Tech interviews are known for being rigorous and challenging, which often leads candidates to stress about their performance on the big day.
Despite ample preparation, you may encounter a question to which you simply don’t know the answer.
As a tech career coach, I can attest that this is one of the biggest fears job seekers express leading up to interviews.
What should you do if you don’t know the answer to an interview question? Is it okay to simply say “I don’t know,” or are there better ways to respond? Continue reading to ensure you head into your next interview feeling prepared and confident.
What Happens If I Don’t Know The Answer In An Interview?
The prospect of not having an answer to an interview question can be nerve-wracking.
This challenge can be particularly daunting for tech professionals and executives who began their careers in highly technical roles that demanded right or wrong answers.
While technical interviews may require precise knowledge of specific software and coding languages, interviews at the management and executive levels often involve fewer definitive answers.
As you climb the ranks in the tech industry, the focus shifts from merely having the right answer to demonstrating your ability to communicate your leadership style, your history of success, and your strategic approach.
Moreover, interviewers are often assessing your critical thinking and communication skills, particularly when you don’t have the “perfect answer” readily available.
In fact, some interviewers intentionally pose challenging questions to gauge how candidates handle difficult conversations. This provides them with powerful insights into how candidates will perform in their work environment.
Simply put, not knowing the answer to an interview question often isn’t a big deal, so long as you respond thoughtfully and communicate effectively.
Is It Okay To Say, “I Don’t Know” In An Interview?
Honesty and authenticity are incredibly powerful tools during interviews. However, interviews are also about presenting yourself in the best light possible and demonstrating how you operate in a work setting.
Consequently, you want to respond thoughtfully rather than saying, “I don’t know,” when faced with an interview question for which you lack an answer.
While it’s perfectly acceptable to not know the answer, what truly matters is knowing how to respond effectively when you encounter uncertainty in a work setting.
What To Do When You Don’t Know The Answer In An Interview
So, how should you respond to interview questions when you don’t know the answer? Here’s what to do instead of saying, “I don’t know”:
1. Stay calm.
Begin by remaining calm. Even if you’re feeling internally stressed, you want to maintain your external composure. Take a deep breath (or two) before responding, in order to keep yourself centered.
2. Ask additional questions.
Just as you would when faced with uncertainty in a work meeting, start by asking follow-up questions. As an interview coach, I find that clients often need a moment to gather their thoughts, and asking thoughtful questions is a great way to buy yourself some time.
You might ask questions like:
- “Can you clarify what you mean by…?”
- “Could you provide more context about…?”
- “What specific aspects are most important to you?
Asking questions also helps the interviewer understand how you think, which is a key focus of the conversation.
3. Share your thought process aloud.
Speaking of which, consider sharing your thought process aloud. This might sound like:
- “Some assumptions I would make are…”
- “Based on my experience with…”
- “I would typically approach this by…”
Doing this really allows the interviewer to understand how you think and approach problem-solving in real time.
4. Focus on what you do know.
As you formulate your response, concentrate on what you do know. Avoid the mistake of drawing unnecessary attention to any lack of experience. Steer clear of phrases like:
- “I’ve never…”
- “I haven’t…”
- “I’m not…”
Instead, share relevant experiences that are similar, even if they aren’t a perfect match. For example, if the interviewer asks about a specific technology you haven’t ever used, you might explain how you successfully adapted to a similar one in the past.
Keep in mind that interviewers often ask specific questions but remain open to related answers; they don’t necessarily expect a direct response for every question. If they do seek something more specific, they will often probe further. Additionally, feel free to ask, “Does that answer your question?” or “Was that example helpful?”
[Read: How Learning Improv Can Make You A Better Interviewee]
5. Explain how you would approach it.
If you’re asked for an example related to something you’ve never done, describe how you would approach the situation instead. For example:
- “I would…”
This shows your ability to think critically about the task at hand and your willingness to step outside your comfort zone.
6. Circle back after the interview.
Lastly, if you simply can’t think of an answer during the interview or want to elaborate on your response later, consider including additional insights in your thank-you note to the interviewer.
Final Thoughts
Although it may feel overwhelming in the moment, not knowing the answer to an interview question isn’t the end of the world and won’t necessarily prevent you from landing the job.
The key is to remain calm and centered. Focus your response on what you do know, and share your thought process aloud. Additionally, asking follow-up questions can buy you some time as you think. Don’t forget that you can also send a follow-up email after the interview with any additional insights that come to you later.
If you’d like the support of a trained professional as you prepare for your big day, please feel free to reach out or schedule a consultation. I’m here for you! You’ve got this!
