Brainteasers: Or, How Many Crazy Interview Questions Does It Take to Get Hired?

You've looked at all the job interview tips and techniques. Did your homework and studied all the potential employer interview questions you may be asked. Plus, you've practiced your answers in front of the mirror and in a mock interview. Yep, you're a well-prepared candidate ready to show your stuff. What more does an interviewer seeking a great candidate want?

Well, for starters, they may want to know:

** How many quarters - placed on top of each other - would it take to reach the top of the Empire State Building?

** How many piano tuners are there in the world?

** What does all the ice in a hockey rink weigh?

** How many gas stations are there in the US?

** Why are manhole covers round instead of square?

** If you had to get rid of one state, what would it be?

** How do they make M&Ms?

Before you sit there scratching your head and wondering if you've entered the interviewing Twilight Zone, realize that it's becoming more and more common for interviewers to ask these kinds of brainteaser questions.

Why in the world are they using brainteasers in interviews? Because they're looking to get a feel for how you process information - how well you work through a problem.

The first thing you should do with a brainteaser question is NOT focus on coming up with the right answer. There may not be a right answer. Instead, in your mind, divide the problem up into sections (Well, first I would . . .) and then brainstorm a logical solution out loud. Employers want to see that you're smart and can reason through real-world business problems and come up with solutions.

You might want to practice some brainteaser questions before the interview so you'll be prepared if one comes up. You can even do this while enjoying a snack. Before you pop that handful of M&Ms into your mouth, ask yourself: "How would I make these round candy treats with chocolate on the inside and a coating on the outside?"

Hmmm.

How would you?

About The Author

Copyright 2004

Donna Monday
Get Hired Now! Use These Online Interview Tips
http://www.get-a-job-interview-quick-tips.com

In The News:

table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Gen-Y-Holiday-Jobs-Nearly/story.aspx%3Fguid%3D%257B8503523E-6D70-4670-BCF2-B10C52126A9C%257Dcid=1272277986ei=2x4lSeTGDI2A7QPcpezlCwusg=AFQjCNFLTiRPZurE6EcjW7nVBg2nyGHF7gGen Y and Holiday Jobs: Nearly 80% Seeking bEmployment/b During b.../b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fMarketWatchnbsp;-/font nobr15 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1Gen Y job seekers anticipate finding bemployment/b through their university bcareer/b centers (22 percent), word-of-mouth (23 percent) and online job boards (21 b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Military-MBA-Sees-Bright-Spot/story.aspx%3Fguid%3D%257B68646BEE-D9D5-4BA4-8867-5145DFA8989F%257Dcid=1271920639ei=2x4lSeTGDI2A7QPcpezlCwusg=AFQjCNHlxwj95oLDF7936CQk38JzHDNCIwMilitary MBA Sees Bright Spot in Lackluster bEmployment/b Market b.../b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fMarketWatchnbsp;-/font nobrNov 18, 2008/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1quot;This is a bright spot in an otherwise lackluster bemployment/b market.quot; Discussions with the event#39;s participating bcareer/b experts reinforced Military MBA#39;s b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.emaxhealth.com/1/38/26717/top-medical-careers-and-asistant-jobs.htmlcid=0ei=2x4lSeTGDI2A7QPcpezlCwusg=AFQjCNFilAVm27bc0RVCqRTarjSuaInOGwTop Medical bCareers/b And Asistant Jobs/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6feMaxHealth.com,nbsp;NCnbsp;-/font nobr6 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1Certification means that one is competent and has more credibility and so increases the chances of bemployment/b. The bemployment/b chances of medical assistants b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd width=80 align=center valign=topfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifa href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7734226.stmcid=1272374362ei=2x4lSeTGDI2A7QPcpezlCwusg=AFQjCNGE6cS05PwE5YD3HcwKI9tEYLtl6gimg src=http://news.google.com/news?imgefp=jO1c_mE2OhEJimgurl=newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/45221000/jpg/_45221924_45221793.jpg width=80 height=60 alt= border=1brfont size=-2BBC News/font/a/font/tdtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.metromodemedia.com/features/RetoolingSEMichiganWorkforce0094.aspxcid=1272374362ei=2x4lSeTGDI2A7QPcpezlCwusg=AFQjCNGrqeai7D5rUXTFb6B8Dfx4IbYZGARetooling SE Michigan#39;s Workforce/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fMetromode Media,nbsp;MInbsp;-/font nobr1 hour ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1Aubry says advisors are educating visitors about 50 quot;hotquot; bcareers/b in Michigan and apprising them of their earning potential and requisite level of education b.../b/fontbrfont size=-1a href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/motor-city-from-motown-to-nohope-town-1024597.htmlcid=1272374362ei=2x4lSeTGDI2A7QPcpezlCwusg=AFQjCNHiqyE28k3rEGI1F2aPLSsuDV_9jAMotor City: From Motown to no-hope town/a font size=-1 color=#6f6f6fnobrIndependent/nobr/font/fontbrfont size=-1a href=http://news.google.com/news?btcid=e3abfae965230256img src=/images/news_comment_bubble12.gif alt=google news comment class=comment-iconComment bynbsp;Gary Chaison/afont size=-1 color=#6f6f6fnbsp;Prof. of Industrial Relations, Clark University/font/fontbrfont class=p size=-1a class=p href=http://news.google.com/news?sourceid=navclientie=ISO-8859-1rls=GGLG,GGLG:2005-22,GGLG:enncl=1272374362hl=ennobrall 796 news articles/nobr/a/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.management-issues.com/2008/11/19/research/how-to-prevent-your-career-collapsing-with-your-company.aspcid=0ei=2x4lSeTGDI2A7QPcpezlCwusg=AFQjCNGgtv_ZW8To2pvID_Djl8P8wCUd5wHow to prevent your bcareer/b collapsing with your company/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fManagement-Issues,nbsp;UKnbsp;-/font nobr14 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1b.../b and are in a good position to plan a departure that will benefit their bcareers/b,quot; he added. For the study, Semadeni examined the bemployment/b situations of b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.yaledailynews.com/articles/view/26649cid=0ei=2x4lSeTGDI2A7QPcpezlCwusg=AFQjCNHybcdcLaIQKfrH5JzcuBIG8gNulQFor musicians, job market hits sour note/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fYale Daily News,nbsp;CTnbsp;-/font nobr46 minutes ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1b.../b stressing persistence, networking, marketing and diversifying bemployment/b options. Students stressed the importance of having a back-up bcareer/b plan since b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.talentmgt.com/industry_news/2008/November/3814/index.phpcid=1271681646ei=2x4lSeTGDI2A7QPcpezlCwusg=AFQjCNEPncE6yUGHU3TA_uqrZa9ZXsBsoAKelley School Study Finds Early Exit Yields Better Odds of b.../b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fTalent Management,nbsp;CAnbsp;-/font nobrNov 17, 2008/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1b.../b and are in a good position to plan a departure that will benefit their bcareers/b.†For the study, Semadeni examined the bemployment/b situations of 1155 b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.interbiznet.com/ern/archives/081120.htmlcid=0ei=2x4lSeTGDI2A7QPcpezlCwusg=AFQjCNHKfaRuRRicahqHE3mPPDbkM-5ENQbCareers/b in Recruiting/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fInterbiznet Bugler (press release),nbsp;CAnbsp;-/font nobr1 hour ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1Decide what type of bemployment/b recruiter to become. Will you work for a recruiting company or become an independent? Do you intend to work on contingency or b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/2008-11-19-unlv-university-studies-degree_N.htmcid=0ei=2x4lSeTGDI2A7QPcpezlCwusg=AFQjCNGDQrMkh0KGMmG6RqHt5iQdzv7sPAUNLV athletes question degrees in university studies/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fUSA Todaynbsp;-/font nobr3 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1Instead of having a convenient path of least resistance, we want to encourage them to think more actively about their bcareers/b and their futures and then b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/11/prweb1636694.htmcid=1272189501ei=2x4lSeTGDI2A7QPcpezlCwusg=AFQjCNFtJ7JF1v2Jjn20eYmJnarCqcEVowMyPursuit.com Launches Massive bCareer/b and College Portal to Help b.../b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fPR Web (press release),nbsp;WAnbsp;-/font nobrNov 19, 2008/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1b.../b Salaries, Influential Professionals, Leading Organizations, Top Cities for bEmployment/b, bCareer/b Training as well as other bCareers/b that may interest you. b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
careers employment - Google News

Could You Write Performance Reviews For Money?

Writing performance reviews can be an excellent way to earn... Read More

20 Powerful Tips For Advancing Your Career

You don't want to stay in your current position forever...... Read More

Nuts and Bolts of Effective Cover Letters

As a job seeker, you shouldn't overlook the importance of... Read More

Thank-You Notes: An Integral Part of Your Career Design

There is one little practice that is vital to generating... Read More

Working From Home - Could You Cope?

It is a well-known fact that more and more people... Read More

Dissatisfied With Your Job? Stop Believing The Myths!

If you are dissatisfied with your job, you are in... Read More

Writing Resumes That Attract Your Perfect Job

Let me introduce you to Ben. He made it happenBen... Read More

Do You Have a Hotsy-Totsy Resume?

I begin this article with a bit of slang description.... Read More

Mastering The Lunch Interview

Interviews can be nerve-racking, brain-draining, headache-inducing experiences. These days, recruiters... Read More

Jobseekers! Look For Smoke, Not Fire

"If you always do what you've always done, you will... Read More

My Landscaping Business is Better Than Your Lanscaping Business...

Yesterday I was having a discussion with Mary who I... Read More

Phone Interviews: Prepare to Ace Them!

More companies are saving time and effort by doing initial... Read More

Successful Job Seeking ? The Importance of Your Cover Letter

As an employer I receive many job applications each week.... Read More

Hunting the Executive Head Hunter

5 tips to win over an executive head hunter or... Read More

What is My Calling?

"What is my calling?" Do any of us really have... Read More

Lost Your Job? Ten Ways to Bounce Back!

Whether you've been right-sized, downsized, underutilized, or just plain fired,... Read More

Sample Resume Objectives: Read, Dont Copy

The resume objective statement is typically something that trips people... Read More

Ten Courses Of Study If You Want To Be Your Own Boss

For many Americans, an important component of the American Dream... Read More

Creating Traffic Jams

It's hard to imagine why anyone would pick up a... Read More

What is Mystery Shopping, and Can You Really Get Paid to Shop?

Mystery shoppers visit businesses "disguised as normal customers," and do... Read More

Focus On White-Collar Crime: Accounting Fraud and Computer Crimes Creates Need; Qualified Investing

An epidemic of white-collar financial crime has resulted in the... Read More

Job Search Advice for Desperate Job Seekers

Another morning of job hunting lies ahead of you. You... Read More

Career Strategy When Your Boss is a Bully

Q. Right after I accepted my new position, the manager... Read More

How Well Do You Manage Your Boss?

Are you in this situation? You and your boss just... Read More

Are You Bored By What You Do?

Is your working life in the doldrums? Do you feel... Read More