What To Say In An Interview When You Don’T Know The Answer?

Here are some steps and strategies you can use to answer interview questions you don’t know with professionalism and confidence:

  • Take your time.
  • Think aloud.
  • Admit you’re unsure.
  • Use flexible thinking.
  • Repeat the question.
  • Ask follow-up questions.
  • Offer to come back to the question later.
  • Acknowledge the question’s value.

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What to say to an interviewer if you don’t know the answer?

Don’t hesitate to ask for clarification.
Sometimes you may not know how to answer an interview question because you aren’t quite sure what the interviewer is asking. In this case, ask for clarification either by repeating the question back to them in your own words or by saying something like, “That’s a great question.

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Is it okay to answer I don’t know in an interview?

Firstly, it is perfectly fine to respond with ‘I don’t know’ to a question one is not clear about. One can of course, take time to mull over the answer to a tricky question. No one is rushing one, so, it is up to the candidates to gather their thoughts and answer in the best possible manner.

What would you do if you didn’t know an answer to the asked question?

What You Should Do If You’re Stumped During an Interview

  1. Calm down. First of all, the most important thing to do is stay calm.
  2. Don’t say, “I don’t know,” off the bat.
  3. Ask questions.
  4. Tell your interviewer what you do know.
  5. Tell them how you would find the answer.
  6. Know the right time to come clean.
  7. Send a follow-up email.
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What to say instead of I don’t know?

Here are 8 alternatives to “I don’t know”:

  • “Would you mind repeating the question?”
  • “Can I get a few more minutes to think about it?”
  • “I’m not sure, but here is what I DO know…”
  • “This is my best guess …”
  • “I’m not quite sure …
  • “May I ask a friend for help?”

How do you say I don’t know professionally?

Here are a few other ways to say it that can help preserve your credibility, and even build it. “I don’t know the answer to that, but I’m anxious to find out.” “Let me tell you what I know, and what I’m still learning.” “That’s an important question and I don’t want to give you a half answer.

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What questions should I ask at the end of an interview?

20 smart questions to ask at the end of your next job interview

  • What do you personally like most about working for this organisation?
  • How would you describe your organisation’s culture?
  • Can you tell me about the kind of supervision you provide?
  • What have past employees done to succeed in this position?

Should you give a smile to the interviewer?

During the first few seconds of the interview, a friendly smile will tell the interviewer you are easy going and enthusiastic. It also shows that you are confident in your abilities and eager to help others along. Those who smile more also help create a more pleasant environment.

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How do you answer why should we hire you?

How to Answer Why Should We Hire You

  1. Show that you have skills and experience to do the job and deliver great results.
  2. Highlight that you’ll fit in and be a great addition to the team.
  3. Describe how hiring you will make their life easier and help them achieve more.

What can I replace I know with?

Other Ways To Say ‘I Know’, ‘I Understand’

  • Of course – This might be used when someone asks you if you understand.
  • I see your point/I take your point/I see where you are coming from – This might be used when you are acknowledging that you understand what someone is saying but you do not necessarily agree with them.
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How do you say I will let you know professionally?

You can try the following:
I will keep you updated. I will get back to you on this in some time. I will keep you posted. I will inform you at my earliest (a little more formal however)

Why do you want this job?

Talk about specific examples of how you can help this company achieve their goals and highlight any relevant transferrable skills that will make you stand out as the right candidate. Write down any recent achievements you can talk about or any challenges you’ve faced recently that might be related to this new job.

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What are the 3 best questions to ask in an interview?

Best Questions to Ask the Interviewer

  • How would you describe the responsibilities of the position?
  • What are you looking for in a candidate?
  • What are the biggest challenges of this job?
  • How would you describe a typical day in this position?
  • What is the typical work week?
  • Is overtime expected?

How do you answer tell me about yourself?

A simple formula for answering “Tell me about yourself”
Present: Talk a little bit about what your current role is, the scope of it, and perhaps a big recent accomplishment. Past: Tell the interviewer how you got there and/or mention previous experience that’s relevant to the job and company you’re applying for.

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How do I make a good impression at a job interview?

Here are some suggestions for making a great first impression.

  1. The Interviewer Is The Most Important Person In The World.
  2. Eye Contact, Smiling And Body Language.
  3. Ask Questions That Show You Are Interested.
  4. Mirror The Interviewer.
  5. Always Be Positive, Genuine And Authentic.

How early should you be for an interview?

Arriving 15 to 20 minutes before your scheduled interview is acceptable. Any more than that, and you may be sending the wrong message. Plus if you arrive too early, the staff may feel like they need to entertain you or continue offering you coffee, etc. They’re trying to make a good impression too.

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What dress should a candidate wear for an interview?

Business formal is seen as the standard interview dress code, whether you are male or female. When you are interviewing for a job with a company that requires business formal, it is important to dress a little more formal than the company standard.

What to say instead of I want to get to know you better?

Firstly, get to know and gain a better insight into are not quite the same. Your choice of the right phrase depends on the depth/ extent to which you want to know.
Some options are:

  1. to familiarize oneself [better];
  2. to acquaint oneself [better]; or.
  3. to master (a subject matter or process).
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How do you say yeah I know politely?

Polite Ways to Say Yes in English

  1. Yeah, sure. Here you go.
  2. No problem! I’m always happy to help.
  3. Yep! I will be right there. (Yep is another informal way to say yes like yeah.)
  4. Yeah, I’d be happy to!
  5. Cool. (Yes, cool can really be used to say yes or to show agreement.)
  6. You got it.
  7. Okay.

What’s another way of saying I want to get to know you?

What is another word for get to know?

meet become acquainted with
come across become acquainted
be introduced to fall in with
run into be introduced
make acquaintance make the acquaintance of
What To Say In An Interview When You Don’T Know The Answer?