15 Lateral Thinking Interview Questions and Answers

Lateral thinking is the ability to think outside the box, 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 software development, where innovation is key.

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

1. What is lateral thinking?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of lateral thinking and how it can be applied in the workplace. When answering this question, you should define what lateral thinking is and give an example of when you used it in your previous roles.

Example: “Lateral thinking is a problem-solving technique that involves looking at a situation from different angles or perspectives. It’s important to use lateral thinking because it allows me to come up with creative solutions to problems I’m working on. In my last role as a marketing manager, I was tasked with coming up with new ideas for our company’s social media accounts. Instead of just posting content about our products, I decided to try something different by creating memes and gifs based off of our brand’s mascot.”

2. Can you give me an example of lateral thinking in action?

Employers ask this question to see if you can apply your lateral thinking skills in the workplace. Use examples from previous jobs that show how you used lateral thinking to solve problems and come up with creative solutions.

Example: “At my last job, I was working on a project where we had to create an ad campaign for a new product. We were given all of the information about the product, but it wasn’t enough to make a good ad. So, I gathered everyone together and asked them questions about what they thought would be effective marketing strategies. After some discussion, we came up with several ideas that we could use as inspiration for our ads.”

3. How can lateral thinking help with problem solving and decision making?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you apply lateral thinking skills to your work and evaluate whether you have experience using them in a professional setting. Use examples from past experiences where you used lateral thinking to solve problems or make decisions, such as when you were faced with a challenge that required creative solutions.

Example: “Lateral thinking is an important skill for problem solving and decision making because it helps me look at situations from different perspectives. In my last role, I was tasked with finding ways to increase sales by 10% within six months. After brainstorming ideas with my team, we decided to implement several strategies to reach our goal, including creating new marketing campaigns, improving customer service and offering discounts on certain products.”

4. Is there a difference between Lateral Thinking and Creative Thinking? If so, what’s the difference?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of lateral thinking and how it differs from other types of thinking. It’s important to understand the differences between these two concepts so you can explain them clearly in an interview.

Example: “There are many different kinds of thinking, but Lateral Thinking and Creative Thinking are the most common. While both involve coming up with new ideas or solutions, they differ in their approach. With creative thinking, you start with a problem and then come up with as many solutions as possible. In contrast, lateral thinking starts with a solution and then works backward to find the problem that needs solving.”

5. Can lateral thinking be used to solve problems that are not related to work or business?

Employers want to know that you can use your lateral thinking skills in a variety of situations. Use examples from your personal life or other professional experiences where you used lateral thinking to solve problems and achieve success.

Example: “I have used my lateral thinking skills outside of work many times, including when I was trying to find the best way to get home after a night out with friends. We were all at different locations around town, so we couldn’t just meet up somewhere. I decided to call each friend and ask them what they were doing for the next hour. Then, I would go to whichever place they told me to go to and wait there until it was time for them to arrive. This allowed us to all meet up without having to spend money on an expensive cab ride.”

6. What are some ways to encourage lateral thinking?

Employers may ask this question to see if you can come up with creative solutions to problems. They want employees who are innovative and willing to try new things. In your answer, explain how lateral thinking can help solve a problem or improve an existing process. Explain that lateral thinking is about coming up with unconventional ideas.

Example: “I think the best way to encourage lateral thinking is by encouraging creativity in general. When I worked at my previous job, we had monthly contests where people could submit their best idea for improving our processes. We would then vote on which ones were the best. This was a great way to get everyone thinking outside of the box. It also encouraged us to be more productive because we wanted to win.”

7. What do you think is more important: experience or education? Why?

This question is a great way to see how you value your own education and experience. It also helps the interviewer understand what you think about their company’s educational requirements. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention that both are important in different ways.

Example: “I believe that both experience and education are equally important when pursuing a career in marketing. Experience allows me to learn from my mistakes and find new solutions for problems I encounter. Education gives me the foundation of knowledge I need to succeed in my career. Both help me develop as a marketer and provide me with the tools I need to perform well.”

8. Does lateral thinking have anything to do with ethics?

Employers may ask this question to see if you can apply lateral thinking skills ethically. Use your answer to show that you understand the importance of using these skills in a way that benefits others and does not cause harm.

Example: “Ethics are important when it comes to lateral thinking because they help us make sure we’re using our skills for good rather than evil. For example, I once worked with a client who wanted me to use my lateral thinking skills to create an advertising campaign that would convince people to buy their product instead of a competitor’s. However, I knew that doing so could hurt the other company, so I suggested some ways we could advertise without directly mentioning the competition.”

9. What do you understand about cognitive biases?

Cognitive biases are common errors in thinking that can affect our decision-making. Employers ask this question to make sure you know how to avoid these mistakes and make the best decisions possible. In your answer, explain what cognitive biases are and give an example of a time when you used lateral thinking skills to overcome one of these biases.

Example: “Cognitive biases are mental shortcuts we use to help us process information more quickly. However, they can lead us to make poor decisions because they cause us to overlook important details or ignore evidence that contradicts our assumptions. For example, I once worked with a client who was convinced his competitor had stolen their idea for a new product. After some lateral thinking, I realized he was overlooking all the ways his company could have come up with the same idea on its own.”

10. What are some common cognitive biases?

Cognitive biases are errors in thinking that can affect our decision-making. Employers may ask this question to see if you know how to recognize and avoid these common mistakes. In your answer, explain what cognitive biases are and give an example of one you’ve experienced.

Example: “Cognitive biases are errors in thinking that we all experience at some point. For instance, confirmation bias is when we only seek out information that confirms our beliefs or opinions. I have seen this happen in the past when a team member was trying to convince others that their idea was better than another person’s. Instead of listening to both ideas and considering them equally, they only looked for evidence that supported their own opinion.”

11. Can you explain how different people approach problem-solving differently?

This question is a great way to show your understanding of how different people can approach the same problem in unique ways. This can be especially important if you are interviewing for a position that requires collaboration with others. In your answer, try to explain how each person’s background and experiences can influence their thought process when solving problems.

Example: “I believe that everyone approaches problem-solving differently because we all have our own unique backgrounds and experiences. For example, I once worked with a team member who was very logical and analytical. He would always start his problem-solving by looking at the facts and analyzing them before making any decisions. Another team member was more creative and imaginative. She would often look at a problem from multiple angles and consider many solutions before deciding on one.”

12. What’s your opinion on creative intelligence vs IQ as far as problem solving skills are concerned?

This question is a great way to gauge how you think about problem solving and your opinion on the subject. It’s important to show that you can apply both creative intelligence and IQ in your work, as they are both valuable skills for any job.

Example: “I believe that both creative intelligence and IQ are equally important when it comes to problem solving. Creative intelligence allows me to come up with new ideas and solutions to problems, while my IQ helps me analyze those ideas and determine which ones will be most effective. I find that using both of these skills together has helped me solve many complex issues at previous jobs.”

13. Do you think it’s possible to develop lateral thinking skills? If yes, then how?

Employers may ask this question to see if you think lateral thinking skills can be learned and developed. They want to know that you’re willing to put in the effort to improve your problem-solving abilities. In your answer, explain that you believe it’s possible to develop lateral thinking skills. Explain how you would go about doing so.

Example: “Yes, I do think it’s possible to develop lateral thinking skills. I’ve found that one of the best ways to develop these skills is by practicing them regularly. For example, when I’m working on a project, I try to come up with as many solutions as I can before choosing the best one. This helps me practice my lateral thinking skills and find new ways to solve problems.”

14. What’s the best way for a team to make better decisions?

This question can help an interviewer assess your ability to work with a team and make decisions. Use examples from past experiences where you helped a team make better choices or encouraged others to do so.

Example: “I think the best way for a team to make better decisions is by encouraging open communication. When I worked as a project manager, my team was tasked with creating a new marketing campaign for our company’s product. We had several ideas that we wanted to implement, but we didn’t know which would be most effective. So, we decided to hold a brainstorming session where everyone could share their ideas. After hearing all of our suggestions, we were able to narrow down our list to three options. Then, we held another meeting to discuss each idea further and decide on one final plan.”

15. What’s your definition of creativity?

Employers ask this question to see how you define creativity and whether your definition aligns with their company’s culture. This is also a way for them to assess your critical thinking skills, as they want to know that you can apply creative solutions to problems in a logical manner. When answering this question, try to show the interviewer that you understand what creativity means and how it applies to your work.

Example: “Creativity is the ability to come up with new ideas or approaches to solve problems. I think of creativity as a process where you start with one idea and then use logic and reasoning to create something new. In my last role, I was tasked with coming up with new marketing strategies for our client. I started by researching current trends and analyzing data from previous campaigns. Then, I used those insights to develop several different marketing plans.”