Interviewers often throw in a trick or unexpected question to try and catch you unaware. Quite often there is no right or wrong answer but rather they are trying to gauge your ability to think on your feet.

If you were given a box of 10 pencils can you list 10 things that you could do with them that are not their traditional use?

A question like this is asking you to use your imagination and think outside the box. Here are a few examples that could be used:

• Use them for teaching a child to count.
• Test your strength by breaking them.
• Try balancing them on your nose.

Why are manhole covers round?

Made famous by Microsoft for their interviews, this question is designed to get you thinking and aims to find those who can get things done. While there is no one answer for this question, here are a few options to consider:

• A round manhole cover is easily moved and rolled.
• It’s easier to dig a round hole.

If you woke up and had 2,000 emails and were only allowed to answer 300 of them, how would you choose which ones to answer?

Three approaches to consider here are:

• Answer the first 300 according to time.
• Answer the first 300 according to file size.

If ads were removed from YouTube how would you monetise it?

This question is testing your commercial acumen. With ads being such an import revenue stream for YouTube, be creative in suggesting other ways for them to create revenue. Pay to view or a membership based subscription could be two things to consider.

What would you do if you didn’t have to work?

There are many answers to this question but they all depend on the individual. You may want to travel, spend more time with friends and family.

For more advice and inspiration visit nijobfinder.