For the position of production technician at Procter & Gamble, the interviewer asked: If a co-worker had an annoying habit, and it hindered your quality of work, how would you resolve it?

How to answer it: When you are asked a hypothetical question, it’s best to answer it with a real example. The best answers to questions about how you would behave include examples from your past, so be prepared with anecdotes that illustrate your skills and judgment.

For a data analyst position at Bloomberg, an interviewer posed this question: How do you explain a vending machine to someone who hasn’t seen or used one before?

How to answer it: The hiring manager probably wants to know how you think and relate to people with different skill sets. As more departments collaborate on projects than ever before, your ability to present and interact with various teams is critical. Use descriptive phrases that everyone can relate to. Avoid being flip or condescending and tell a story if you can.

Career coaches say it’s important to remember that there’s no single correct answer to off-the-wall interview questions, but hiring managers are asking them more frequently. They want to understand what makes the candidates tick, how they think, and how they respond to the unexpected. So expect the unexpected, be flexible, positive, and proactive in your response.

Read more atFast Company