Brainteaser

A Brain Teaser ( often written as " hard nut ") is a brainteaser that is used in job interviews.

Background

Brain teasers are used in interviews to test creativity and logical thinking ability of applicants. It does not come primarily to the fact that the candidate actually solves the task, but as he approaches the solution. The questions usually have no direct relation to future activities of the applicant, but represent situations in unfamiliar contexts. Brain Teaser can be usually without special expertise, but by logical thinking, solve using trial -and- error method or with a simple rule of three.

Brain teasers are mainly used by consulting firms, investment banks, logistics companies, but also start-ups. The justification provided is that customers often come up with unusual issues to the companies. Therefore, it is important to know how potential employees react in such a situation. These informal competences would be for an employer not less interesting than an in-depth knowledge.

Criticism

Critically it is argued that logical thinking and problem solving strength could be identified merely by the use of case studies from the real practice. To this should not be trying to bring the candidate out of the concept or lure on the wrong track. In addition, now exists an extensive literature which enables the candidates targeted preparation.

Examples

• How many cats are there in Germany?
• How many smarties fit in a Smart?
• One and a half chickens lay one and a half eggs in one and a half days. How many eggs a chicken lays in a day?
• How hard is Manhattan?

Literature (selection )

• Michael Hoi, Stefan Menden, Jonas Seyffert: The Insider Dossier: Brain Teaser in interview: 140 Exercises for the recruitment test. 5th updated edition. squeaker.net, Cologne, 2013, ISBN 978-3-940345-39-4.
• Reinhard Pietsch, Jens Holger Lorenz: Brain Teaser: Playful for Super IQ. Grafe and Dead Ringers Verlag, 2011, ISBN 978-3-8338-2136-3.
• Michael Hoi, Stefan Menden: The Insider Dossier: recruitment tests at top companies: master logic, analytics and intelligence tests. squeaker.net, Cologne 2011, ISBN 978-3-940345-11-0.