When faced with vague or irrelevant interview questions, stay calm and professional. Politely ask for clarification to better understand the intent of the question. If the question remains unclear, redirect the conversation to highlight your skills, experiences, or achievements that align with the role. Use this as an opportunity to showcase your adaptability and ability to stay composed under pressure. Additionally, ask thoughtful questions about the role or company to keep the discussion meaningful and focused. This approach ensures you leave a positive impression, even in challenging situations.

I have 52,000 hours of recruiting experience working with over 100 clients in their executive hiring process. Here's what you need to know: Clients don't always know how to interview. Assume the person interviewing you is doing their best and not trying to 'getcha". There's nothing "wrong" with being a human being who is interviewing. Human beings who interview say: Do you mean this? Or, could I ask you to clarify this? Your goal as an interviewee is not to impress them with how smart or clever you are, but how much you are committed to solving the company's problems as represented in that role. Asking clarifying questions does that beautifully.

As a recruitment head, I view vague or irrelevant interview questions as opportunities to showcase adaptability and strategic thinking. I seek clarity by politely inquiring about the intent and, if unclear, redirecting the discussion to highlight my expertise and problem-solving skills. Maintaining professionalism and emotional intelligence, I frame responses with logical reasoning and strategic insight. Additionally, I provide constructive feedback post-interview to enhance the process, ensuring productive and impactful interactions.

Сlarify, rephrase for clarity ("You're asking about..."), or give a broad answer covering multiple aspects ("There are a few approaches, such as..."). If it's unusual, connect it to your experience ("This reminds me of..."). Stay logical ("First, I analyze, then take action..."), and wrap up with specifics ("This ties into my experience with..."). Use the "reverse question" method ("How do you handle this?"), or address what they're assessing ("Is this about leadership or stress management?"). If it's odd, take your time ("That's unusual, but I'll answer based on my experience."). Humor can also lighten the atmosphere ("My favorite superhero? The one who brings coffee!"). These methods turn awkward situations into opportunities.

If you're faced vague or off-topic questions, stay calm and don't be afraid to ask for clarification. You can say something like, "I’m not sure I fully understand, could you explain that a bit more?" or "Could you give me an example of what you're looking for?" This helps keep the conversation on track. If needed, steer the conversation back to your strengths and relevant experiences, showing you're flexible and focused on providing the best answer.