pressure. Use those seconds to organize your thoughts and choose a response that showcases your strengths.

2. Connect Your Answer to the Job

The best responses to unusual interview questions are tied back to the role you’re applying for. If asked which kitchen utensil you’d be, choose one whose qualities align with the job requirements, like one of our survey respondents did well in the above example.

3. Be Authentic, Not Necessarily Perfect

Resist the temptation to craft what you think is the perfect answer. Interviewers can usually spot rehearsed or overly polished responses. Instead, let your personality shine through while remaining professional.

4. Ask Clarifying Questions When Needed

If a question is confusing or too vague, don’t be afraid to ask for clarification. Saying, “Could you help me understand what you’re looking for with this question?” shows you want to provide a thoughtful response rather than stumbling through confusion.

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What to Do If You’re Asked an Illegal Job Interview Question

While there’s no harm being asked an out-of-the-box question if it relates to the position at stake, there’s a chance you could be asked a question that is inappropriate or even illegal. Here are some tips for handling illegal job interview questions:

1. Recognize What’s Illegal

Understand the types of questions that employers are not allowed to ask. As mentioned previously, these typically include inquiries about your age, race, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, or plans for having children. Knowing your rights can help you identify when a question crosses the line.

2. Stay Calm and Professional

If you’re asked an illegal question, avoid reacting emotionally or accusing the interviewer. Instead, remain composed and professional. This will help you navigate the situation gracefully.

3. Redirect the Conversation

You can tactfully steer the conversation back to your qualifications. For example, if asked about your marital status, you might say, “I’m fully committed to my career and excited about the opportunity to contribute to your team.”

4. Ask for Clarification

Sometimes, illegal questions are asked unintentionally or out of ignorance. Politely ask for clarification to give the interviewer a chance to reframe their question. For instance, “Could you clarify how this relates to the role?”

5. Decide How to Respond

You have a few options when faced with an illegal question:

• Answer the question if you’re comfortable doing so, but know you’re not obligated to.
• Decline to answer by saying something like, “I prefer to focus on my skills and experience as they relate to this role.”
• Address the intent behind the question. For example, if asked about your age, you might say, “I bring extensive experience and energy to this position.”

6. Evaluate the Employer

If an interviewer asks illegal questions, it could be a red flag about the company’s culture or practices. Consider whether this is an organization you’d want to work for.

7. Know Your Rights

If you feel the question was discriminatory, you can report it to the company’s HR department or, in serious cases, file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

More Interviewing Advice

Not every interview will come with strange or inappropriate questions, but you should always be ready to keep your cool and respond gracefully. Check out these related iHire resources to prepare for whatever types of interviews your job search brings:

Survey Methodology

iHire polled 445 candidates in August 2025. Surveys were fielded via iHire’s platform and shared with active job seeker users. Percentages are rounded to the nearest whole number.