Here's how you can navigate a difficult or unexpected interview question.

In that sort of situation I buy myself a bit of time by saying ‘That’s a great question’ and feeling comfortable enough for a few seconds of silence whilst I collect my thoughts.

Navigating difficult or unexpected interview questions requires a calm and strategic approach. When faced with a challenging question, I take a moment to gather my thoughts and ensure I understand the query fully. I often employ the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure my response, which helps me articulate my experience clearly. If a question catches me off guard, I respond with honesty and transparency, acknowledging that it’s a tough question but showing my willingness to engage with it. I also pivot the conversation to my strengths and relevant experiences that align with the role. This approach not only demonstrates my problem-solving skills but also my adaptability under pressure.

Navigating a difficult or unexpected interview question requires a calm and strategic approach. First, take a moment to gather your thoughts before responding. In my experience, it's crucial to stay composed and not rush your answer. If needed, ask for clarification to ensure you understand the question fully. Draw from your past experiences and align your response with the job you're applying for. For example, when asked about handling failure, I shared a specific instance where a project didn't go as planned, highlighted the lessons learned, and how I applied those lessons to achieve future success. This approach demonstrates resilience, adaptability, and a proactive mindset, making a strong impression.

Staying calm is crucial when facing a tough question. Panicking can indeed cloud your judgment. Taking a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts shows that you're thoughtful and deliberate. It’s perfectly okay to pause before answering; it demonstrates that you’re carefully considering your response. This composure signals to the interviewer that you can handle pressure effectively—an important quality in any role. Great advice!

Facing a tough or unexpected interview question can be daunting, but it's a great opportunity to showcase your problem-solving skills and adaptability. Take a deep breath, and give yourself a moment to think. Start by clarifying the question if needed, to ensure you understand it correctly. Then, structure your response logically, addressing each part of the question. Share relevant experiences or examples to illustrate your point. If you don’t know the answer, be honest and explain how you would go about finding a solution. Remember, the interviewer is often more interested in your thought process and how you handle challenges than in getting a perfect answer.

Interviewees should be well-prepared for challenging questions, but the true test comes from unexpected ones. They can be intended to assess your ability to think on your feet. However, they can also stem from inexperienced interviewers or, worse, people who enjoy exerting power over candidates. In the former case, you might be asked about hypothetical yet plausible scenarios, such as “What would you do if xxx ?” Here, take your time and answer as thoughtfully as possible. In the latter case, the question may be abstract and seemingly irrelevant, like “If you were an animal, which one would you be and why? ” Pushing back is, in my opinion, the best option. A suitable response can be, “I’d be happy to answer that if you do too !”

Difficult questions often aim to assess key attributes like problem-solving skills, stress management, and your thought process. When faced with an unexpected question, understanding the interviewer’s intent can help you tailor your response effectively. For instance, if asked about a failure, the focus is usually on your resilience and ability to learn from mistakes. Recognizing this can help you turn a challenging question into an opportunity to highlight your strengths. Great insight!

When crafting your STAR response, be focused on your actual contributions to the situation. Often, candidates give answers that start with, "We were dealing with [situation] and we did this," which makes it difficult for the interviewer to understand your own individual skill in that situation. Often situations involve other teammates and it's good to not take credit for others work, so make sure you're highlighting your own contribution and skills. Otherwise, interviewers may be left with more questions.

I find the STAR technique—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to be incredibly helpful for structuring replies. It’s a great way to ensure your answers are clear and organized. By setting the scene, explaining the challenge, describing your actions, and sharing the outcome, you stay focused and effectively communicate your skills. This approach really helps in showcasing your ability to think critically and communicate clearly, which are crucial in any role. Thanks for highlighting this!

Honesty is key during interviews. If you're unsure of an answer or haven't faced a specific situation, it’s perfectly fine to admit it. You can then pivot to a related experience or discuss how you would approach the scenario hypothetically. Interviewers value integrity and transparency, and being truthful helps you avoid getting caught in a lie, which could hurt your chances. Great advice!

1) Clarify the question for what you understand they are asking for - start by showing them you know what they want to see (or, find out what it IS they are looking for) 2) Be honest, "If I'm being honest here, that isn't an area I've directly experienced. However, I do have some relevant experience doing XYZ, can I walk you through that?" Recognizing what you are lacking AND recognizing how your current skills apply are EQUALLY important. Hiring teams try hire the best-fit candidate, and will always avoid someone who lies before reaching an offer letter!

Honestly is crucial during an interview. When navigating a difficult interview question, take time before answering. If you are not sure of the answer, be honest and if possible try to talk through any experience you have which may be relevant to providing a potential solution. In my experience honestly is always appreciated, and BS can quickly be found out.

When answering interview questions, communicating that you don't know/haven't experienced something can be as important areas you have covered. If it isn't on your cv you aren't expected to know it and some interviewers will actually want to see how you react. Being clear on what you have and haven't done, your understanding of the area, how you would approach it, and other examples of getting up to speed on new areas are all good ways of responding. Also be enthusiastic about areas that are new to you. Often the major selling points of a new role are having new areas to cover.

As someone who has interviewed a lot of folks and been told I hire great talent: this is what I look for and applies to difficult or easy questions. 1. Did you answer the entire question? I would rather someone ask what the question was again so they can write it down and fully answer it than someone who is too proud/worried to be embarrassed to ask. 2. Did you tie your answer to how you plan on using that skill, what you learned, etc.. into the role you are interviewing for?

I believe that positive reflection is paramount when interviewing. Many times, as an interviewer, I am more interested in the "how did you handle this experience" or "what did you learn from this experience" than the experience itself. Regardless of the position or the industry, adversity is going to arise throughout your career that you might not be able to anticipate. Dealing with this adversity with a positive attitude, overcoming said adversity, and reflecting positively on what you learned is more important than the adversity itself. Be prepared to articulate how you have overcome challenges, what you learned, and convey that experience without unnecessary negativity. Employers want to hire candidates that can find the silver lining!

I’ve interviewed 5,000+ people and ask these 3 questions when hiring: 1. Can this person be amazing at what we need them to do today? 2. Can this person grow/ evolve as their role/the company evolves? 3. Does this person have a 10X factor? Happy hiring! ?? *credit: Leila Hormozi for the epic questions I swear by. ??