When You Can't Answer An Interview Question

Summary

In this video, Veros shares five effective strategies for handling interview questions when you're unsure of the answer. He advises seeking clarity by asking for more context, rephrasing questions to ensure understanding, or even asking the interviewer to rephrase. If needed, you can buy time by postponing the question until later in the interview. Additionally, he suggests emphasizing your willingness to learn new skills if faced with a technical question you don't know, and offering a hypothetical response for behavioral questions you haven’t experienced. These techniques will help you stay composed and confident during any interview.

Takeaways

• 😀 Seek clarity when you don’t fully understand a question. Ask the interviewer for clarification or an example to ensure you’re on the right track.
• 😀 Rephrase the question to give yourself more time to think and make sure you understand what’s being asked.
• 😀 If you don’t know the answer to a question, offer a relevant example from your experience that can demonstrate your skills in a different context.
• 😀 Ask the interviewer to rephrase or ask the question in a different way to help you better understand their intent.
• 😀 When faced with a question you can’t answer immediately, consider asking to revisit it towards the end of the interview to give yourself more time.
• 😀 For hard skill questions, demonstrate your passion and attitude by highlighting your ability to quickly learn new tools or skills.
• 😀 If you’re unfamiliar with a particular skill or software, express your willingness to learn and share past experiences where you quickly picked up new abilities.
• 😀 For behavioral questions about scenarios you haven’t encountered, offer a hypothetical response based on how you would approach the situation.
• 😀 If you don’t have direct experience with a question, emphasize your observation of similar situations and your understanding of how to handle them.
• 😀 Always approach the interview with the confidence that even if you don’t know all the answers, you have the skills and attitude to overcome any challenge.

Q & A

What should you do if you don't understand a question during an interview?

If you don't understand a question, it's advisable to ask for clarity. You can either ask about a specific term or the entire question. Politely request the interviewer to clarify or provide an example to help you understand what they are looking for.

How does rephrasing a question help during an interview?

Rephrasing the question serves two purposes: it helps clarify the question for you and gives you time to think about your answer. For example, if you don't have an exact match for a question, you can ask if they are looking for a leadership example, which is typically the case.

What is the benefit of asking the interviewer to rephrase a question?

By asking the interviewer to rephrase the question, you can gain more time and might receive a clearer or different version of the question. This can lead to a better understanding of what they are seeking and help you provide a more relevant answer.

What should you do if you don’t have an immediate answer to a question during an interview?

If you don't have an immediate answer, you can ask to come back to the question later in the interview. This buys you time to think and allows you to provide a more structured and thoughtful response once you've had the chance to gather your thoughts.

How can you handle a question about a hard skill you don't know?

If asked about a hard skill you're not familiar with, emphasize your willingness to learn. Express your passion for learning new skills and share examples from your past where you quickly learned new tools or programs. This shows your adaptability and determination.

What should you do if you are asked a behavioral question that you haven't experienced?

If you haven’t experienced the situation, you can discuss how you would hypothetically approach it, based on your knowledge and understanding. Alternatively, you can talk about a similar situation you’ve observed or handled, and how it relates to the question.

How can you show your problem-solving capabilities when faced with a question about a situation you've never encountered?

You can demonstrate your problem-solving abilities by explaining how you would approach the situation based on your understanding. This shows that you have the ability to think critically and are capable of figuring out solutions even in unfamiliar circumstances.

How can you demonstrate that you're a quick learner during an interview?

You can demonstrate your learning ability by sharing specific examples of how you've learned new skills or tools quickly in the past. Emphasize your willingness to put in the effort to learn and adapt to new challenges, which reassures the interviewer that you can quickly acquire the necessary skills.

Is it acceptable to ask for time to think about a question during an interview?

Yes, it is completely acceptable to ask for time to think about a question. You can say something like, 'This is a great question, and I would like some time to think about it and structure my thoughts.' This shows that you want to provide a well-thought-out answer.

What can you do to leave a lasting impression if you don't know the answer to a specific question?

If you don’t know the answer to a specific question, you can send a follow-up email after the interview, addressing the question. This shows initiative, a willingness to learn, and a proactive attitude. It also reflects your commitment to solving problems and finding solutions after the interview.