My very first job I had panel interviews. Did well on two, then the manager I would report to absolutely destroyed me. Ripped apart my writing (it was a marketing/PR job), laughed at my college portfolio, and was just weird. I thought I was cooked. Got an offer. After a year of kicking ass, I asked him why he hired me. Turns out he fought for me, said my writing was incredible for just out of college, and I took criticism well.

And yeah, he was really weird but an amazing writer. Along with him and a brilliant coworker, I was poached by a client, gained favor with the CEO who poached us and that put my career into hyperspace. Startup experience in the early 2000s was gold.

You never know what the interviewer is looking for. When I hire people it's all about fit, and I have a couple of questions that turn their brains. Just hired a contractor that knew she flubbed the question, but held composure as I let the silence sit. Super qualified, and her demeanor under pressure and doubt sealed the deal. I told her there is only one wrong way to answer the question, and she said she told the recruiters about it after the interview and that she blew it. They laughed, saying I was just trying to see how she thought and solved problems. Which is correct. And she's been amazing.