13 interview questions asked by successful business leaders (and how to answer them)

Think you’ll ace the test? Think again. For Musk, the question has little to do with the job:

“You're standing on the surface of the Earth. You walk one mile south, one mile west, and one mile north. You end up exactly where you started. Where are you?”

Let’s face it, the Tesla and SpaceX boss has got satellites to figure out that kind of thing for him.

When smart leaders ask tough questions, they’re usually more interested in how you figure out your answer than whether you get it right. They’re not trying to trick you; they’ve sat in that interview seat, too, and they’re hoping your answer will prove you the perfect fit for your dream job. Resume.io has gathered 13 thought-provoking examples of such questions from top bosses, complete with analyses and tips, in our new infographic below.

What Interviewers Want to Hear

Musk wants to see how you handle a query with limited data. The follow-up questions you ask. Your logic. Since you already found the answer in this article, looking the interviewer dead in the eye and stating “the North Pole” won’t suffice. You need to at least explain that you found out during research and prep for your interview. Honesty and resourcefulness will get you a long way.

We found that Musk isn’t the only boss to stay on-brand in interviews. Jules Walter, Product Leader at team communication platform Slack, likes to ask candidates which of their teammates they’ve admired and why.

Of course, Walter’s not planning to headhunt your whole team. He wants to know how you see people and position yourself in a crew. It is when you talk about other people that you reveal the most about yourself. So, with this sort of question, mention somebody you admire whose values align with the company you’re trying for.

Related article

How to answer almost any interview question

You got the interview! Now you’re excited and a bit nervous. Calm the jitters and impress the hiring manager with preparation. We’ve compiled dozens of interview questions and sample answers to guide you through the process and get that job.

So, Who Are You Really?

Your new job is more likely than ever to be remote, with 9% of job listings now mentioning WFH options (compared to 2.7% across 2019). And you are more likely than ever to just quit if you’re not feeling it. This means interviewers are more invested in figuring out how you think and work before you get the gig. They may also want to impress on you what makes them (and their company) unique. The quality of your discussion and the chemistry their unusual question sparks has increasing value over the answer you deliver.

Sarah Fetter’s top interview question is a great example of this. The CEO of 121 Ventures likes to ask about the last time the interviewee changed their mind “about something important.” Your answer will demonstrate your values, priorities, and flexibility. “It allows [the employer] to see how — and if — the candidate's belief system or set of core values has changed,” explains Fetter. “How did a powerful experience or impactful person shift the candidate’s worldview?”

For your best chance at acing questions like these (including the ones you don’t expect), you need to practice. Start with a paper and pen and tackle the questions in resume.io’s infographic below. This will help you:

• To identify the values and experiences you want to share with your potential employer.
• To get into the flow of answering lateral questions.

Next, find someone you trust to ask you these and other questions face to face. Practicing this way will help you find your voice and refine your method of presenting your thought processes. If you’ve nobody to practice with, film yourself with your phone. You’ll soon pick up on some areas to improve.

These top leaders got where they are because they know business and they know people. But your potential employer doesn’t yet know you. The interview is your chance to show them the best you that you can be.