Wild-card interview questions: “How to catch a creative”

Each week sees a different take on the state of the graduate job market in the media. Reports indicate that it’s on the rise one week, and down again the next. In this constantly shifting career world, employers are not only hitting candidates with an onslaught of example scenarios but more often than not turn to seemingly unusual questions to get a grasp on people’s personality.

Nowhere is this more prevalent than in the media industry, renowned for seeking out the glitterati of creative personalities. Being a grad cad (creative speak for graduate candidate don’t you know…) not so long ago, I found myself at the receiving end of some creative question gems – here is my take on those “what-on-earth…” moments:

1. “If you could have dinner with a famous face, dead or alive, who would it be?”

Ah the ‘meeting famous people question’. You’re brain is whirring, you’re thinking: “be intellectual, sound interesting/intelligent/witty”, but more often than not this outwardly deep-and-meaningful approach isn’t always what the interviewer is after. Let a good book spring to mind, and suggest the author – this gives you an automatic reasoning for your choice that you’ll feel at ease discussing further. Don’t invent a vast knowledge of the literary canon if you don’t possess one – you’ll be caught out. And let’s be sensible, if your interviewing for a serious corporate role, is Jordan’s autobiography the best suggestion? Perhaps not…

2. The question that most stands out from the million billion application forms I have come across was a blank page with a large box in the centre and a title declaring “Fill this box in any way you like”. Panic. I’m not the world’s greatest artist. I have many a creative thought in my head, but doodling creative genius does not come naturally to me. I email my Creative Director Uncle in Australia for his artistic wisdom. “Think outside the box” he replies. I visibly cringe at the sheer clichéd-ness. Is he really suggesting what I’m thinking? I follow said advice and design little stick-men all around the outside of the box, holding signs with written examples of my great creative qualities that don’t involved drawing. Hey presto, I reach the next application round. Thanks Uncle…

3. And finally, my online searching for other example wild-card interview questions resulted in this witty gem. I just wish I could think this fast on the spot:

Interviewer: “I shall either ask you five easy questions or only one really difficult question. Think well before you make up your mind.”

Candidate: (thinks for a while) “…My choice is one really difficult question.”
Interviewer: “Well, good luck to you, you have made your own choice! Now tell me this: What comes first, Chicken or Egg?”

Candidate (beaming): “It’s the chicken!”

Interviewer: “How?”

Candidate: “You promised me that you wouldn’t answer a second question!”

…And he got selected. Boom.