If you could have 3 dinner guests, from any point in time, who would they be and what would you serve them for dinner?

Fun and thought-provoking interview questions like this one may appear light-hearted but are a serious attempt to see your thought process in action as you tackle curious questions you couldn't have prepared for.

It is an opportunity to relax and for you as well as the interviewer to get to know one another. After you answer the question, ask them how they would answer the same question.

Amelia Earhart, Toni Morrison, and Amal Clooney. I'd serve them Scottish Eggs, pickled herring, a hearty salad, and a nice Amarone. I'd also play Ella Fitzgerald records in the background, with a roaring fire in the fireplace.

Depending on how relaxed and approachable you are, these disarming questions might come early on or at the end. Typically, they'll follow this up with getting-to-know-you chit-chat. It's important that you keep your comments consistent with the questions you answer throughout the interview. For example, you might have said earlier that you have open availability. Once you lower your guard, you reveal you have a band and perform nightly and they should come and see you play sometime. While you were trying to make a friend, you just contradicted your declaration of having open availability. Be friendly, make friends, but keep your eyes on the road at all times.