The tech industry has a reputation for hitting job candidates with challenging and unusual questions during job interviews, including oddball brain teasers. Why do companies mix their traditional questions (“How have you overcome past challenges?” etc.) with these curveballs? More to the point, how can you deal with these weird questions and turn them into opportunities to show off your skills and experience?
In short, brain teasers are designed to show how you think on your feet and work through unexpected problems. They’re helpful in evaluating a candidate’s creativity and problem-solving abilities. If an interviewer asks you a truly strange brain teaser, make sure you take the following steps:
- Don't panic! Take a deep breath and remain calm.
- Ensure you understand: Do you truly grasp the question? If necessary, ask clarifying questions—the answers will only help you.
- Work the answer out loud: The interviewer wants to see your thought process as much as anything else. In light of that, make sure you vocalize your logic and the steps you’re taking.
- Embrace an oddball solution: Many companies are looking for tech pros who think in creative and unconventional ways. If you come up with an unorthodox solution to a brainteaser, voice it!
Example Oddball Brain Teasers
Back in the day, hiring managers at Google and Microsoft were famous for tossing out oddball brain teasers, although that practice has declined in recent years. (“Why are manhole covers round?” was a favorite at Microsoft for quite some time, if you believe the stories.)
Yet despite some executives shunning the practice, out-of-the-box questioning persists at many tech firms. Over at SpaceX, for example, CEO Elon Musk has been known to ask prospective engineers to solve a geography-related riddle.
Here are examples of brain teasers you might conceivably face during a tech interview. To the best of our knowledge, no company actually asks these exact questions; nonetheless, here’s an idea of the sort of logic brainteasers you can expect to hear from some job interviewers:
“If you had a million garden gnomes, what would you do with them?”
Example Answer: “I would figure out what they really wanted out of a website or mobile app, develop a first iteration of that website or app, and then do some testing on the gnomes to deliver what they really needed. We’re assuming the gnomes can speak, yes?”
"Which fictional character would you want as your co-worker, and why?"
Example Answer: “Brianiac, from DC comics. Sure, he’s a supervillain, but if we could keep the supervillain impulses in check, I bet he could code and debug like a master.”
“How many tennis balls can you fit into a 747?”
Example Answer: "I’d measure the plane's dimensions and volume, and then I’d estimate the average volume of a tennis ball. Then, I'd factor in packing efficiency and potential space constraints to arrive at an estimate.”
"You're stranded on a deserted island with only three items. What are they and why?"
Example Answer: "I’d want a solar-powered laptop with access to online resources. I’d use it to call for help, and while I waited, I’d spend my time coding and developing new skills. I’d also select a device to desalinate water, and, oh, a giant box of food.”
"Why are manhole covers round?"
Example Answer: "Round manhole covers are easier to move and less likely to fall through the opening. This design prioritizes both functionality and safety, which are two values I really embrace when I’m coding.”
There are many more potential oddball questions, of course. Just keep in mind that, if you ever have to face a battery of brain teasers (say that five times fast), make sure to walk the interviewer through your problem-solving process, and do your best to leverage the question to demonstrate your strengths.
