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Fun interview questions?

Guys, doesn't this sound like a load of … you know… bull?An oxymoron, even. Like a pleasant root canal.

A bunch of people over at Everest College say job interviews are fear-inducing. And get this … this is actually based on solid research.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

The thing is … it’s your job as the recruiter to create a fun and relaxing environment.  It helps calm the nerves, and you get to know the candidate better.

Asking canned interview questions like “tell me about yourself” is at best ineffective.

(Somebody, kill this question already!)

They’ll just regurgitate what they’ve been rehearsing all week. After all, interviews are all about putting on a performance.

We have a bunch of questions to ask that can actually make an interview a more enjoyable and meaningful experience for everyone.

Contents

Best - #Best

Best

Get to know - #Get-to-know

Get to know

Personal - #Personal

Personal

Manager - #Manager

Manager

Phone - #Phone

Phone

Hypothetical - #Hypothetical

Hypothetical

Funny - #Funny

Funny

Interesting - #Interesting

Interesting

Weird - #Weird

Weird

Ice Breaker - #Ice-Breaker

Ice Breaker

Unique - #Unique

Unique

Group - #Group

Group

Downloadable List- #Downloadable-List

Downloadable/Printable List

Initiate - #Initiate

How to Pick

FAQs - #FAQs

More Questions

10 Best Interview Questions That Will Get You To The Right Person

The rock star candidate you’ve all been waiting for is finally here.

They’re visibly nervous. And you’re stressed … probably because you desperately want them to be the right fit.

We’ll help you get off on the right foot with our list of fun questions to ask candidates during an interview.

1. On A Scale Of 1-10, How lucky do you think you are?

How often are they prepared to grab opportunities when they arise?

2. When You’re Having A Bad Day, What Do You Do To Make Yourself Feel Better?

Are they self-aware and can they keep their emotions in check?

3. Who would win a fight between Spiderman and Batman?

This is a personality probe. This gives the candidate an opportunity to show some humor and connect with you.

4. How would you convince someone to do something they didn’t want to do?

Are they persuasive without denigrating other team members?

5. What do you work toward in your free time?

Do they like playing chess? Maybe they’re critical thinkers.

6. How would you rate your memory?

Does the job require an excellent memory recall?

7. Teach me something I don’t know in the next five minutes.

Can they think on their feet?

8. What’s Your Dream Job?

Does their dream job line up with the job they’re auditioning for?

9. If you could trade places with any other person for a week, famous or not, living or dead, real or fictional, with whom would it be?

Do the traits of the person they pick align with what you’re looking for?

10. Are you a hunter or a gatherer?

Does the job require a hunter or a gatherer?

20 Best Topics To Ask An Applicant To Know Them Better

The candidate has a resume so good it might as well have been printed on solid gold. But the goal is to feel that you genuinely connected with the person beyond their iron … (err, gold) … clad resume.

You want to know what they’re really like.

Our collection of “get to know you questions” will help you do just that.

11. What do you want to be when you grow up?

Do your career goals align with the job?

12. What are you known for?

What is their strongest quality?

13. Teach me something I don’t know in the next five minutes.

A curve ball to test their creativity.

14. If you had to change your name, what would your new name be, and why would you choose that name?

Can they think on their feet and argue out a point?

15. If You Could Choose Your Own Nickname, What Would It Be?

Can they get silly and have some fun?

16. What Song Do You Have To Sing Along With When You Hear It?

What inspires them?

17. What is the most interesting thing about your nature?

Are they interesting and well rounded?

18. Skill, talent, and money – Which one would you choose among these 3?

Are they here for the money?

19. What is the best compliment you have ever been told?

What good traits have others seen in them?

20. Are you someone who is an introvert or an extrovert? Or, an ambivert?

Whatever they choose should align with the position they’re applying for.

21. What’s The First Thing You Do When You Get Home From A Trip?

Do they travel a lot? And do they follow a routine?

22. Would You Rather Have More Time Or More Money?

Is money their first priority when making a career change?

23. It’s Saturday Morning. What’s The First Thing You Do When You Wake Up?

What do they value in life outside of work?

24. What’s Something About You That People Would Be Surprised To Know?

What can they tell you about themselves that’s not on their CV?

25. If You Had To Describe Yourself Using Three Words, It Would Be…

Are they authentic and self-aware?

26. What are your greatest professional strengths?

See how they see themselves and what they perceive as a real positive to their work.

27. What do you consider to be your weaknesses?

Find out if they're honest, straightforward, and a good judge of themselves.

28. What motivates you?

You want to know this now so you can use it if you hire them.

29. What are your hobbies?

You can tell a lot about someone but what they do for joy in their free time.

30. What is your management style?

You need this to match your own vision, or it's just not going to work.

17 Best Personal Things To Ask An Applicant

Personality plays a big role in the workplace. It’s more important than skills.

You see… skills can be taught. We can’t say the same for personality.

The candidate’s personality will shine through when asked the right personal questions. We have some fun personal interview questions for you.

31. When You’re Having A Bad Day, What Do You Do To Make Yourself Feel Better?

Will they let their emotions get in the way of their job?

32. What was the last gift you gave someone?

Are they smart, thoughtful, and generous?

33. What is the funniest thing that has happened to you recently?

Do they have a sense of humor?

34. Which two organizations outside your own do you know the most people at and why?

Do they network with other people in the industry outside their workplace?

35. If Your Life Was A Movie, What Songs Would Be On The Soundtrack?

What lights a fire in their hearts?

36. If You Had to Live in A Different State, What Would It Be?

Helps you figure out their interests and passions

37. If You Could Shop for Free At One Store, Which One Would You Choose?

Everyone has a favorite.

38. Have you done anything daring ever?

Do they take risks?

39. What do you do in your spare time?

Do they have hobbies that might affect their work positively or negatively?

40. Do you have any weird hobby?

A great opportunity for some comic relief.

41. If You Could Marry A Fictional Character, Who Would It Be and Why?

Figure out what kind of values they admire.

42. Why did you leave your last job?

If there was problem, this is a good way to sniff it out.

43. What are your goals in personal life?

This tells you where and how work fits into their life as a whole.

44. What are the decisions that are most difficult for you?

Knowing where they struggle helps you guide them.

45. What kind of relationship and atmosphere do you prefer to maintain with colleagues and subordinates?

We live in an age where you have to be a friendly but not too friendly colleague.

46. How do you plan and organize?

Chaos can work in some jobs; in others it dooms a whole team to failure.

47. How do you define success and how do you measure it?

How they approach success in life tells you how they'll approach success for your business.

19 Best Things To Ask The Right Managerial Candidate

Hiring a manager?

You want to focus on questions that bring out their leadership qualities. Our collection of interview questions for manager will enable you to identify a star player for your organization.

48. Do You Feel Like A Leader Or A Follower?

Can they take up a leadership position?

49. Any advice for your previous boss?

Do they have anything good to say about them?

50. Pretend you’re our CEO. What three concerns about the firm’s future keep you up at night?

Do they understand the organization and its vision?

51. What do you do when someone passes a bad remark about you?

How do they handle conflict at the workplace?

52. How do you approach a stranger?

Are they confident? And can they work in marketing?

53. Are you health conscious or weight conscious?

Find out something about their self-image.

54. How do you tackle difficult situations?

Do they have the right temperament?

55. Have you ever scolded anyone?

What’s their management style and how do they handle challenging interpersonal situations?

56. How willing were you to grow up quickly?

Are they independent thinkers?

57. What do you want to learn as soon as you can?

Find out if they have aspirations to grow and learn?

58. What is the secret of your successful life?

This will give you a sense of the candidates work ethic, goals, and overall personality.

59. Are You A Listener Or A Talker?

Can they work well in a team?

60. Describe a time when your team managed to achieve ambitious goals you set. How did you support and motivate them?

They need to have stories like this to prove they are deserve the job.

61. Imagine you’re assigned an important task but your team members keep interrupting you with questions. How do you complete the task, and how do you respond to your team?

In other words, how do you manage a meeting?

62. Would you rather know a lot about a little or a little about a lot?

Philosophical, but it speaks to their curiosity and their comfort with "need to know" projects.

63. How do you manage stress among your team members?

Work = stress, and a manager has to handle that for everyone.

64. How do you handle conflict between team members?

Get to know if this person talks it out or runs away from it.

65. How do you delegate tasks to your team?

By ability? By personality? By favoritism? Get a taste for how they handle this now.

66. What was the biggest failure you had in your most recent role? Prior 2-3 roles? How did you respond to the situation? What did you learn?

Managers have to handle setbacks, can this person?

16 Best Topics To Ask Applicants Over The Phone

Vetting candidates over the phone prior to arranging an in real life meeting saves a ton of time and money. But to be effective, you need to ask the right questions.

Sounds tough, huh?

Don’t sweat it. We have your back. Check out our collection of fun phone interview questions.

67. Is there any product that you never leave your house without?

The one thing they cannot live without gives you a sneak peek into their personality.

68. What is your perception of love and life?

Do they have a family or do they intend to have one?

69. What is the most interesting thing about the internet?

Great way to build rapport with the candidate. It can steer the conversation to unexpected places.

70. Which is your favorite quote?

Who inspires them and why?

71. What would you do if you won the lottery?

What’s their attitude towards money? Would they quit if they suddenly landed a windfall?

72. Are you an adventurous person?

Are they willing to take risks by venturing into the unknown?

73. Do you love your complexion?

Do they have insecurities about their looks?

74. Have you ever gifted yourself anything?

Do they set goals and reward themselves after reaching them?

75. What is the most amusing thing in your life?

Great ice breaker.

76. What type of work environment do you prefer?

It needs to match up with the environment on offer.

77. How would you describe yourself?

It's open-ended and gets right at the heart of who you're talking to.

78. Why are you looking for a job?

Do they just get restless in a position? Find out here.

79. Why do you want to work here?

Find out how much they know about your company...and how much they like what they know.

80. Do you have any questions?

Turn the tables and give them a chance to take over.

81. What is the most important part of this position?

Cut right to where they see the priorities for the job.

82. What is your greatest professional achievement?

Their choice tells you more about what they prioritize in work.

15 Best Hypothetical Topics To Ask During Hiring Process

Let me guess… you want to find out if a prospective employee can think on their feet, huh?

Asking hypothetical questions is one way to go about it. It lays bare their analytical and people skills.

83. Say you are dead — what would your eulogy say about you?

What are their notable achievements?

84. Would you rather be deaf or blind?

Put their critical thinking skills to the test.

85. Would you rather forget who you were or who everyone else was?

Timely for when the interview gets monotonous.

86. If you could really sell your soul to the devil, what would you sell it for?

Do they have a price?

87. I am something people buy. They all buy me to eat me, but actually never eat me what am I?

A riddle a day keeps the anxiety away …

88. If you got to choose between fifty years of being incredibly happy or to live forever and be unhappy what would you choose?

Do they value longevity over happiness at the workplace?

89. If a genie offered you 3 wishes, what would you wish for?

What are their hearts greatest desire?

90. Would you rather have to say everything that comes to your mind or never say anything again?

What’s their personality type? Are they reserved or confrontational?

91. If it had to always be daytime or always nighttime, which would you pick, and why?

A great way to keep the conversation going.

92. If you could go back and be any age you want for a month, what would you choose?

What’s their most outstanding memory?

93. Describe a situation where you need to work with a difficult manager.

Can this person work with difficult people?

94. Describe a situation when you need to convince others to change their decision.

There's a line between debate and argument. Are they on the right side?

95. Describe a situation when you require taking an initiative.

Are they ready to step up or will they back off and just collect a paycheck?

96. Describe a situation where you adapt new environment easily.

How well will they handle the changes on this job?

97. Describe a time when you had too many to do items on your list. How did you solve the problem?

Every day they'll have too much to do. How will they handle it?

19 Best Funny Things To Ask Applicants

You want the interview to be fun and relaxed. What better way than to ask funny interview questions?

Funny questions can help you build a strong professional bond with the prospective employee.

98. Who's the cutest Disney Princess you know?

Pay attention to the values highlighted by the character they choose.

99. Why are manholes round?

Test their creative problem-solving skills.

100. You’ve been given an elephant. You can’t give it away or sell it. What would you do with it?

Throw in a curve ball and see how they deal with it.

101. If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be and why?

Can they hold their own when you throw them a curve ball?

102. If you won $10 million and had to spend it in 5 days, what would you buy? aside from going to an eat-all-you-can restaurant?

What would they do if they had all the money in the world? This highlights their character.

103. What is the most embarrassing thing you have ever worn?

A bit of comic relief…

104. What’s the most ridiculous fact you know?

A flat-out bizarre question to spice up the interview.

105. What is the funniest joke you know by heart?

If they have a good sense of humor, then you should have a bit of fun with this one.

106. What is the funniest corporate / business screw up you have heard of?

Faux pars are a dime a dozen in the corporate world.

107. What’s the first thing you do when you are bored?

What’s the one thing that always puts a smile on their face?

108. What do you think of garden gnomes?

One of those phone interview questions that will always get a chuckle.

109. If you ran away and joined the circus, what would your performance be?

It's funny, but you'll know if they're creative or bold by the answer.

110. Why do tennis balls have that yellow fuzz on them?

See how well they speculate, all while having a chuckle.

111. If you were a brand, what would your motto be?

Since they'll represent your brand, you want an answer here.

112. How would you sell ice cream in Antarctica?

A great one for people who are interviewing for a sales position.

113. What would your first steps be in a zombie apocalypse?

How well do they handle a crisis...even a ridiculous one?

114. If I were to hire you for this job and I granted you three promises with regard to working here, what would they be?

Get at what they need from you to be a success in the job.

115. Teach me something I don’t know in the next five minutes.

Test their ability to think on their feet.

116. Describe the color yellow to somebody who is blind.

Get at their out-of-the-box thinking skills here.

13 Best Interesting Hiring Topics To Ask

Boring interviews: they happen.

As a recruiter, it’s perfectly normal to have an off day. Your mind wanders, and you can’t piece together interesting questions to keep the candidate engaged.

But this is no excuse to deliver a dull-as-dishwater interview. Our list of interesting interview questions is just what the doctor ordered.

117. What would you name your boat if you had one?

Throw a spanner in the works when their answers seem rehearsed.

118. What’s a body part that you wouldn’t mind losing?

A great way to test their decision making. They’ll have to choose between a rock and a hard place many time in their career.

119. If You Were Told You Only Had One Week Left To Live, What Would You Do?

What are the things that really matter to them?

120. If you could fight with one fictional character, then who would be that person?

“Choose your opponent carefully …. Fight!” Did they pick a villain or a hero? Says a lot about them.

121. What are the 3 things you want to do before your death?

What are their top 3 goals?

122. Which superpower would you like to have?

What “superpower” would they be bringing on board if they got the job?

123. Where would you go in a time machine?

Are they interested in history?

124. Is there intelligent life in outer space?

A great opportunity to pick their brains.

125. As of right now, if you were to die, what would you leave me in your last will and testament?

This one is sure to get them laughing…

126. How many balls would fit into this room?

Focus on the logic behind their answer. Hint – there’s no right answer.

127. What is your philosophy towards your work?

The word "philosophy" makes this far more thought provoking...and interesting.

128. If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?

They're letting you know about their dreams and their insecurities.

129. If you could be any character in fiction, whom would you be?

A unique way to get at the "favorite book" answer.

17 Best Weird Topics To Ask When Hiring

Balking at the idea of asking weird interview questions? Our tried and tested fun but weird questions will change your mind.

130. What’s the most useless talent you have?

Find out the one thing they are good at that they don’t think Is valuable?

131. Has anyone ever forced you to a job?

How strong-willed are they?

132. Does life fascinate you?

Do they face life with enthusiasm?

133. How do you weigh an elephant without using a weight machine?

See how well they handle this…

134. How would you get an elephant into a refrigerator?

Just like the previous question, there’s really no right answer. Observe how they handle it.

135. If Germans were the tallest people in the world, how would you prove it?

The logic behind their answer will tell you how smart they are.

136. How many cows are in Canada?

They probably don’t know, but an educated guess will do.

137. What do wood and alcohol have in common?

They should be able to point out a few.

138. How would you move Mount Fuji?

If they’re creative, they’ll knock this out of the park.

139. How many light bulbs are in this building?

Throw them off with this totally weird question.

140. What Is The Scariest Thing You Have Ever Done For Fun?

Do they live on the edge?

141. How much would you charge to wash every window in Seattle?

If they can give you a relatively good answer, you know they can think on their feet.

142. If you could have dinner with anyone from history, who would it be and why?

Who do they really admire, and why?

143. How do I rate as an interviewer?

See if they can be critical and do it in a good way without preparation.

144. Do you believe in Bigfoot?

How well can they handle crazy questions delicately?

145. Do you personally change the oil in your car?

Find out if they're a hands on person or if they avoid the dirty work.

146. What if someone asks you to join at “double” the pay we offer?

If they say they wouldn't consider it, they aren't being genuine with you.

20 Best Hiring Ice Breakers To Ask

Know what sucks most about interviews?

The stiffness and formality of it all. Icebreaker questions can help set the right tone.

Build rapport with job candidates using this collection of icebreaker interview questions.

147. If you could do anything in the world as a career, what would it be?

Are they interviewing for their dream job?

148. If you were a Microsoft Office program, which one would you be?

Great way to calm the nerves before getting to the real questions.

149. What would the name of your debut album be?

This should be fun …

150. Would you rather become someone else or just stay you?

This says a lot about their self-image.

151. If You Can Instantly Become An Expert In Something, What Would It Be?

What would they be doing if they could turn back the clock?

152. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

They should be able to tie in their dream to the career they eventually pursued.

153. What’s one thing we don’t know about you?

What can they point out that’s not in their CV?

154. Are you a good dancer?

Great way to get them to loosen up.

155. What’s the weirdest food you’ve ever eaten?

Do they play safe? Most people hardly try foods they’re not familiar with.

156. If you had to teach a class on one thing, what would you teach?

What are they effortlessly good at?

157. If You Had Your Own Talk Show, Who Would Your First Three Guests Be?

Who are their idols?

158. What would you do if the sun died out?

Sci-fi solution or resignation about extinction?

159. What is your craziest plan for your dream job?

What would they do to get that great job...and will they do it for you as well?

160. Would you rather ride a giraffe to work or an elephant? What are the advantages and drawbacks of your preferred method of transportation?

Really depends on the height of the parking garage.

161. Do you remember any childhood memory?

Picking one at random can lead to some really telling details about themselves.

162. What did you do to prepare for this interview?

They just did it, so they should have a ready answer.

163. Did you ever met any famous person?

It's always a fun story that gets people talking.

164. Which was your last seen favorite movie?

Whatever it was, they'll be eager to give you the plot.

165. Which advice do you think is the best one you have ever got?

It'll come with an anecdote, and it will tell you a lot about how they see the world.

166. Have you recently noticed anything that made you laugh a lot?

Let them tell the story, laugh along, and let everyone relax.

16 Best Unique Topics To Discuss With Applicants

Looking to be a bit edgy and ask some odd-ball questions? Then our list of unique interview questions will knock your socks off.

167. When did you screw everything up, but no one ever found out it was you?

Do they hide their failures?

168. If you had the option to never have to sleep again, or never have to eat again, which would you choose? Why?

If they had to choose between the devil and a hard place, what would they do? Listen to the logic behind their decision.

169. What fruit or vegetable would you most want to be?

Ask them why …

170. Are you a morning person or a night person?

When are they most productive?

171. What’s one career you wish you could have?

Would they change careers at the drop of a hat?

172. Are you a traveler or a homebody?

This might give you an insight into the kind of work they’d be good at.

173. What is your favorite time of the day and why?

When are they most productive?

174. What would your dream house be like?

What kind of life do they aspire to? Flashy or laid back?

175. Would you rather give up your smartphone or your computer?

Great question to strike a friendly conversation with the candidate.

176. If you could go to Mars, would you? Why or why not?

How wild is their imagination?

177. What’s the Most Courageous Thing You’ve Ever Done?

How far are they willing to stretch to achieve their goals?

178. If You Could Eliminate One Thing from Your Daily Routine, What Would It Be and Why?

What’s the one thing that they really hate to do?

179. If you had a choice between two superpowers, being invisible or flying, which would you choose?

Get to the justification, that'll tell you more about them.

180. If you could compare yourself with any animal, which would it be and why

Does their answer match with what you know of their personality?

181. If you had six months with no obligations or financial constraints, what would you do with the time?

Find out if they are actually interesting beyond their qualifications.

182. In the news story of your life, what would the headline say?

Let them sum themselves up for you.

15 Best Topics To Ask During Group Meetings

Group interviews can be tricky to maneuver.  But as always, we have your back. Check out this tantalizing collection of group interview questions.

183. Who is the most mischievous among your group?

This is sure to strike a debate.

184. What if you find yourself in the middle of an island with no communication system?

Great way to see how the group would cope with a difficult situation.

185. You are in charge of 20 people. How would you maintain the cooperation in your team?

This will bring to the fore those with leadership qualities.

186. Would you rather be the funniest or smartest person in the room?

Tricky question … Is there anybody volunteering to be the class clown?

187. How would you motivate the sad one on your team?

A good way to assess group dynamics and team play.

188. Funniest thing that you do on your work as a team.

Do they have inside jokes? Says a lot about the team chemistry.

189. Things that you can do for us in a funny but productive way.

Do they have fun working together?

190. Would you rather be working alone and watched by everyone, or working together while being watched by one?

Are they a team player?

191. How would you make us laugh in 5 minutes?

This is more about creativity than a sense of humor.

192. Show us comedy that represents our company name.

Sometimes it’s okay to goof around during an interview.

193. What Is Something You Can Do Better Than Anyone Else You Know?

What are they really good at?

194. Who would you hire from your group? Why?

See who can give a compliment and put others first, and see who everyone chooses.

195. What was your personal contribution to the team’s performance?

Let them justify their place in front of everyone. You'll see the slackers right away.

196. Why did this team struggle to accomplish the objective?

Who's giving excuses and who gives real answers?

197. How would your colleagues describe you?

Find out how self-aware they are and compare it to what others actually say about them.

Downloadable and Printable List of Best Fun Interview Questions

Here is downloadable and printable list of Best Fun Interview Questions ( right click the image and select Save Image As ):

How To Pick The Best Fun Interview Questions

You now have the questions…

Now to pick the best for the upcoming interview. How exactly do you go about it?

1. Put the Job Requirements First

This has to be your first priority.

Think about what this job is and what qualities the person you're putting in that job has to have. Tailor your major questions around this focus.

2. Start with the end in mind

What kind of person do you want in your team? What qualities should they possess? Now pick out questions that can help bring these qualities to the fore during the interview. For example, you could go with “do you feel like a leader or a follower?” when you’re recruiting for a management position.

3. Avoid Obvious Questions

You can’t entirely avoid the common interview questions. But you can ask them in a more creative way. You don’t want to make hiring decisions off canned responses from candidates. Ask unexpected questions.

4. Make the Questions Fun

You won’t have a hard time doing this. Just pick some out from our list.

5. Maintain a demeanor that reflects the company culture

Remember that you're both interviewing each other to see if it is a mutually good fit.

6. Put the candidate at ease

Even though an interview inevitably comes with some pressure, smile and let them know that you're both human.

More Questions To Ask

We’re not done yet! We have additional interview tips for those who want to learn more.

Here they are:

  1. We have some conversation topics if you’re looking to form a more intimate bond with the candidates.
  2. We also have conversation starters to make the interview process a more welcoming experience for the candidates.
  3. And of course, some philosophical questions to help you explore the mind of the potential hire.

In Conclusion

Interviews don’t have to be a nerve-wracking and dreary experience. Throw in some fun interview questions to make it a more lively and interactive experience. You’ll bring the best out of your candidates and get better recruits in the bargain.