What if I don't understand a question in an interview?

If you don’t understand a question during a coding interview, it’s perfectly fine and even expected to ask for clarification. Interviewers want to see that you’re thoughtful in your approach and fully understand the problem before diving into the solution. Here's how to handle this situation effectively:

1. Stay Calm and Composed

First, don’t panic or feel embarrassed. It's common not to understand every question right away, and asking for clarification is part of the process. Remaining calm will help you think clearly and ask the right questions.

2. Ask Clarifying Questions

It’s important to ensure you fully understand the problem before starting. Asking clarifying questions shows that you’re careful and detail-oriented. Here are examples of questions you can ask:

• "Could you please clarify what the input format looks like?"
• "Can you give me an example of how the input maps to the output?"
• "Do we need to handle any edge cases, like empty inputs or large datasets?"
• "Are there any specific constraints or performance requirements for this solution?"

By asking these questions, you get a clearer picture of the problem and ensure you won’t waste time coding the wrong solution.

3. Restate the Problem in Your Own Words

Once you think you understand the question, it’s a good idea to restate it in your own words and check if you're on the right track. This helps both you and the interviewer confirm that you’re aligned.

Example:

Original Question: "Find the longest substring without repeating characters." Your Response: "So, I need to find the longest continuous substring in a given string where no characters repeat. Is that correct?"

This approach shows the interviewer that you’re thorough and ensures you’re solving the right problem.

4. Request an Example Input/Output

Sometimes, getting a concrete example from the interviewer helps clarify the problem.

Example Question:

"Can you provide an example input and the expected output for this problem?"

Example Response from the Interviewer:

• Input: "abcabcbb"
• Output: 3 (the longest substring without repeating characters is "abc")

Now you can use this example to better understand how the problem works and what is expected.

5. Break Down the Problem into Smaller Parts

If the problem is complex, break it down into smaller, more manageable steps. This will help you focus on understanding each part separately.

Example:

If the question is "Design a scalable chat application like WhatsApp," you can start by asking:

• "Should I focus on the messaging system or the database design first?"
• "Do I need to think about scalability or just the basic functionality?"

Breaking the problem into smaller parts makes it easier to clarify individual sections with the interviewer.

6. Reassure the Interviewer with Your Plan

Even after getting clarification, you can still check with the interviewer to make sure you're going in the right direction.

Example:

"Based on what I understand, I’ll approach this by first handling [X], then optimizing for [Y]. Does that sound good?"

This gives the interviewer an opportunity to provide feedback before you start coding, ensuring you’re aligned.

7. Take Time to Think Before Responding

If you still feel unsure after the explanation, it’s okay to take a moment to think. A brief pause helps you organize your thoughts and determine the next step.

You can say:

• "Give me a moment to think this through."
• "Let me process that for a second and figure out how I would approach it."

Taking a few seconds to think ensures that you approach the problem logically instead of rushing into a wrong solution.

8. Ask for Hints (If Appropriate)

If you’re still unsure after asking clarifying questions, you can politely ask the interviewer for a hint or guidance. Many interviewers are willing to provide subtle hints to guide you in the right direction.

Example:

• "I’m thinking about approaching this problem using a hash map, but I’m not sure if that’s the most efficient way. Do you think I’m on the right track?"
• "Should I focus on optimizing the time complexity first, or is there another aspect you’d like me to consider?"

The interviewer may give you small tips that can help you better understand the problem or point you toward a better solution.

9. Defer to Another Approach

If the interviewer suggests an approach that you’re unfamiliar with, it’s okay to acknowledge this and pivot to a different, simpler strategy that you are confident in.

Example:

Interviewer: "You could solve this problem using dynamic programming." You: "I’m not as familiar with dynamic programming, but I can try an approach using recursion and optimize it from there. Does that sound good?"

This shows that you are adaptable and can still make progress without getting stuck.

10. Be Honest if You Don’t Know

If after asking clarifying questions, you still don’t understand the problem or feel completely lost, it’s better to be honest with the interviewer than to fake it.

Example:

• "I’m not entirely familiar with this specific concept, but I’d like to give it a try."
• "I’ve never solved this type of problem before, but I can walk through what I do know and see how far I can get."

Being honest about your limitations while showing willingness to learn is often viewed positively by interviewers.

Conclusion

Not understanding a coding interview question happens to everyone, and it's okay! The key is to ask for clarification, restate the problem, and ensure you fully understand the requirements before diving into the solution. Interviewers appreciate thoughtful candidates who take the time to grasp the problem correctly rather than rushing to code something incorrect. By asking clarifying questions, explaining your thought process, and being honest when needed, you can turn a potentially difficult moment into an opportunity to showcase your problem-solving skills and communication abilities.