* If you could be any character in fiction, who would you be?

* If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play the lead role?

* If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be?

* If you could compare yourself to any animal, which would it be and why?

* If you were a salad, what dressing would you be?

These sound like survey questions, don’t they? They are actually interview questions. According to the director of the MBA Center at Northeastern University, these questions are meant to see how interviewees react when they are caught off guard and how well they handle the pressure. These questions are also meant to break the habit of rehearsed answers to the same old questions about strengths and weaknesses, and goals and expectations. Interviewers have noticed that potential hires are too prepared and want to shake things up.

Personally, I think I would crack. For years, I have prepared myself to answer the same set of questions. If someone were to ask one of the above questions, I would probably draw a blank. Some people are good at staying on their toes but I am not one of them. I can’t say that I like this new trend.

If you are like me, here are some ways you can prepare for such an interview. Good luck!