How To Answer Questions That You Do Not Know In An Interview

You’re in the middle of your interview.  It’s going great.  The interview seems pleased with your responses and your confidence is on the rise. 

Then the hiring manager asks a question that sends your confidence plunging. 

Why?

It’s a question you don’t know how to answer. 

Although you prepared for the interview with responses to the usual queries, you weren’t expecting this last question.

Don’t worry!  You’re not alone. 

This is a typical scenario for every candidate.  From recent graduates to experienced professionals, everyone encounters a question that covers unfamiliar ground. 

Although your first instinct is to hit the panic button, there are several solutions to this situation. 

Below, we’ll demonstrate how to handle difficult interview questions and offer appropriate responses to keep the conversation going - and spare you from embarrassment. 

Don’t Rush Your Response 

When you’re caught off guard by an unexpected question, the best thing to do is take your time before you respond. 

Abruptly answering “I don’t know” is not the response the interviewer wants to hear.  Doing so not demonstrates a lack of experience, it also brings the conversation to a halt.  To keep the conversation flowing naturally, take a moment to collect your thoughts.  A rapid response may turn into rambling.   

Instead, start your response with a phrase that gives you time to formulate your response and avoid awkward silence.  Use phrases like “That’s a good question” or “I haven’t thought about that.”  Or you can simply repeat the question out loud.  This not only fills the empty space, it also lets your brain further process the question. 

By taking your time to respond you may realize that you actually know the answer.  You were just momentarily thrown off base because it wasn’t a question you expected to answer. 

However, if you truly don’t know the answer to the question, this method keeps you on the right track.  By a few moments to process a response, you keep the conversation flowing and allow you to move to the next step of the process. 

Formulate Your Response In Real Time 

Now that you’ve had a chance to collect your thoughts, it’s time to answer the question. 

If you are still unsure of an answer, that’s ok.  In many cases, the interviewer asked this particular question for a reason that’s beyond simply providing the “right answer”.   An interviewer often asks unexpected questions to test candidates' critical thinking and problem solving skills. 

One of the best ways to formulate a response and demonstrate your skills is to formulate your response in real time.  In other words, think about it out loud. 

For example, if the question is process-related, think about how you perform certain tasks at your current job or a previous position.  Even if the process they’re asking about is unfamiliar, you can use your existing knowledge to formulate a response. 

Apply the steps you would take to complete a familiar task and apply them to the unfamiliar task in the question.  Begin your response by walking the interviewer through your process. 

Use phrases such as “First, I would…”, “Next, I would…”, and “Finally, I would…” to formulate a response. 

Following this process-style method also helps you avoid offering an unfocused and rambling response.  After all, the interviewer is not only using this type of question to assess your problem solving skills, they also want to evaluate your communication skills. 

In most cases it isn’t about offering the “right answer”.  The hiring manager is often aware that you may not know the “right answer”.  They’re more interested in learning how you process information, develop a plan, and then execute it. 

The best way to demonstrate these skills is use your existing knowledge to formulate a response in real time. 

Yet, there are instances when this solution doesn’t apply to the question. 

In those scenarios, it’s best to ask for clarification. 

Ask The Interviewer For More Information 

When the question is completely unknown to you, there’s no harm in asking for additional information. 

In fact, asking for additional information demonstrates that you are not inclined to offer a rushed or inappropriate response.  That quality appeals to hiring managers as it demonstrates responsibility and critical thinking. 

Asking the interviewer to offer additional information helps you further process the question and formulate an appropriate response.  In some cases, you may have known the answer all along.  It’s just that it was asked in a way that was unfamiliar to you. 

Always Answer Honesty 

Following the steps listed above often result in an appropriate response, there may be questions that truly are beyond your knowledge or experience. 

If you encounter such a question, be honest with yourself and the interviewer. 

The old saying “Fake it till you make it” is not good advice.  Most seasoned hiring managers and interviewers can see right through an answer that’s peppered with lies or misinformation.  If your response falls into those categories, the interviewer immediately removes you from further consideration. 

Honesty is another quality that hiring managers look for when interviewing candidates. 

If you truly don’t know the answer to a specific question, that doesn’t mean you can’t offer an appropriate response. 

Instead of saying “I don’t know”, use your current or prior experience to offer a more defined answer. 

For example, if the question involves resolving conflicts between team members, you can speak about an experience that is similar:  “Although I’ve never encountered that situation before, I have successfully resolved several customer service issues with valued clients”.  Then explain how you identified the issue, took corrective action, and resolved the issue. 

Being honest and offering an informed alternative response is much more effective than offering no response or a dishonest response. 

Prepare For Your Interview With Help From Elite Personnel 

Interviewing for a new position is often a challenge - especially when you’re caught off guard by an unexpected question. 

Fortunately, you can overcome these difficult interview questions by following the steps above to offer informed and honest responses that demonstrate your skills, knowledge and professionalism. 

If you enjoyed this article and would like to learn more helpful job-seeking tips, be sure to check out our Blog and Great Info pages!