Obviously this is a possibility for your opening question only. The rationale behind this abrupt interview start is that it’s surprising enough and nebulous enough to show you how a potential new hire deals with uncertainty and the unexpected. Richard Funess explains his question best:

“It’s a question that asks for a creative response. It’s an invitation to the candidate to play the game and see where it goes without worrying about the right answer. By playing along, it tells me a lot about the character, imagination, and inventiveness of the person. The question, as obtuse as it might sound to the interviewee, is the beginning of a story, and in today’s world of selling oneself, or one’s company, it’s the ability to tell a story and create a feeling that sells the brand–whether it’s a product or a person.

Source: This great compilation from INC Online about revealing interview questions

Have you asked this question? How did it go? Do you have advice for how best to ask it? PLEASE RATE! AND WRITE A REVIEW (in the comment box below)!