What if you don't know the answer to an interview question on Reddit?

Facing a question during an interview that you don’t know the answer to can be unsettling. However, it’s a common scenario, and how you handle it can significantly impact the interviewer's perception of you. Reddit users, particularly those active in subreddits like r/cscareerquestions and r/jobs, frequently share their experiences and strategies for managing such situations. Drawing from these discussions, here’s a comprehensive guide on what to do if you encounter a question you don’t know the answer to during an interview:

1. Stay Calm and Composed

Why It Matters:

• Maintaining your composure demonstrates professionalism and emotional intelligence.
• Panicking can cloud your judgment and hinder your ability to respond effectively.

How to Do It:

• Take a deep breath before responding.
• Remind yourself that it's okay not to know everything; no candidate has all the answers.

2. Acknowledge the Gap Honestly

Why It Matters:

• Honesty builds trust with the interviewer.
• Attempting to bluff can lead to mistakes and further diminish your credibility.

How to Do It:

• Use phrases like:
  • "I haven't encountered that before, but I'm eager to learn more about it."
  • "That's a great question. I don't have experience with that specific topic, but I can tell you how I would approach finding a solution."

Example:

"I haven't worked directly with Kubernetes, but I understand the basics of container orchestration and am confident I can quickly get up to speed."

3. Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills

Why It Matters:

• Employers value your ability to approach and solve unfamiliar problems.
• Showcasing your thought process can be more impressive than knowing the exact answer.

How to Do It:

• Break Down the Problem: Explain how you would tackle the question logically.
• Relate to Similar Knowledge: Connect the unknown topic to something you are familiar with.
• Outline Steps: Describe the steps you would take to find the answer or solve the problem.

Example:

"While I'm not familiar with the specific algorithm you're asking about, I would start by understanding its requirements and constraints. Then, I'd research existing solutions, perhaps looking into similar algorithms, and experiment with implementing a basic version to see how it performs."

4. Express Willingness to Learn

Why It Matters:

• Shows that you have a growth mindset and are proactive about skill development.
• Indicates adaptability, a highly sought-after trait in many roles.

How to Do It:

• Commit to Learning: Mention how you would go about acquiring the necessary knowledge.
• Reference Past Learning Experiences: Highlight instances where you successfully learned something new on the job.

Example:

"Although I haven't used that specific tool before, I'm very comfortable picking up new technologies quickly. In my last role, I had to learn a new programming language within a short timeframe, and I was able to become proficient in just a few weeks."

5. Pivot to Relevant Strengths

Why It Matters:

• Redirects the focus to areas where you excel, reinforcing your suitability for the role.
• Prevents the conversation from dwelling solely on your gaps.

How to Do It:

• Highlight Related Skills: Connect the question to your strengths or relevant experiences.
• Provide Examples: Share specific instances where your skills have contributed to successful outcomes.

Example:

"While I haven't worked with that specific database system, I have extensive experience with SQL and NoSQL databases. For instance, in my previous project, I optimized database queries to improve performance by 30%, which is a skill I believe would be transferable to managing and optimizing other database systems."

6. Ask Clarifying Questions

Why It Matters:

• Shows your engagement and desire to understand the question fully.
• May help you uncover aspects of the question you are familiar with, allowing you to provide a partial answer.

How to Do It:

• Seek Specifics: Ask for more details to narrow down the scope.
• Clarify Requirements: Ensure you understand what the interviewer is seeking in an answer.

Example:

"Could you provide a bit more context or specify which aspect of that topic you'd like me to focus on? That way, I can give a more accurate response."

7. Follow Up Post-Interview

Why It Matters:

• Demonstrates professionalism and continued interest in the role.
• Provides an opportunity to address any unanswered questions or elaborate on your approach.

How to Do It:

• Send a Thank-You Email: Mention the question you didn't know and briefly outline how you would approach learning it.
• Express Enthusiasm: Reiterate your interest in the position and how your skills align with the role.

Example:

"Thank you for the opportunity to interview for the [Job Title] position. I appreciated our discussion on [specific topic]. While I wasn't familiar with [specific question], I've already started exploring it and am excited about the potential to apply it in this role."

8. Learn from the Experience

Why It Matters:

• Turning the situation into a learning opportunity can enhance your future interview performance.
• Helps you identify areas for skill development.

How to Do It:

• Research the Question: Understand the topic you were unfamiliar with and learn about it.
• Practice Similar Questions: Use interview preparation platforms to tackle related problems.
• Seek Feedback: If possible, ask the interviewer for feedback on how you handled the situation.

Conclusion

Encountering a question you don't know the answer to in an interview is a common experience, and how you handle it can significantly influence the interviewer's impression of you. By staying calm, being honest, demonstrating your problem-solving abilities, and expressing a willingness to learn, you can turn a challenging moment into an opportunity to showcase your strengths and adaptability.

Key Takeaways:

• Stay Calm and Honest: Acknowledge when you don't know something without panicking.
• Demonstrate Problem-Solving: Show how you approach unfamiliar problems logically.
• Express Willingness to Learn: Highlight your ability to acquire new skills quickly.
• Pivot to Strengths: Redirect the conversation to areas where you excel.
• Follow Up: Use post-interview communication to reinforce your strengths and address any gaps.

By adopting these strategies, you can navigate unknown questions with confidence and leave a positive, lasting impression on your potential employer.