Interview What if You Dont Know the Answer

Preparing for interviews is serious business. But even if you practice, and do, and do, you could nonetheless get a question you lot just don't know how to answer. Whether information technology'southward a technical question on something yous've never heard of before or but something completely unexpected, a question that stumps you tin really throw off the pacing of the conversation and leave yous a bit shaken up.

So, what should y'all practice when you go interview questions that you accept no idea how to reply to? Try one of these pain-free approaches.

1. Accept Your Time

First things starting time: Admit that the question was asked and that y'all're thinking about information technology. Something as simple every bit, "Hmm…that's a neat question. Let me think nearly that," will suffice as you have some time to work through your first thoughts on how to approach the question.

This is important to remember, especially since it's so natural to make full up whatsoever empty airspace with words to avoid awkward silences. Accept a bit of fourth dimension to gather your thoughts and make sure you don't blurt out annihilation that gives away that you're—well, completely stumped.

two. Remember Aloud

Remember that half the time, hiring managers are asking catchy questions not to hear yous spurt out the correct answer immediately, just to get a better sense of how yous think through issues. So, afterwards you've taken a infinitesimal to gather your thoughts, try explaining succinctly where your thoughts have been and go forrad from there.

For example, if you lot go asked something similar, "Tell me nigh your copyediting process for long form articles," and you don't actually have a procedure (yet), a good arroyo would be to imagine that you're editing that article and share the steps out loud. Add transitional adverbs like "first," "then," and "lastly" to give your answer some structure. You can besides terminate off with a qualifying statement that "the process varies depending on the situation," which shows that yous're flexible even if your answer isn't what the hiring manager would exercise.

3. Redirect

If you're asked a question that you really tin't work through, ain up and attempt redirecting to an area you lot are familiar with. You may non be able to speak to a certain skill directly, but if you're able to connect information technology to similar skills, you're much better off than just saying you don't have the skill they're looking for.

For case, say you practical for a position that requires social media marketing feel and are asked most your experience in this type of marketing. If y'all but don't have information technology, try redirecting the answer to something you do accept experience with.

In this instance, you could movement toward your experience in social media community management or impress marketing and say, "That's ane of the reasons I'k then excited nearly this position. I have extensive experience in social media community management from blogging in my previous position, as well as experience with impress marketing for my professional arrangement. I think I'yard very well equipped to combine these 2 skills into the necessary social media marketing for your production, especially since your company has been focusing its efforts in edifice up a community."

4. Take a Neglect-Rubber

Of class, you might get a question that no amount of stalling, thinking aloud, or redirecting can assist with. Questions that phone call for definitions or understanding of concepts that you don't know can't simply be worked through on the spot. For these questions, lean on the research y'all've washed about the company and industry the position is in.

Say you're applying for a mergers and acquisitions position in finance and are asked, "What is working capital?"—and you lot really just have no idea. Be prepared with a fail-safe answer that focuses on your enthusiasm for the position and knowledge of the industry. Something similar, "That's non a concept I'm actually familiar with yet, but finance is something I'm really excited about, and I've been actively trying to learn more. I've been keeping up with deals and take read about a few that your company has been involved in. I've likewise learned a lot about the industries that you lot suggest. I remember the consolidation that's going on in the motorcar manufacture is going to create a lot of interesting opportunities going forward, and it'll be an opportunity to acquire a great bargain most the M&A business organization."

Above all, learn from all your interview experiences. And call up that regardless of what question you get, consider what the hiring manager is really trying to learn from the question. Yous may not be able to answer the actual question asked, but if you're able to figure out what the hiring manager is really trying to learn with the question and assuage whatever business concern he or she might have—you've already done well.

Lily Zhang is a career counselor at the MIT Media Lab, where she works with a range of students from AI experts to interaction designers on crafting their own unique career paths. When she'due south not indulging in a new book or video game, she's thinking nearly, talking about, or writing about careers. You can find her on LinkedIn, Twitter, and her website.

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Source: https://www.themuse.com/advice/4-ways-to-handle-interview-questions-you-dont-know-how-to-answer

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