15 Divergent Thinking Interview Questions and Answers

Divergent thinking is the ability to come up with creative solutions to problems. It’s a valuable skill in any field, but it’s especially important in fields like engineering and design, where coming up with innovative solutions is key.

If you’re interviewing for a job that requires divergent thinking, you can expect to be asked questions that assess your ability to think creatively. In this guide, we’ll give you some tips on how to answer divergent thinking interview questions so you can show off your creativity and land the job.

1. What is divergent thinking?

Divergent thinking is a skill that allows you to come up with multiple solutions to a problem. Employers ask this question to see if you understand the definition of divergent thinking and how it can be used in your future role. In your answer, define what divergent thinking is and explain why it’s important for your job.

Example: “Divergent thinking is when you generate many different ideas or solutions to a problem. It’s an important skill because it helps me solve problems more efficiently. I use my divergent thinking skills every day at work to find new ways to improve processes and make sure we’re meeting our goals.”

2. How is divergent thinking different from convergent thinking?

Convergent thinking is the ability to find one correct answer, while divergent thinking is the ability to generate many possible solutions. Employers may ask this question to see if you understand how these two types of thinking differ and which type employers need in their organization. In your response, define convergent thinking and divergent thinking and explain why it’s important for an employer to have employees who can think divergently.

Example: “Convergent thinking is when you focus on finding a single solution to a problem or challenge. Divergent thinking is when you come up with multiple solutions to a problem or challenge. I believe that organizations benefit from having both types of thinkers because they can use convergent thinkers to solve problems and then turn to divergent thinkers to brainstorm new ideas.”

3. Why is it important for a data scientist to know about divergent thinking?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the data science field and how it relates to divergent thinking. You can answer this question by explaining what a data scientist does, why they need divergent thinking skills and how you use these skills in your own work.

Example: “As a data scientist, I am responsible for analyzing large amounts of data to find patterns that help businesses make decisions about their operations. For example, if I was working with a retail company, I would analyze sales data from different locations to see which products are selling well and which ones aren’t. This information helps the business decide where to open new stores or close existing ones.”

4. Can you explain what the cognitive process of ideation is?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of divergent thinking and how it relates to the workplace. When answering, you can define ideation as well as give an example of when you used this process in your previous role.

Example: “Ideation is the cognitive process that allows us to generate new ideas or concepts. I have used ideation many times throughout my career because it’s important for me to come up with creative solutions to problems. For instance, at my last job, we had a client who was unhappy with our work. Instead of just apologizing, I thought about what they wanted and came up with a solution where we could provide them with more value.”

5. Can you give me some examples of exercises that can be used to stimulate divergent thinking?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to assess your creativity and problem-solving skills. It’s important that you provide examples of exercises that can be used in the workplace, such as brainstorming sessions or team meetings.

Example: “I find that divergent thinking exercises are most effective when they’re done in groups. For example, I’ve been part of several brainstorming sessions where we would split into smaller teams and discuss ideas on how to solve a particular issue. Another exercise I’ve participated in was an idea exchange where everyone would share their thoughts on a topic and then build upon each other’s ideas.”

6. Can you explain how creative visualization works?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of divergent thinking skills. Divergent thinking involves the ability to think creatively and generate new ideas, which are important skills for many jobs. In your answer, you can explain how creative visualization works and give an example of when you used it in the past.

Example: “Creative visualization is a technique that helps me solve problems by using my imagination. I use this method when I’m trying to come up with solutions to complex problems or questions. When I was working as a graphic designer, I had a client who wanted a logo design but wasn’t sure what they wanted. I asked them to describe their company and its goals. Then, I closed my eyes and visualized what the logo should look like. After about five minutes, I opened my eyes and drew out some sketches.”

7. What do you understand by brainstorming? How does it work?

Brainstorming is a common method of divergent thinking. It’s a group process that encourages participants to generate as many ideas as possible, without judgment or criticism. The interviewer may ask this question to assess your knowledge of brainstorming and how you use it in your work. In your answer, define what brainstorming is and describe the steps involved in the process.

Example: “Brainstorming is a creative technique where groups of people come together to generate new ideas. There are several steps involved in the brainstorming process. First, everyone gathers their thoughts and writes them down on paper. Then, they share their ideas with each other and discuss them. Finally, they vote for the best idea.”

8. Are there any tools that are available online to help facilitate brainstorming sessions? If yes, then can you name a few of them?

Brainstorming is a common method used in many businesses to generate new ideas and solutions. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience with brainstorming techniques and the tools that can help facilitate them. If you do, share your knowledge of these tools and how they helped you develop innovative solutions or ideas.

Example: “I’ve found that there are several online tools that can be helpful for facilitating brainstorming sessions. One tool I use often is Trello, which allows me to create boards where I can post different topics and then add cards to each topic. This helps keep all my thoughts organized and makes it easy to collaborate with others on projects.”

9. What is the difference between brain writing and brainstorming?

Brainstorming and brain writing are two different approaches to divergent thinking. Brainwriting is a more structured approach that involves writing down ideas as they come, while brainstorming is a less structured approach that involves generating many ideas before organizing them into groups. Your answer should show the interviewer that you understand how these processes work and can apply them effectively in your daily life.

Example: “Brain writing is a process where I write down all my thoughts as they occur without editing or organizing them. This helps me capture all of my ideas so I can organize them later. Brainstorming is when I generate multiple ideas for a project or problem and then group similar ideas together. I find both methods useful because I can use brain writing to gather ideas and then use those ideas to inform my brainstorming sessions.”

10. Is group discussion more effective than individual thought when attempting to solve problems through divergent thinking?

This question is a great way to test your ability to think critically and creatively. It also shows the interviewer that you can work well in teams. Your answer should show that you understand how both individual and group thought processes are important when solving problems through divergent thinking.

Example: “While I believe that both individual and group discussion are effective ways of solving problems, I would say that group discussion is more effective because it allows for collaboration between multiple people with different perspectives on the problem. This helps us come up with solutions that we may not have been able to find if we were working individually.”

11. What are the best practices for facilitating successful brainstorming sessions?

Brainstorming is a common method for generating ideas and solutions to problems. Employers may ask this question to assess your ability to lead group discussions that encourage divergent thinking. In your answer, explain the steps you take to ensure brainstorming sessions are productive and effective.

Example: “I believe it’s important to start brainstorming sessions with an open mind. I always try to avoid making assumptions about what others might say or contribute during these meetings. I also think it’s helpful to have a facilitator who can keep track of all the ideas generated by the team. This way, everyone can focus on contributing their own thoughts rather than trying to remember everything said in the meeting.”

12. Do you think creativity remains constant throughout your life or is it something that you have to practice in order to improve it?

This question is a great way to assess your thoughts on creativity and how you apply it in your life. Your answer can tell the interviewer about your personal views on creativity, as well as whether you think it’s something that can be developed over time or if you believe it’s more of a fixed trait.

Example: “I do believe that creativity is something that can be improved with practice. I’ve found that my own creative thinking skills have grown since I started working in this field. I’m always looking for new ways to solve problems and find solutions, which has helped me develop my divergent thinking skills.”

13. Do you think that certain personality types tend to be better at divergent thinking than others?

This question can help an interviewer get a better sense of your personality and how it relates to divergent thinking. It can also give them insight into whether you think certain types of people are more likely to succeed in their organization. When answering this question, try to be as honest as possible while still being respectful of others’ personalities.

Example: “I believe that all personality types have the potential for divergent thinking, but I do think some may be more naturally inclined to it than others. For example, I’ve noticed that many introverts tend to excel at divergent thinking because they’re often very creative thinkers who enjoy spending time alone. However, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with extroverts either. In fact, I know several extroverts who are excellent at divergent thinking because they’re so good at interacting with others.”

14. What is the most exciting thing you’ve ever done using divergent thinking?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you have used your divergent thinking skills in real-life situations. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of an example from your past where you had to use your divergent thinking skills and how they helped you solve a problem or achieve a goal.

Example: “The most exciting thing I’ve ever done using my divergent thinking skills was when I was working as a server at a restaurant. One night, there were two tables who ordered the same meal but wanted different sides. I knew I needed to come up with something creative so both tables would be happy with their meals. After some thought, I decided to bring out one plate with all the sides on it and let each table choose which side they wanted.”

15. Do you think we need more divergent thinkers in our world today? If so, why?

This question is a great way to see how you feel about divergent thinking and the role it plays in our society. Your answer can help an interviewer understand your perspective on this important skill, as well as what you think about its place in today’s world.

Example: “I do believe we need more divergent thinkers in our world today. Divergent thinking skills are so important because they allow us to solve problems creatively and come up with new ideas that may not have been thought of before. I think these skills are especially important for people who work in creative fields or jobs where they need to find solutions to unique challenges.”