What To Do If You're Stumped During An Interview

What to Do If You're Stumped During an Interview

When you don't know how to answer a question during an interview, the silence can seem excruciating. You might even wish the floor would open up and swallow you whole. Keep these tips in mind the next time you're strapped for an answer.

This post originally appeared on POPSUGAR Smart Living.

Calm Down


Don't Say "I Don't Know" Off the Bat


Ask Questions


Tell Your Interviewer What You Do Know


Tell Them How You Would Find the Answer


For example, if you need to calculate something and you're not good at maths, you can respond with "I can't do the calculations off the top of my head, but I think these calculations will give me the answer. And what I can do is use a calculator to find that answer." Showing a little honesty shows vulnerability and transparency. It also makes you more likable.

Know the Right Time to Come Clean


Send a Follow-Up Email


What You Should Do If You're Stumped During an Interview [POPSUGAR Smart Living]

Emily Co is an editor at POPSUGAR.


    If this is the Public Service interview:
    The gist of the article is not to be flustered. It's good advice to ask about the question as you may not understand it, and it also gives you a little time. Asking questions will/may demonstrate how quickly you can understand a problem, that in itself is a good sign.

    "Tell the interviewer what you do know" is fine if you keep it brief. People who feel caught out often try to cover with guff. It does not work. In the PS interviewers must fill out a report and rate the answer, it is a grading system, what you lose on this question you may gain on another. Don't say nothing but don't waste too much time saying very little either.

    In my experience people spend much more time on the questions they know little about or have misunderstood. This problem is compounded by interviewers who must not only listen to wrong answers and fluff, but will give the interviewee the benefit of nervousness and re-frame a question if they think they have misunderstood.

    The PS grading system is meant to ensure fairness. In other environments I think it might be different where some skills are more important than others. Nevertheless, say your piece ask the questions then move on. Remember, if you don't get the job because you don't fit their criteria you are probably better off working somewhere else.

    The way I handle it is to say "That's a great question, I'm going to moment to think about that." It buys you a little bit of less awkward silence.

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