You're in the middle of an interview and you don't know the answer to a question. What's your next move?

There can be multiple scenarios where I am stuck in between an interview. Considering I don’t know the answer to the question at all and I think even after attempting to answer it couldn’t reach even close to the solution, so in this case I will not waste the interviewers time and neither mine and I would rather say that ,”I don’t know the answer to this question, can we please move ahead to the next question “. Second scenario, if I know the answer but I am nervous so I will take a deep breath ask to allow me to drink water and then I will try to answer the question. Third scenario where I know only how to start the answer but I don’t know the full solution, so I will start answering and I will try mould the answer as per my understanding

Be honest. Just state that you don't know the answer to the question asked, but also inquire about their perspective on it. People generally don't mind if you don't know, but they do appreciate your willingness to learn what you haven't yet mastered. When you ask them to answer the missed question, it demonstrates your eagerness to evolve and be an active participant in their endeavours. This assures them that if you were hired, you wouldn't let unfinished tasks linger due to lack of knowledge, but rather seek guidance to ensure continuity of work.

It's ok to not know every answer. Being honest and up front will signal confidence even if it means saying something like, 'I don't have an answer for that right now, but I can check and get back to you.' If you feel you are starting to panic or get anxious, remember to take deep, full breaths. Connecting your feet to the ground and opening up your posture can also help ensure you continue to send a message of confidence and reassurance, even if you are feeling intimidated or unsure of yourself.

It's crucial to maintain composure and a positive attitude, even if you're unsure of an answer. Panicking or showing visible stress can detract from your overall performance. Take a deep breath, smile, and reassure yourself that it's okay not to have all the answers. This mindset helps you stay focused and attentive during the interview.

Additionally, once you are certain that even in your calmness and positivity, you do not really know the answer, be smart enough to say simply that you do not know the answer and be forward thinking to ask what their perspective is to the answer, as you will be willing to learn from your interviewer’s depth of knowledge.

Politely request clarification or ask the interviewer to rephrase the question to ensure a clear understanding of the inquiry.

If you want to buy some time to think about the topic you can ask for clarification or you can rephrase the question in your own words. This will help you in analysing a good answer for the question that interviewer has asked

Seeking clarification during an interview is advantageous from any perspective. It highlights a commitment to clear communication and a desire to fully grasp the question before responding. Furthermore, it showcases an individual's proactive approach to engaging with interviewers and seeking clarity when necessary, which can enhance their overall performance during the interview process.

If you're unsure about a question, it's perfectly acceptable to ask the interviewer to clarify or rephrase it. This demonstrates your willingness to understand the question fully and ensures you provide the best possible answer. Politely asking for clarification also shows that you value clear communication, an essential skill in any role.

If you're unsure about the question, don't hesitate to ask the interviewer for clarification or ask them to rephrase the question. This demonstrates your willingness to ensure clear communication and shows your commitment to understanding the question thoroughly before responding.

STAR technique is one of the best option in this situation . Utilising this technique will definitely make your overcome the situation you are facing during the interview and also will definitely make the interviewer understand you have the strategy for every situation which is one of the important quality to possess at the crucial moment when you have to make decision making at a very crucial moments which is part of your journey in your work .

In a past interview, I was asked about a challenging project I had worked on. While I had several projects in mind, I wasn't sure which one would best fit the question. I used the STAR method to structure my response, starting with a brief description of the project (Situation), outlining the specific challenges I faced (Task), detailing the actions I took to overcome these challenges (Action), and finally, highlighting the successful outcomes (Result). This method not only helped me provide a well-organized answer but also demonstrated my ability to handle challenges effectively.

Practice at least 2 STAR responses before your interview. - Write them down. Describe each area of STAR with actual examples in which you excelled in a challenging situation. - Rehearse these verbally. Practicing them out loud (with friends, family, your camera, a mirror) before the interview can help engrain the STAR method in case you need to pull a new example during an interview. - If you lack experience in the field, use a transferrable situation (e.g., if you're a barista applying for a healthcare position, you can identify a situation where you enacted 'conflict resolution' or 'de-escalation' of irate customers to demonstrate transferrable skills.

If the question pertains to a past experience or scenario, consider using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your response. Start by describing the situation or context, outline the task or challenge you faced, explain the actions you took to address it, and conclude with the results or outcomes achieved. This structured approach can help you organize your thoughts and provide a comprehensive answer.

Admitting that you don't know an answer won't make you less worthy for that particular job. Just try to focus on what you actually know and be honest with questions that you don't know Just accept it positively and move on towards the interview

Honesty and transparency can go a long way in an interview. If you don't know the answer to a question, it's better to admit it than to attempt to bluff your way through. However, you can follow up by showcasing your problem-solving skills and willingness to learn: Admit lack of knowledge: Politely acknowledge that you're not familiar with the specific topic or question. Transition to related knowledge: Share your related experiences or knowledge that may be relevant to the question. Express willingness to learn: Emphasize your eagerness to learn and adapt. This approach demonstrates humility, honesty, and a positive attitude, which are valuable traits employers appreciate.

The Attitude matters the most. We cannot know answers for all questions. While it’s important to address this, we must not panic. Few steps for handling a tough question during interviews admit you do not know the answer speak on the topic from your understanding narrate experiences on being in similar situations in past do not overdo your reply stick to the time gauge the interviewer body language keep it relevant There could be times when beyond all this, the interview isn’t turning out in the way you desired. That is perfectly ok. You must assure that you did give your best. Self assurance is the key. We radiate these feelings to interviewers. Keep it genuine. Go back to the process framework to give it the best next time.

If you genuinely don't know the answer to a question, it's okay to admit it. However, use the opportunity to showcase your problem-solving skills, critical thinking abilities, and willingness to learn. Offer insights into how you would approach finding the answer or address similar situations in the future. Emphasize your relevant experiences, skills, and knowledge that are applicable to the role.

Candidly acknowledge any gaps in knowledge while pivoting to showcase proficiency in related subjects or experiences, emphasizing problem-solving skills and a willingness to learn.

Always send a thank-you message after interviewing for the job you want. - This can be via email, but hand-written is nice as well. - Send it as soon as possible. No later than 3 days. It shows that you are: - interested in the position - able to build relationships It may be the step that excels you over other candidates to get the job you want.

If you don't know an answer during an interview, honesty is key. Instead of making up an answer or staying silent, be honest. Acknowledge that you're unsure, but let me know your willingness to learn and find the answer. Please ask for clarification or offer to follow up with a more informed response later. This shows integrity, humility, and a proactive attitude, which can leave a positive impression on the interviewer.

It is okay not being able to answer to a question. Be polite and accept that you do not have the adequate knowledge on the subject matter to answer the question. If you have any idea about the subject, you can request some time to think and then give your answer and if it is completely unknown, you can acknowledge the same to the interviewer and seek his /her guidance on the same. This will display your curious nature towards learning new things.

Stay confident: Remember that interviews are not just about providing perfect answers but also about demonstrating your potential and fit for the role. Approach the situation with confidence in your abilities and experiences. Prepare for future interviews: Use this experience as a learning opportunity to identify areas for improvement and refine your interview skills. Practice responding to common interview questions and continue to research and prepare for future interviews.

When I was media trained, the first lesson was always to answer with what you want to say. That is, you decide what information you want to give. If you don't know the answer and also don't want to give it, that's okay too!