Types of Questions with No Right or Wrong Answer
There are three different types of interview questions without a single correct answer:
- Hypothetical Questions
- Open-Ended Questions
- Behavioral Questions
Hypothetical Interview Questions
Hypothetical questions like, “How would you calculate the amount of toilet paper needed to cover [City Name]?” are designed to reveal how you think and reason.
There is no correct answer, but interviewers will evaluate the quality of your logical analysis.
- Gather Information About the Problem
Start by asking questions to collect as much information as possible from the interviewer and clarify the problem. For the example above, you might ask whether they want the measurement running north-south or east-west.
- Explain Your Thought Process
Share your reasoning approach to solving the problem. This might include describing how you would gather necessary information for your calculation, as well as the actual method you would use.
In the example above, you might indicate you would consult geographic resources to determine the city’s length or width in kilometers.
- Share Your Solution
After determining the length of an average toilet paper roll — perhaps by multiplying estimated sheet length by the estimated average number of sheets per roll — you would calculate the city’s area and divide by the roll’s coverage area to determine how many rolls would be needed.
Open-Ended Interview Questions
Open-ended questions like “Why should we hire you?” or “Describe yourself” also have no single correct answer. These questions are designed to elicit responses beyond yes, no, or simple factual answers. You should leverage these opportunities to share your most compelling assets with the employer.
- Align Your Qualifications with the Job
Prepare for open-ended questions by evaluating the requirements for your target position. Create a list of your assets — skills, knowledge, personal qualities, certifications, experience—that match key job requirements.
For each relevant asset, think of an example demonstrating how you applied that strength to handle a task, solve a problem, or add value to an organization.
- Offer Solutions
When answering questions like “Why should we hire you?” a good strategy is not only to promote your abilities but also to incorporate employer-focused consulting analysis into your response. Frame your answer to show you’re excited about offering the employer a solution.
Sample Answer:
“XYZ’s stated mission is to provide an unparalleled customer experience — a goal I share and have consistently achieved by raising customer satisfaction ratings by 35% in FY2020. I would welcome the opportunity to deliver even greater returns for XYZ compared to last year.”
Behavioral Interview Questions
Behavioral questions aim to determine whether you possess the skills, attitude, or qualities needed for success in a specific role. These prompts often begin with phrases like, “Tell me about a time when you…”
Essentially, the interviewer is trying to understand how your past behavior in challenging work situations might predict your response to similar circumstances in their organization.
Each candidate answers differently based on their own experiences. While there’s no single correct answer, the best responses clearly indicate specific instances where the relevant behavior or skill was demonstrated.
The best approach follows this structure:
- Situation: Describe the situation or problem you faced
- Task: Explain your responsibility or role
- Action: Describe how you intervened, referencing the skills or behavior in question
- Result: Outline the outcome, emphasizing how you achieved a specific positive result
Using the STAR method helps you structure your response and share compelling examples.
While preparing for every possible behavioral question is challenging, analyzing your target job’s requirements helps anticipate qualities employers will probe—such as resourcefulness, leadership, teamwork, creativity, or strong work ethic.
Align Your Resume with the Position
If you review your resume bullet points, reflect on your achievements in each role, and identify the strengths that enabled your success, you’ll be prepared to answer most employer interview questions in detail.
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