Fending Off Weird and Wonderful Questions

Certain interviewers like to think of themselves as pop psychologists. These people may have read an article once or know someone who knows someone who is a psychologist – and they now believe that certain questions can allow them to peel aside your defences and delve into your personality.
Now, the truth of the matter is that the following questions would never be asked by anyone who has even a half-decent understanding of psychology. But as this is an interview and there are certain rules to abide by, you must simply grit your teeth and smile sweetly in the face of these truly, outstandingly bizarre questions.
Be careful not to sound too rehearsed when responding to the following questions. The idea in a pressure interview is to come across as cool and collected, but not as if you have memorised your answers off by heart. If you answer straight-away without any hesitation at all, then the interviewers may see through you. So make sure that you at least pretend to give each question a moment’s thought!

See this pencil I’m holding? Sell it to me
You may expect this question to be asked of people going into sales, but in fact it tends to be asked mainly when interviewers want to put non-sales people under pressure. The interviewers are trying to frighten you with a seemingly odd request.
You can potentially be asked to sell just about anything in sight, from a notebook to the desk at which the interviewers are sitting.
Sales people have to be good mannered, polite, and enthusiastic. Make sure that your tone of voice, facial expressions, and
body language display those qualities in answering this question. Passing this question is not just a case of saying the right
words – it is just as important for you to appear as if you believe in the words, too.

A good tack may be to follow four simple steps to selling anything:
1. Ask the interviewer some questions to establish his need for the item. For example if you are asked to sell a potted plant: Do you already own any potted plants? Would you like to own any more?

The interviewer is bound to say no to your questions, which leads onto the next step.
2. Talk about the features and qualities of the item. Describe the shape and texture of the leaves; tell the interviewer about the number of flowers and their colour.
3. Next focus on the benefits of the item. For example, a potted plant may make the room seem greener and more pleasant to work in. It can also relax people who come into the room and make them feel more at home. Plants also generate oxygen and remove stale carbon dioxide.
4. Finally, make a strong statement to finish, such as: In summary, I think it’s a great plant and I’d be delighted to have one of these at home. Would you like one?
If you follow those steps, your eloquence should suitably impress the interviewer.