Interviews are one of the most common forms of interaction that take place between a candidate and an employer. It can also take place between a student and a teacher. However, most people feel that some questions asked during the interview rounds are quite awkward and are sometimes unanswerable. Here, let’s see some Awkward Interview Questions.
But why do interviewers ask awkward questions to the candidates? Well, there could be various reasons as to why interviewers ask stupid and awkward questions at the same time. If you are going for an interview for a job that you have always dreamt of working for and during the interview rounds you are asked such awkward questions, then what should you do?
Well, there is nothing you can do because, in the end, your answers will decide whether you are capable of the job or not. Therefore, even if the interview questions seem the most awkward ones, try to answer them as clearly as possible. Mentioned below are some of the examples of awkward questions that are frequently asked in an interview.
Examples of awkward questions
- Tell us everything about yourself.
Ans: As simple as the questions sound, it is difficult to answer while you are in front of the interviewer. You do not have much time to think about yourself, and yet you have to answer it most briefly.
But, how will you answer such questions because you do not have all day to think about yourself. Well, to tackle such kinds of questions, you have to come prepared before the interview just like you come prepared for your examinations.
Write down notes and major points about your life and your achievements, education, and other such kinds of things and learn them. Whenever you are asked such types of questions, then you can say the things that you have learned, and everything becomes so much easier.
- What do you think makes you weak?
Ans: The question itself is so incomplete, and that is what makes it so awkward. But, this question can be asked in the other way around where you might be asked about only your weaknesses.
However, this is one of the most difficult questions that you can ever come across in case you do not come prepared for the interview. Your answers will be judged by the interview to know more about you which will help them place you in the organization.
So, you cannot just skip the question if it is a job interview. Be careful while answering such questions because you do not want to give nonsense answers to the interviewer.
- Why did you choose this job and company?
Ans: Well, this is quite an awkward question to ask because you chose this job because you are interested in the job. The interviewer will still ask you such questions because it is their choice to ask such questions, and you just have to answer them.
These types of questions become quite difficult to answer sometimes because why would you want to work for a company? Well, it is because you want to earn money and gain experience at your work. Most people feel uncomfortable when such types of questions are asked to them during the interview.
Still, when you are at the interview, you just cannot avoid or ignore such types of questions because you have to answer them. The interviewer will judge your answer and will see how interested you are in the job. When your interview is over, the same question can be asked to other candidates as well.
- Why should you be hired for this role?
Ans: This question is almost as awkward as the previous one ‘why did you choose this job and company.’ Well, this question ranks at the fourth position not because it is less awkward than the other ones, but because it is quite uncomfortable to answer.
Interviewers should already have an idea of why you have opted for this role, and still, it would be meaningless to ask the candidates once again. However, this does not mean you can ignore or just skip to the next question because it is not an online exam where you will get such kinds of options.
Be careful while answering such kinds of questions because, in the end, it is a matter of getting employed in the organization. Therefore, the only solution that you can come up with is to prepare yourself for the question before the interview.
Keep in mind why you have applied for the job, and you just have to simply tell them about it when you are asked this question. So, keep calm and relax for the interview.
- What amount of salary are you looking for?
Ans: Whether you are a fresh candidate or an experienced employee, whenever you are asked about your expectations regarding the payment, then you will feel a little awkward while answering it. Even if you mention a certain amount, the employers will fix an amount that they feel most suitable.
Well, then, what is the point of asking such questions? There have to be some thoughts behind asking such types of questions. If you are not asked such types of questions, then your luck has been good because it is difficult to answer such awkward questions to the interviewer.
- Is there anything that you would like to ask us?
Ans: This might not be a difficult question but still, what will be there to ask the interviewer after being interviewed. These types of questions are asked, especially at the end of the interview sessions. The main reason why this question is asked is that whether or not you have some doubts regarding the company or any other such kinds of things.
This is one of the questions in the list that you can skip because if you do not have anything to question about, then what are you going to ask? Well, still, it is pretty awkward for some interviewees because they already know so much about the company than what will be there for them to question.
But, this does not mean even if you have questions in your mind that you want to ask the interviewer, then you should ask them right away. This will help clear your misconceptions if there are any.
- Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
Ans: One of the most awkward questions that you will ever come across is ‘where do you see yourself in five years?’ Well, have you thought about what you will be doing in the upcoming years? If you have thought about it, then that’s well and good because if such questions are asked, you can answer them.
The question becomes awkward in the sense that even if you have plans for yourself, why will you let it out in front of others? Most people find it awkward only because of this reason, and there is no point in asking such kinds of questions and making the candidate feel awkward about it.
But, all in all, it is good to have an aim in life because that way you can have a certain direction in your life. But, it is not something that someone else should ask about.
Conclusion
In the end, there are several ways to avoid such types of questions because there is no other way than to answer them. So, this is why you have to come prepared with answers. So, if you have got an interview coming up recently, then do prepare some of the most awkward questions that you can come across because who knows, you might be asked about it in the interview.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why do interviewers ask awkward questions to the candidates?
Ans: Interviewers ask awkward questions because they check whether you are the most suitable candidate for the job or not. They will match your answers with other candidates to see how good a fit you are for the company. If interviewers are continuously asking you questions that are making you uncomfortable to answer, then it is because they are testing your critical and analytical thinking.
- What are some inappropriate questions that shouldn’t be asked?
Ans: Some of the most inappropriate questions are as the following:
- What is your age
- What are your race and your ethnicity
- Mention your marital status
- Do you have any children
- What is your religion
- What to do when you are asked an inappropriate question?
Ans: You can react accordingly to the inappropriate question that is asked to you. You can say, ‘Why would you ask such a rude question?’ or anything similar to that. Sometimes inappropriate questions are asked by the interviewer so that they can judge your attitude.
- Should interviewers ask personal questions?
Ans: Personal questions should not be asked to the candidates. It is quite inappropriate to ask someone personal life questions. Interviewers should keep in mind their limitations in asking questions to the candidates. Some questions need to be avoided because not all candidates will be comfortable answering personal questions.
