Do you have an upcoming job interview? Check out my example answer to this seemingly playful interview question: “If you were an animal, what would you be, and why?” Other questions that require a similar answer are: “Which superhero best represents you?” or “If you could be anything, what would you be?
Best how-to videos
📃 Make a Resume »
✍🏻 Write a Cover Letter »
👥 Create a LinkedIn Profile »
Overview Examples
📄 Resume Examples »
📝 Cover Letter Examples »
💬 100 Interview Q&As »
It’s one of the questions that tends to throw applicants off, but the reason why interviewers ask this somewhat weird question is to examine your personality. Those who approach this question with a positive and open-minded attitude, and provide a creative and logical answer, tend to do well.
#1 Example Answer
“I’d pick an eagle because of its vision and independent look from higher up. These birds are designed for long distance focus and clarity. As a [Job title], I believe it’s an important quality to take such a “helicopter view” for better team management and guidance.
An eagle is also fearless and strong-willed. No matter the size or power of its prey, it keeps fighting and will never surrender. I also don’t buckle under pressure or succumb to stress. I strive to achieve my goals and don’t give up when it gets tough.”
#2 Example Answer
“If I could be any animal, I would be an orca. They are able to work independently or in groups called “pods”. They hunt in a strategic fashion and proved to be highly-organized. They communicate using specialized local dialects and deliberately teach hunting techniques to their calves. Have you seen this video where orca’s use a wave technique to hunt seals? This kind of sophisticated cooperation is amazing.”
TIPS
√ Do pick an animal that has 1 or 2 qualities important for the job role. For example, if you work as part of a team, you can pick a dog because of its loyalty and ability to complete tasks on command. You can also pick an eagle if you are going for a managerial position since this animal is independent, strong, patient and an eagle gets the bigger picture from high up.
√ Do pick an animal with obvious good qualities (dog, horse, dolphin, monkey, lion etc.)
X Don’t pick an animal with qualities that don’t relate to the job role. For example, if you are working in a team, you’d better not pick an independent animal. If you apply for a manager position, it’s not wise to pick a timid animal that gets easily panicked.
X Don’t pick an animal with obvious bad qualities (snake, sloth, skunk, rat etc.)
