Lots of us have been in that delightful situation where the interviewer asks a question, and for whatever reason, you know you're stuck for a good answer. It is a horrible feeling, you feel like you have been caught on the hop and that the temperature in the room has perhaps started to rise a little. It is actually just a blush climbing up your neck and onto your cheeks but remember:
Don't panic!
We've a few useful tips for handling these sorts of interview questions without blowing your chances:
- If you know you know the answer and it's lurking somewhere in the back of your mind, then ask your interviewer to give you a moment to think about it. Any good interviewer will know you'll be nervous, so they should be accommodating. t is important to remind yourself they are not there to deliberately catch you out with their questions but to assess you on your answers to them.
- If you really are stumped by the question, ask the interviewer to give you more detail or to clarify what they are asking. Asking them to rephrase the question in different words can sometimes allow for more clarity. It's common for employers to be stuck in their own language / corporate acronyms that might mean nothing to an outsider. So, to give yourself a better chance, just ask for some clarification.
- If you've some idea of what you're being asked, but are not sure of the right direction to take the answer in, then explain to the interviewer that you've a couple of ways to answer but wanted to understand a little more about what they are looking for, so you can provide a more meaningful response.
- If 1,2 and 3 are no good, then it's time to be honest! So, explain to the interviewer that it's a question you can't answer immediately, but then explain how, in a work-based environment, you would find the answer. That could be - you'd talk to colleagues, consult your manager, carry out some research, consult a specialist publication, etc. This should be enough to satisfy the interviewer that you are resourceful and would always find your way to a solution, rather than just remaining stumped by a question. There is nothing wrong with acknowledging the limit of your current knowledge and how you would improve in that situation.
- Do not ever say 'I'm sorry I just can't answer that' - this is the only response that will really do you a disservice. It feels evasive and interviewers don’t ever react positively to that. If you can use tip 4 above to explain how you would deal with the situation, that is by far the preferable solution in such circumstances.
Throughout all of this, remember to remain calm and as confident as you can be. Letting your nerves get the better of you after a question like this can affect how you answer the next question. Take a deep breath, smile and continue.
