Answering Interview Questions You Don't Know the Answer To

No matter how well you have prepared for your interview, chances are you'll be confronted with questions you don't know how to answer. Most people are nervous about this possibility when interviewing--but don't be nervous! Here are two techniques you can use to answer those questions and put a positive spin on a nerve-wracking situation.

When you're asked a question you don't know the answer to, the best way to show how smart and capable you really are is to use the following strategy:

Here's what I know/Here's what I don't know
Here's how I'll figure it out

Here's What I Know/Here's What I Don't Know

For example, let's say you're interviewing for a brand manager position. The interviewer asks if you're aware of what their competitor's market share is. If you know, great. If you don't?

Well, hopefully you've paid attention to industry news and know that the competitor's most recent marketing campaign was a flop and that the company is in the process of redesigning its packaging. Instead of saying, "I don't know," say something like, "I know their recent marketing campaign wasn't well received, and they're also reworking their packaging. I'm sure that has had an effect on their numbers."

Don't try to fake it or make up an answer. You can admit that you don't have the exact information they are looking for, but also show that you're not completely ignorant of the situation.

Here's How I'll Figure It Out

You can now tell them how you would go about getting the information. Give an example, "If I was working for you and you asked me that question, I would..." and tell them exactly where and how you would go about finding the answer. Again, instead of displaying your ignorance on the exact subject at hand, you can display your knowledge about the industry and your competence on the job.

You can even offer to prove your competence to them. "After I leave here, I'd be glad to go take a look at the data and get back to you with those numbers."

In an interview, you want to show that you're a smart, competent and capable professional. You know you can't be expected to know everything--your goal is not to sound like you don't know anything.

The Seek-and-Reply Technique

The Seek-and-Reply Technique allows you to:

Understand the interviewer's question more clearly.
Gain rapport with your interviewer and engage them in your answer.
Take control of your answer presentation.

How does it work?

When you are asked a question that you don't know how to answer, figure out what you don't know and what you need to know in order to answer the question. Then try to gain more information.

Begin your answer by using phrases such as, "to the best of my knowledge," "if I'm understanding you correctly, you want me to tell you...", or "from what I understand."

Then start by giving the information that you do know. Stop frequently to ask your interviewer, "Am I telling you what you need to know?" or, "Is this the type of answer you were looking for?"

You are now putting the ball in the interviewer's court. You're guiding them to provide further information and the answers in their mind. Your strategy is to dig out what is in their mind when they are asking the difficult question.

Then, you can quickly adapt your answers to the information they contribute after your questions. When you're put on the spot in an interview and find yourself stumbling over an answer, take a moment to remember these strategies. There's nothing wrong with not knowing something, but it's important to know how to admit it correctly.

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