How do I answer, "Which animal best describes you on the job?"

Wouldn’t it be great if you knew exactly what questions you'd be asked in your next job interview?

In a job interview, you have to be prepared to answer any question — even ones like, "Which animal best describes you?"

It may sound a bit strange, but this question is a favorite amongst interviewers. Think of it asan invitation to showcase your qualities and skillsin a creative way.

• Think about a quality or skill that's valuable for the job you've applied for, then think of an animal that fits that characteristic.

• Name the animal, then explain the quality or skill that is similar between you and the animal, making sure to connect it back to the job.

• Ask for a moment if you feel you need some time to think about your answer.

• Try to avoid clichéd responses like, "I would be a wolf because they like to work as a team in packs."

• Keep your answer simple, focused, and brief .

Choose an animal with positive traits thatfit well with the position you've applied for. Consider these examples:

Isla — Line Cook

"Like a hippopotamus,I am stable and adaptable.I am able to accurately execute assigned tasks in extremely fast-paced kitchens, and keep my cool in stressful situations."

Key traits:

• Stable

• Adaptable

Paul — Sales Representative

"Like a dolphin,I am social and collaborative.I am proficient at making connections with potential clients with the knowledge of the products that I am selling, and working well with other sales representatives on larger clients."

Key traits:

• Social

• Collaborative

Everton — Editor-In-Chief

"Like an eagle, I am strong and confident. I have a keen eye on picking out the smallest grammatical errors while focusing on the big picture, motivating and guiding staff to a successful publication."

Key traits:

• Strong

• Confident

Now that you have chosen an animal that fits well with the position you've applied for: