Why Irrelevant Interview Questions Still Get Asked

24 July 2025

What’s the Point of Irrelevant Interview Questions?

(Like "What Animal Would You Be?" – And Why They Still Happen)

When you're applying for roles in mortgage, insurance, or financial services, you expect interview questions to be relevant to the job. But what happens when you're asked something like:

🦁 "If you were an animal, what would you be—and why?"

It might seem pointless, especially in serious sectors like mortgage adviser recruitment, financial planning, and protection. But believe it or not, some recruiters and hiring managers still ask these types of questions—and there’s a reason behind it.


Why Do Recruiters Ask Irrelevant Questions?

Oddball interview questions aren't about the answer—they're about how you answer. In industries with high client interaction like mortgage advisor jobs, personality and communication style still matter.

Here's what these questions are (sometimes) trying to uncover:

  • Creativity & Communication: Can you think on your feet and articulate ideas clearly?

  • Cultural Fit: Will you mesh well with the team?

  • Handling Pressure: Especially relevant in high-pressure roles like mortgage broker recruitment or financial services recruitment.

Even recruitment agencies and headhunters sometimes use these to break the ice or gauge your personality beyond your CV.


The Downside: When These Questions Miss the Mark

That said, irrelevant questions often backfire—especially in regulated, client-facing roles such as mortgage advice, protection, or insurance.

The risks include:

  • Wasted time: Instead of focusing on compliance knowledge or industry experience, the conversation derails.

  • Bias potential: Hiring decisions based on personality quirks rather than skill.

  • Candidate frustration: Serious professionals in financial planning or mortgage advisor jobs may feel their expertise is being overlooked.


The Role of Good Recruitment

This is where high-quality recruitment services make all the difference. A specialised recruiter or recruitment agency that understands the financial services landscape knows how to balance:

✅ Role-relevant questions
✅ Cultural fit assessment
✅ Proper evaluation of technical expertise

Whether you’re looking for your next opportunity or trying to fill a specialist role, partnering with a niche headhunter ensures a streamlined, relevant hiring process.


Final Word: Keep It Real (and Relevant)

Fun questions have their place—but when it comes to hiring top talent in mortgage adviser recruitment, insurance, or financial planning, interview time is better spent assessing the skills and experience that matter.


Looking for your next hire or career move in the mortgage or financial sector?
JDC Professional Recruitment specialises in mortgage advisor jobs, mortgage broker recruitment, and all areas of financial services recruitment. Get in touch with a recruiter who knows the market—and won’t ask what kind of zoo animal you’d be. 🦓

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