“If you could throw a parade of any caliber through the Zappos office, what type of parade would it be?” 

How are you supposed to reply to such an off-the-wall interview question? Do you even want this job? Someone applying for a position with the Zappos Family as a customer loyalty teammember was faced with such a quandary; the question is number one on Glassdoor.com’s list of “Top 25 Oddball Interview Questions for 2014.”

Glassdoor.com’s team of data scientists compiled this list, which is not in any particular order, based on questions shared during the past 12 months as part of the Interview Reviews feature on Glassdoor. This feature, which is free to use, offers insights into the interview process including the interview format, how the interview was achieved, the average interview length and overall ratings regarding the interview experience. Glassdoor has collected nearly 1 million interview questions and reviews from around the world. To develop the list, they take into account community feedback, such as questions tagged as “brainteasers” and compile questions job candidates shared on their site over the past year.

Glassdoor’s Top 25 Oddball Interview Questions for 2014:

1. “If you could throw a parade of any caliber through the Zappos office, what type of parade would it be?” – The Zappos Family, Customer Loyalty Team Member interview

2. “How lucky are you and why?” – Airbnb, Content Manager interview

3. “If you were a pizza delivery man, how would you benefit from scissors?” – Apple, Specialist interview

4. “If you could sing one song on American Idol, what would it be?” – Red Frog Events, Event Coordinator interview

5. “Are you more of a hunter or a gatherer?” – Dell, Account Manager interview

6. “If you were on an island and could only bring three things, what would you bring?” – Yahoo,Search Quality Analyst interview

7. “If you were a box of cereal, what would you be and why?” – Bed Bath & Beyond, Sales Associate interview

8. “Do you believe in Bigfoot?” – Norwegian Cruise Line, Casino Marketing Coordinatorinterview

9. “Why is a tennis ball fuzzy?” – Xerox, Client Manager interview

10. “What is your least favorite thing about humanity?” – ZocDoc, Operations Associateinterview

11. “How would you use Yelp to find the number of businesses in the U.S.?” – Factual, Software Engineer interview

12. “How honest are you?” – Allied Telesis, Executive Assistant interview

13. “How many square feet of pizza are eaten in the U.S. each year?” – Goldman Sachs,Programmer Analyst interview

14. “Can you instruct someone how to make an origami ‘cootie catcher’ with just words?” – LivingSocial, Consumer Advocate interview

15. “If you were 80 years old, what would you tell your children?” – McKinsey & Company, Associate interview

16. “You’re a new addition to the crayon box, what color would you be and why?” – Urban Outfitters Sales Associate interview

17. “How does the internet work?” – Akamai, Director interview

18. “If there was a movie produced about your life, who would play you and why?” – SinglePlatform, Inside Sales Consultant interview

19. “What’s the color of money?” – American Heart Association, Project Manager interview

20. “What was the last gift you gave someone?” – Gallup, Data Analyst interview

21. “What is the funniest thing that has happened to you recently?” – Applebee’s,Bartender/Neighborhood Expert Server interview

22. “How many snow shovels sold in the U.S. last year?” – TASER, Leadership Development Program interview

23. “It’s Thursday; we’re staffing you on a telecommunications project in Calgary, Canada on Monday. Your flight and hotel are booked; your visa is ready. What are the top five things you do before you leave?” – ThoughtWorks, Junior Consultant interview

24. “Describe to me the process and benefits of wearing a seatbelt.” – Active Network, ClientApplications Specialist interview

25. “Have you ever been on a boat?” – Applied Systems, Graphic Designer interview

Before you freak out at the thought of answering one of these oddball questions, keep in mind that most employers will stick to the more traditional, “Why should we hire you” and “What is your biggest weakness” type of interview question. Be prepared to explain why you are a good fit for the job.

Stay tuned for specific tips later this week just in case you face one of these eclectic inquiries at your next interview.

What are some of the strangest questions you’ve been asked on an interview? Comment below.

Originally appeared on AOLJobs.com

The post Crazy interview questions appeared first on Keppie Careers.

Interviewing is really an art as much as it is a science. Being successful depends on a combination of preparation, know-how and the ability to connect with the audience. Something most job seekers don’t consider – your interviewer HOPES you are the best candidate for the job. Think about it – who wants to interview and interview and never find a great fit for the job?

Some ideas to help turn your interviewer into a FAN!

1. Convince yourself that the interviewer really WANTS to hire you.
The fact is, it is tough to hire a quality employee. I can say from experience that your interviewer hopes that you WOW him or her with your answers and give fabulous reasons to hire you.  In essence, the interviewer is rooting for you!

2. Know what to say. 
Prepare in advance.  A lot.  No, you don’t have to memorize answers to 100 interview questions, but be sure that you spend time thinking and practicing what you will say in response to topics that will come up:

• Think of your key points (as they relate to how you fit into the job).  These points are your message.  They answer the question:  Why should we hire you?
• Create several stories that illustrate your points and describe how you are able to fill the organization’s needs.  Stories should demonstrate successes, a time you overcame obstacles and examples of how you interact with colleagues and employers. Use the STAR technique to describe these situations.
• Incorporate the fact that you’ve conducted research on the organization, their goals, values, accomplishments and needs in your answers.  Your interviewer will be happy to know that you spent some time on the organization’s website or reading up on them.  It’s flattering to know that you’re interested enough in the job to prepare.  Interviewers love prepared candidates.

3. Listen carefully and answer the question. 
You won’t believe how many candidates reply to a direct question without actually answering it.  It can be a little painful for the interviewer.  Ask for clarification if necessary, even think for a few seconds before replying.  (Not too many seconds, though.)  If you don’t answer the question, you’ll lose your fan.

4. Don’t keep talking and talking (and talking)…
There is no quicker way to lose your audience than by droning on and on before you get to the point.  If it doesn’t seem that you’re getting to the point, you will lose your audience quickly.  Even if you do (eventually) answer the question, your interviewer will be busy making mental notes about what to pick up for dinner by the time you get to the point.  Be succinct.  Your interviewer will love it!

5. Follow Up
Send a thank you note.  It matters.

If you follow these tips, you’ll increase the likelihood of keeping a fan on the other side of the interview table.  That fan is much more likely to become a colleague if they like you as much when you leave the room as they did when they invited you to interview!  It’s in your hands – interview to seal the deal and GET THE JOB!

Stay tuned for some additional tips from Keith Ferrazzi!

photo by woodlywonderworks

The post 5 tips to interview to land the job appeared first on Keppie Careers.