What is YOUR favorite interview question?

I am working with a not-for-profit organization to help with the selection of a new Executive Director.  As part of my work, I am leading an interview training session.  We all know the cardinal rule of interviewing:

• Past Performance (or behavior) in the same or similar work is the single most reliable predictor of future performance (or behavior) in a given job.

There are (at least) three supporting rules:

1. Interview questions should be behaviorally based - examining past and present behaviors.
2. Interview questions should be designed to collect evidence of ability to perform.
3. Interviewers must base evaluation judgments on observable facts.

In preparing for the session, I googled "Bad Interview Questions" and came up with some great examples, most of which had been posted on glassdoor.com.  I have removed the company references to 'protect the innocent' . . . . . . but here are some of my favorites:

• Pepsi or Coke?  (No - it was not either of these companies that asked this one!)
• If you were a sloth, would you climb a tree or a house?
• If you were a food, what type would you be?
• How many golf balls can you stuff in a 747?
• If you were to get rid of one state in the U.S., which would it be and why?
• How many cows are in Canada?
• What song best describes your work ethic?
• Estimate how many windows are in New York.
• What kitchen utensil would you be?

How does one compare candidate responses?

Thought process and creativity are characteristics of many jobs, but is there a way to determine which kitchen utensil is the right choice for your next hire?  I will leave it for you to judge.

BUT - please send me the most strange interview question you were ever asked. They will be the topic of a future Blog.