Nowadays, the recruitment process has gone beyond the traditional framework of questions about professional knowledge and academic achievements. Companies are increasingly focusing on evaluating candidates through puzzle questions to challenge their reaction and creative thinking abilities.
The situations presented often do not have clear answers, opening the opportunity for candidates to demonstrate their unique approach and reasoning. These questions help employers understand more about candidates’ behavior, as well as their EQ and IQ scores, in addition to their professional knowledge.
These seemingly unrelated questions may confuse many people, but they are the gateway for candidates who can skillfully deal with difficult situations.
Khuong Xuan, a candidate in China, went through such an experience in the process of seeking a new job. He found a job through professional websites and submitted his resume.
After being invited for an interview for a position in the communication industry, he and 3 other candidates were challenged with the question: “How can poor people afford diamonds?”
While the other 3 candidates could not provide a satisfactory answer, Khuong Xuan demonstrated his flexible and creative thinking ability. He proposed an assumption about how poor people could exchange precious water bottles in the desert for diamonds, thereby showing the relative value of goods depending on specific circumstances. This reaction not only convinced the employer but also ensured him the opportunity to join the company immediately.
The employer explained that the purpose of such questions is to test candidates’ ability to perceive and solve problems from a new perspective. In addition, they also recommend that candidates listen carefully to every word and not limit their thinking within the framework of past experiences. This helps them adapt better to unforeseen requirements and demonstrate themselves excellently in the workplace.