How Many Windows in NYC? – A Puzzling Interview Question
Have you ever been asked a seemingly impossible question in an interview? Something so random and outlandish that you're left wondering if they're even serious? Well, I recently encountered one of these perplexing brain teasers: "How many windows are there in New York City?"
At first, I was taken aback. I mean, who on earth knows the exact number of windows in a city of over eight million people? It's like trying to count the grains of sand on a beach. But then, I realized that this wasn't just a silly question; it was a test of my problem-solving skills, my ability to think outside the box, and my sense of humor.
Breaking Down the Problem
To tackle this seemingly insurmountable task, I decided to break it down into smaller, more manageable chunks. I started by asking myself some key questions:
- What is the definition of a window? Does it include skylights, garage windows, or even those tiny ones in bathroom doors?
- How many buildings are there in NYC? Are we talking about residential, commercial, or all structures combined?
- What is the average number of windows per building? This would vary greatly depending on the size, type, and age of the building.
Estimating the Unknowable
With these questions in mind, I began to make some educated guesses. I figured there were probably millions of buildings in NYC, ranging from towering skyscrapers to quaint brownstones. The average number of windows per building would also vary widely, but I estimated it to be somewhere between 10 and 100.
Multiplying these numbers together, I came up with a rough estimate of several billion windows in NYC. Of course, this was just a ballpark figure, and the actual number could be significantly higher or lower.
The Importance of Humor
As I was pondering this mind-boggling question, I couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. It's a reminder that interviews can be full of surprises, and that sometimes the best way to handle a seemingly impossible question is with a sense of humor.
Related FAQs
How to answer a seemingly impossible interview question?
- Don't panic. Take a deep breath and try to stay calm.
- Break down the problem into smaller, more manageable chunks.
- Use your problem-solving skills and think outside the box.
- Don't be afraid to show your sense of humor.
How to prepare for behavioral interview questions?
- Practice common behavioral interview questions.
- Use the STAR method to answer questions.
- Be specific and provide examples.
- Show your enthusiasm and passion for the role.
How to negotiate salary in an interview?
- Do your research and know the market rate for your position.
- Be prepared to negotiate your salary.
- Start high and be willing to compromise.
- Don't be afraid to walk away if you're not offered a fair salary.
How to follow up after an interview?
- Send a thank-you email within 24 hours of the interview.
- Reiterate your interest in the position.
- Highlight a specific detail from the interview.
- Offer to provide additional information if needed.
How to handle a rejection after an interview?
- Don't take it personally.
- Learn from the experience.
- Ask for feedback if possible.
- Move on and keep applying for jobs.