“If you were an animal, what would you be and why?” is a question you might be asked in a job interview. If you are reading this, you may be questioning why this inquiry is at all relevant. As impractical as this question may seem, employers want to see how potential employees think on their feet and react to unanticipated questions.

While the answer itself doesn’t necessarily matter, it’s important to understand how to approach these out-of-the-box questions before you go in for your meeting with a hiring manager. Take a moment to prepare yourself for unusual interview questions by following these 3 tips.

Decode what they’re asking

When the hiring manager asks you what you would bring with you to a deserted island, they’re not necessarily looking to see what you’d bring. “Weird” questions are actually cleverly disguised to reflect a much bigger picture. What the interviewer is actually interested in is how quickly and succinctly you can put an answer together. It can be easy to become flustered or feel awkward when responding, so be sure to take a deep breath and pause to collect your thoughts prior to speaking.

Be yourself

Each answer should not only showcase your strengths, but also the personality traits that can make you a fit for the role. For example, some questions are designed to get to know your character and sense of humor, so don’t feel pressured to give an answer that isn’t true to your personality.

If you can’t quickly think of an exact answer, avoid saying “I don’t know” or asking what the question has to do with the job. Instead, verbalize the thought process you are using to get to your answer, which will help the interviewer understand how you think and problem solve.

Be prepared to explain

Your explanation is the most important part of your response. For instance, consider the question asked in the introduction about what animal you would be. Your answer isn’t really what matters and you can choose any animal; it’s how you reason your answer. Why did you choose what you did?

Rather than saying you chose a cat because you’ve always had them as pets, explain the attributes of a cat in relation to the position you’re applying for. If you say they always land on their feet and they’re friendly, but also like alone time, what you’re interviewer is hearing is that you are: Friendly, resilient, and can be an independent worker.

Next time you get asked a bizarre interview question, don’t let it catch you off guard! Stay true to what your gut tells you to answer, but filter it through the lens of the interviewer. How will this sound to them? What am I telling them indirectly by answering this question as such? By following your gut and thoroughly explaining the thought process you are utilizing to get your answer, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about!