If you had to put together a list of uncomfortable interview situations, this would probably rank near the top, if not at the top itself. Sure, showing up to an interview underdressed is not favorable. Coming a little late or not as early as you’d like doesn’t look good either, but nothing feels as tense and horrible as being asked an interview question…and getting stuck. I’m talking, full-on, crickets chirping in your brain stuck.
This situation is definitely nerve-wracking. In fact, I’ve been in that situation more times than I would care to admit, because everyone has a vision of walking into the interview, suave, confident and ready to answer whatever questions the interviewer throws at you. That’s the ideal, but sometimes the reality doesn’t quite measure up. Sometimes, even if you have researched the company and prepared a set of answers to the most frequently asked questions, you might find yourself faced with a question that catches you off guard. The first thing you need to do in this situation is breathe. You’ve got this. Bayt.com, your #1 fan and all-time supporter, is here to help you with five tricks to use when stuck on an interview question.
Before we go right into it, you should consider this important point: some questions asked in an interview do not have right answers. In fact, at times the interviewer will not expect a certain answer, but rather is interested in seeing firsthand how you process your thoughts and solve problems under pressure. So, you should be true to yourself and your thought process when you answer instead of wasting too much time thinking about what they want to hear.
1. Take your time answering
By that, I don’t mean: allow yourself to succumb to a long, awkward pause. Additionally, you should do your best not to let a single, ‘Um’, ‘Uh’, or anything similar pass through your lips. What I mean is you should take a moment to process the question. Stall for time by saying something along the lines of, ‘Wow, that’s a good question! Let me just get my thoughts together.’ This will show that you are giving the question the proper consideration and will give you a minute or two to come up with a good answer.
2. Ask for clarification
This might either seem obvious or hard to believe, but it is A-OK to ask your interviewer questions. An interview, unlike an interrogation, is a two-way conversation. If you don’t understand the question, or simply don’t know if you have understood it correctly, ask for further clarification. Just ask and say that you want to provide the best possible answer. Make sure you smile and be sincere. Remember, the interviewer has probably interviewed many people before, and you will not be the first person they have come across who needed further details before answering.
3. Ask to come back to it
If you are completely thrown off by the question and find yourself absolutely incapable of coming up with an answer, you can also try the tactic of asking the interviewer to ask you another question in the meanwhile. Let them know that you would prefer to come back to this question later on in the interview. This will give your brain time to work on an answer as you go through some other questions.
4. Change the subject
Just to be clear, I’m not telling you to avoid the question altogether as that is a bad idea. Instead, I suggest that you redirect the interviewing process briefly and mention something the question reminds you of. For instance, a situation in a previous job or when handling a previous project that is relevant to the topic of the question. Throw in an anecdote about how you solved the problem or made a good decision in the past. Ensure, however, that you are not digressing too far from the question. Then, come back to the question if you can.
5. Dilute the tension with your sense of humor
Building rapport with your interviewer is essential. Neither one of you would enjoy sitting through a stiff and awkward exchange that lasts anywhere from thirty minutes to an hour. In addition, if you and your interviewer are enjoying a nice, pleasant conversation, there is a chance that they will not immediately notice you are struggling with a particular interview question. Have a sense of humor about it and say something along the lines of, ‘I was so excited about the interview and the job that my brain can’t seem to catch up.” Then laugh a little and see how the interviewer responds. At best, the interviewer will laugh and reassure you, and at worst? You bought yourself a few extra minutes.
Remember, a combination of preparation and research is the keystone of any successful job interview. However, even the best, most experienced and most prepared job seekers can get caught off guard every once in a while. Stay positive and try your best. Bayt.com is always rooting for you.
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