12 Interview Brainteaser Questions and Answers

12 Interview Brainteaser Questions and Answers Gone are the days when the hardest question you’d answer in an interview was “What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?” Especially if you are interviewing in the world of technology, brainteasers and riddles are an integral part of the interview process. They show your ability to think through a complex problem, reason through your thought process out loud, and arrive at a solution to a seemingly unsolvable dilemma. Some of these brainteasers may seem impossible, because some of them are. But more important than the right answer is the right progression of logic. According to experts, only 2% of job applicants are brought in for an interview. And 250 people apply for the average job, so if you’ve made it to this stage, you are closer to your goal than you may realize. And you can set yourself apart by acing the tough interview questions. Here is a look at 12 common brainteasers you may be asked in an interview and how to answer them. “Explain This Complex Idea” Questions There is no right or wrong answer to these questions. The goal is to show you can convey complex concepts in simple ways. After all, once you get into the workplace, you will be crossing paths with all kinds of non-technical coworkers. Describe the Sunset to a Blind Person Think of adjectives and remember the blind person won’t know what pink, yellow and orange look like, so you’ll have to describe them. Try something like: “Sunset isn’t a harsh heat like noon, it’s a warm embrace that you wish would last longer. Sometimes clouds can make it hard for the sun to peak through. The softness covers the sky, and the sun is like the last bite of your favorite meal sitting on the plate.” Explain How to Make a Loaf of Bread Don’t panic if you aren’t a whiz in the kitchen. Instead, show your resourcefulness with information already available. You might say: “I’d recommend the Pioneer Woman’s Pull Apart Bread. No fancy bread machine needed. Her recipe is simple to follow, and you won’t have to worry about making too much, because it always disappears!” Explain Our Product to Someone Who’s Been Living in a Remote Village Their Whole Lives This is a particularly popular one with tech companies. You could break the product down into very simple terms, or you could use this as a chance to tell an anecdote from your own life, such as: “It is so important to be able to communicate about technology to everyone. My 81-year-old grandmother recently joined Skype, and I’m the one who taught her how to use it. Here is how I did that, and I’d take a similar approach to explaining this product.” “How Many Are There?” Questions Some brainteasers aren’t subjective; there can be right answers. With this these types of questions, you may not come up with an exact answer, but you should explain how you’d reason to get to the right answer. Twenty-Five Million Pounds of Candy Corn Are Made Each Year. How Many Of Them Fit Inside a Swimming Pool? First, you’d need to know how big a candy corn is and what size the swimming pool is. Is the pool empty, or are there steps, bulkheads or ladders? Ask your interviewer several questions to show how you can work through to the solution. How Many Windows Are in This City? You could ask if they are talking about residential or businesses to start. Then you could find out how many people live in the city, and estimate two windows per apartment. Explain your reasoning: “I’ve lived in this city for ten years. Part of that time I had a roommate, and we had four windows total. Now I live on my own, and there are two windows in my apartment, so that averages to 2 windows per person. If there are 5,000 people in this town, then that is 10,000 windows for residential units. “I’d follow a similar formula for office buildings but realize these would only be estimates. I know people of people have cubicles with no windows, and some people save money by living in basements.” How Many Football Players Are There in The United States? Again, show how you can sort through data: “If you are talking about the pros, I could call the NFL Players Association and it would tell me 2,166 active or “associate” NFL members. If you are including even casual players, I’d start by finding out how many footballs are manufactured in the U.S., and then take off 25% to account for sales to teams and schools or personal use.” “How Do You Do Something Crazy” Question We’re back to looking at subjective questions. Oftentimes these absurdist questions could be answered in a clever way that doesn’t necessitate calculations. How Would You Move the Atlantic Ocean? You could answer this question by explaining the Atlantic Ocean is already moving, thanks to the ebbs and flows of the tide and the Earth rotating on an axis. Or you could take an empty bottle to the beach, fill it with water, and carry it home. How Do You Know the Light in Your Fridge Works When the Door Is Closed? This is a chance to acknowledge that you could reason through it, but also that you are practical: “I don’t need the light when the door is closed. But if I needed to, I could put my camera phone on the video setting, place it in the fridge, and shut the door.” How Do You Kill A Bear? You can also use this type of question to show your sense of humor and ability to improvise: “Very carefully.” “By climbing on its back so it can’t swipe at me.” “With a gun.” “I’m a good enough camper that I know to keep my trash and food in metal containers or hung on a bear pole.” “I spend more time with gummy bears than I do in the wilderness, so this probably won’t happen unless there is a gummy bear apocalypse.” Just don’t get graphic with this answer, that is not the point! “Quick Mental Math” Questions Back to questions with a right and wrong answer. If you are interviewing for a job in computer science, you’ll probably be asked one or two of these types of questions to establish your credentials. Take your time. There is some comfort in knowing at least these question do have an answer. The Time Is 3:15 p.m. The Hour Hand and Minute Hand Are How Far Apart on the Clock, In Degrees? You might want a pen and paper to do this one. A circle is 360 degrees, so divide that by 12 to get 30 degrees per hour. Divide that by 60 for every minute that passes in the hour to see the hour hand moves 0.5 degrees per minute, or 7.5 degrees in 15 minutes. How Do You Measure Four Gallons When You Only Have Two Containers, One That Measures Five Gallons and One That Measures Three? Fill the smaller container full and pour it into the five gallon, then do it again until the five gallon is full. That will leave one gallon in the three-gallon container. Empty the previously full five-gallon container completely and pour in the one gallon of water. Then fill up the three-gallon container again and pour it into the five-gallon one, and you’ll have four total. How Do You Add up Eight Eights to Get 1,000? The trick here is to think beyond just the integer 8. What about 888? And 88? You’ll get there quickly: 888+88+8+8+8=1,000. Help Yourself During Your Interview No matter which question you get, you can answer any brainteaser by: Asking clarifying questions Breaking down the answer into manageable parts Working your way through step by step Your first response to any brainteaser, no matter the type, should be to get some further information: “So when you ask me how many games 5,000 people would need to play in a single-elimination tournament until the winner is chosen, are those 5,000 people playing as individuals or are they on teams? Teams of how many people?” You can see how your follow up questions will give you a path to solving the problem and also demonstrate your curiosity. No matter what question you get, do not try to answer it while you are still thinking through the possible solutions. That’s like a singer recording the final song while they are first writing out the lyrics. What was the toughest question you were asked in a job interview? Do you have a brainteaser to add to this list? Leave your advice in the comments! Preparation for interviews is just some of the advice we provide to help your job search be successful. Get news, resources and career advice delivered right to you by signing up for the Punched Clock newsletter.

Top 10 Resume Writing Services in Dallas TX

Top 10 Resume Writing Services in Dallas TXWhether you are looking for a job in the medical field or you are an entry level candidate for a manager position, the Top 10 Resume Writing Services in Dallas, TX is a great place to start your resume writing skills. Even though many of the top service providers in Dallas offer services to candidates throughout the country, there are a few companies in the Dallas area that offer a diverse set of service options. Your resume is only as good as the resume writing service you choose.The Top 10 Resume Writing Services in Dallas, TX, will also provide you with a few key pointers to help you enhance your resumes so they will be more competitive for job interviews. A resume with words that grab the attention of employers can improve your chances of being hired.If you are not sure of what words to use when creating your resume, then consider your local Top 10 resume writing services. You can talk to a few employees that have successfully completed a job interview and have used a few phrases or words that work. Even if you cannot come up with a couple words that work, at least you have the idea.Another thing that you can do to enhance your resume is to make sure that the services that you choose to offer a variety of different services. The Top 10 resume writing services in Dallas TX will have a wide variety of services to offer. So be sure to select a few services that offer a variety of services so you have the ability to meet your resume writing needs.Once you have selected the Top 10 resume writing services in Dallas TX, you will also need to take time to familiarize yourself with the services offered by these companies. If you have done any research on the subject, then you know that most companies provide several different types of services to help you with your resume writing needs.Don't forget to take some time to talk to a few people who have worked with the Dallas resume writing services to get an idea of what they a re like and what they can do for you. To learn more about how the Dallas resume writing services in Dallas TX help with the hiring process, you can visit the website of one of the top resume writing companies. This will give you an idea of the types of services they provide and what they are looking for in a resume.Resume writing is a difficult process that should be fun as well. With the help of the Top 10 resume writing services in Dallas TX, you will find that your resume will be a lot more effective in attracting the attention of employers. Your resume can stand out from the others and be remembered for its unique, professional, and professional touch.

The Ultimate Manual to How to List References on Resume

The Ultimate Manual to How to List References on Resume Facts, Fiction and How to List References on Resume Your focus to small details could be the trick to success. Understanding how to tailor your resume will obviously provide you an advantage. When you've reviewed resumes in your field, peruse resumes across fields to know how to vary using action verbs and receive a feel for what makes a potent accomplishment statement. Your resume, as stated, isn't an all-out explanation of each step you've taken. The Tried and True Method for How to List References on Resume in Step by Step Detail Creative While it's important to get a professional resume, sometimes just a little creativity and innovation is suitable. The target of your resume is to secure you the interview. A career change resume example should teach you the way to concentrate on your preceding employment. Consequently, the resume will keep evolving at each step in anybody's career. There's an excellent chance i t won't include all the keywords set out in the work description. In most instances, if you may make a case for why a patent is related to your application, then don't hesitate to include it in your resume. When you're trying to find an instance of a resume consider that the manner of your resume will be contingent on the industry you work in. Notice how the example resumes are extremely specific when it has to do with technical skills. The Battle Over How to List References on Resume and How to Win It Utilize your judgment, and as always, you need to always prepare a number of resumes for numerous forms of companies. If you're attempting to obtain work in accounting or finance you require averystrong resume. Various kinds of work in the food service industry require resumes with lots of the exact skills. A legal professional seeking the most suitable job ought to have a strong resume as a way to be noticed by the employers. Whatever They Told You About How to List Refere nces on Resume Is Dead Wrong...And Here's Why A simple resume template is going to be your very best bet. Rise over the desire to take the simple way out copying text from resume templates and chat about what you know and exactly what you love. Utilizing a resume template has turned into an acceptable and smart practice for numerous factors. Referring a sample template will thus help you in creating the the majority of the opportunity. There was a time every time a proper Resume meant a review of the academic achievements. Your resume, after all, isn't an autobiography, but instead a summary of your previous experience and qualifications. Everything in your resume ought to be simple to read and simple to comprehend. Writing a resume for employment in the art industry can be difficult.