Logic and weird questions in Interviews

Question

Hi all
I am wondering has anybody got an idea what should be the right resource for Logic/riddles for interviews.
I heard that some places they ask you to calculate number of chocolates consumed per day or number of payphone in a country etc? has anybody faced similar questions.
S

MsStephanie · Answer

Many of my friends that went into i-banking and consulting after college were asked brainteasers. Some tech companies (Google) use them too. One of my friends was asked how many ping pong balls could fit into an airplane if the seats were removed...

Logic puzzles are used to test how you think and handle yourself in a "stressful" situation. It's not about getting the answer right. There are tons of books filled with brainteasers out there. You could probably find some in the job search section of the bookstore/library.

Here are two links that might be helpful...

https://wetfeet.com/asp/article.asp?aid= ... terviewing

https://vault.com/store/book_preview.jsp?product_id=1567

ranga41 · Answer

If these are suppose to be logic puzzles, it depends totally on ones logical aptitude, I am not sure if it is something people can prepare for just before the interview...If that is the case the companies wont be asking them in iterviews or they can train the people for logic after hiring them.

If somebody prepares for these puzzle and is by chance asked the same puzzle in the interview, the body language will clearly show you are not solving it new.

IMO the best way is to keep a cool head and put the faith on your logical ability. If you got it you got it or else you dont......

MsStephanie · Answer

My reasoning is that the more puzzles you do, the more confident you'll feel. In addition, with more practice you can learn to express yourself better while solving a brainteaser. Before interviews, my friends and I would pick a brainteaser out of a book and try to solve them as we would during an interview. It was helpful to hear their opinions and their explanations...

Some books give you tips on how to present your thought process during an interview which is good because even if you don't know the answer and are floundering, you'll know what questions to ask. 

As always, it depends on your preferences!

saurya_s · Answer

Stephanie, what books do you recommend. The link which you have posted is about Finance. I have no background about that.
Thanks
S

MsStephanie · Answer

What is your industry and what type of jobs are you going for? I posted the finance one because that is one of the books I used. It's got some tips on how to handle brainteasers during a finance interview.

FN · Answer

hmmm

I never had such an interview...even though I was offered a job at an elite I-bank...

I still remember the interviewer told me at the end of the interview that he was just a frmr high-school teacher....I was like what....I was afraid the guy didnt understand anything I talked about...so went to his boss and told him that he should'nt have wasted my time by having an unqualified person interview me...I was most surprised when they offered me a job... I never considred...

so you never know...what goes into these interviews..

saurya_s · Answer

Hi 
I have worked in Pharma and biotech. The interview will be for B school admission to MBA.
Thanks
S

MsStephanie · Answer

Interesting. I don't know a lot about bschool interviews, so perhaps other people on the board can shed some light on the subject. I thought you were going for a job in finance. I'm sure there are books on bschool interviews on amazon or at your local borders/library. Maybe you can look through some of those? Sorry I can't be more help...anyone else want to tackle this?

Logic and weird questions in Interviews

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards