You’ve thoroughly researched the company with whom you are to interview.  You know the names of its officers and members of its board of directors.  You’ve reviewed its financial reports and have read hundreds of press releases and articles about it.  You’ve even charted its stock price (if it’s a publicly-traded company) over the past twenty-four months.

 

You understand that the key to successful interviewing is marketing your talents and distinguishing yourself from your competitors.  You have a knack for promotions and wear to the interview a custom sweatshirt with your strengths embroidered on its front and back.

 

You have never been more prepared for an interview.  But, chances are that you are completely unprepared for most, if not all of the following actual interview questions!

 

How would you respond to the following?

 

If you could be an animal other than a human being, what animal would you choose to be and why?  (This question was purportedly asked by an interviewer for KPMG during an on-campus interview.  The interviewer indicated that there is one correct answer)

 

If you knew you would be stranded for an extended period on a deserted island and could bring only two books with you, which would they be?  (An age-old question asked at many interviews)

 

How many ridges are there around a quarter?  (Asked by an interviewer from Deloitte testing the candidate’s powers of observation)

 

Summarize what happened in this country over the past ten years.  (A query during an interview with Boston Consulting)

 

Given the numbers 1 to 1000, what is the minimum number of guesses needed to deduce a specific number if you are given the hint “higher” or “lower” for each guess you make? (A question reportedly asked in an interview with Facebook)

 

An apple costs 20 cents, an orange 40 cents, and a grapefruit costs 60 cents. How much is a pear?  (Reportedly from Epic Systems)

 

You have eight pennies. Seven have exactly the same weight, but one weighs less. You also have a judge’s (balance) scale.  How can you find the penny that weighs less in three steps?  (Reportedly from Intel)

 

What would you do if you just inherited a pizzeria from your uncle? (This question comes from Volkswagen)

 

You have a birthday cake and have exactly three slices to cut it into eight equal pieces.  How do you do it?  (A question posed by an interviewer from Blackrock Portfolio Management)

 

If you had 5,623 participants in a tournament, how many games would need to be played to determine the winner?  (A question posed by an interviewer from Amazon)

 

If you’re like most people, your head is probably spinning as you ponder the questions above.  Don’t worry, though.  The chances of being asked a question similar to one listed above are relatively slim.  Yet, I think if I were to be another member of the animal kingdom, I would choose to be a whale.  Now, why would I choose that?