Hey there. Orianna here from Fortune.
It’s no secret that getting a new job is hard, with candidates constantly complaining about the endless hoops that recruiters are making them jump through to prove they’re the perfect match, from endless rounds of interviews to 90-minute tests and presentations.
But with fewer jobs and fiercer competition thanks to AI, interviews are about to get even tougher. Today, employers are getting creative and using curveball interview questions to separate the very best candidates from the pack.
At Bank of America, for example, just 2,000 recent graduates were hired from a pool of 200,000 applicants. And with more than 1.2 million applications submitted for fewer than 17,000 graduate roles in the U.K. alone last year, being prepared beyond the standard “what’s your biggest weakness?” could be the difference between landing an offer and quietly slipping into the rejection pile.
So, I’ve rounded up the top curveball make-or-break interview questions from CEOs currently shaping hiring decisions to help you get ahead of the “hiring nightmare” this year:
- Do you think we are in an AI bubble?
- Can you design a car for a deaf person?
- Do you have any questions for me?
- Can you start right away?
Find out exactly what these CEOs want to hear in response on Fortune.
Plus, it’s not just make-or-break interview questions job seekers should watch out for. There’s also sneaky coffee cup tests to contend with and more.
Essentially, hiring managers are watching what you do, as early as when you walk through the revolving doors and greet reception. They’re looking at how you treat staff before and after your interview, down to small details which could offer a glimpse into your core personality, like what you do with the mug you were drinking from.
Hint: Offering to clean it up will go down well.
And if you get taken on a breakfast or lunch interview, there’s a very real chance the hiring manager has asked the waiter to mess up your order, just to see your reaction.
—Orianna Rosa Royle
Success Associate Editor, Fortune
Have you encountered any strange interview tests? Or are you a hiring manager with an unusual interview red flag test or question? Get in touch: orianna.royle@fortune.com. You can also find me on Linkedin: @oriannarosa.
