How should a candidate handle an interview question they cannot answer?
Pause to process, admit what you do not know, and redirect to related skills or experience while staying calm and composed. Offer to revisit the question later or address it in your thank you letter to show willingness to learn.
While it is very unlikely that you may encounter such scenarios after practicing with our interview tool, sometimes, there might just be one curveball question that recruiters may ask and you don’t know the answer to.
For such circumstances, here are some tips that you can follow to handle the situation with grace:
Take Your Time
If you are startled by the question, it’s alright to ask the interviewer for some time.
Instead of panicking and blurting out answers that don’t make sense or will make you look bad, take a moment to process the question and answer in the best way possible.
Know that you also have the option to circle back to the question and address it in your thank you letter.
Redirect the Question and Be Honest
If you are unable to answer the question directly, you can redirect it to something you can talk about.
Be honest and redirect the answer to something you know: “While I don’t yet have much experience with social media marketing, I do have a lot of experience with copywriting, and I am up to date on current SEO practices.”
Instead of lying and finding yourself in hot water, it’s best, to be honest about it and show how you’re working towards learning more about the same.
Recruiters would most definitely appreciate your honesty rather than a made-up story.
Do Not Panic and Stay Composed
If you handle yourself well and stay calm and composed even when you don’t know the answer, it’ll make for a much better impression rather than breaking under pressure.
Pay attention to your body language and expression and ensure that you don’t fidget.
You don’t want the recruiters to think that you cannot work under pressure or when you face a roadblock.
Rather, leverage the situation to your advantage and show how you can be calm, composed, and can handle a roadblock well enough.
You must keep your focus on the overall impression that you’re making on the recruiters.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What should you do if you don’t know the answer in an interview?
Ask for some time, stay calm, and redirect to something you can talk about. You can also circle back and address it in your thank you letter.
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Is it okay to ask for time to think during an interview?
It’s alright to ask the interviewer for some time if you are startled by the question. Take a moment to process the question and answer in the best way possible.
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How can you redirect a question you cannot answer in an interview?
Be honest and redirect the answer to something you know. If you cannot answer directly, redirect it to something you can talk about.
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Should you be honest when you lack experience related to a question?
Be honest about it and show how you’re working towards learning more. Recruiters would most definitely appreciate your honesty rather than a made-up story.
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Is it better to stay calm than to answer quickly when unsure in an interview?
Instead of panicking and blurting out answers that don’t make sense, take a moment to process the question. Staying calm and composed makes a better impression than breaking under pressure.
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Can you follow up on an unanswered interview question in a thank you letter?
You have the option to circle back to the question and address it in your thank you letter.
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What mistakes should you avoid when you don’t know an interview answer?
Avoid panicking or blurting out answers that don’t make sense. Be honest rather than offering a made-up story.
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How should you manage your body language when you don’t know an answer?
Pay attention to your body language and expression and ensure that you don’t fidget. Stay calm and composed to make a better impression.
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Should you lie or guess if you don’t know an interview answer?
Instead of lying and finding yourself in hot water, be honest about it and show how you’re working towards learning more. Recruiters would most definitely appreciate your honesty rather than a made-up story.
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How do you show you can handle pressure when you don’t know an interview answer?
Handle yourself well and stay calm and composed even when you don’t know the answer. Keep your focus on the overall impression that you’re making on the recruiters.
