Answering Interview Questions You May Not Know

Interview preparation is crucial. You can't just walk into an interview expecting to discuss your job duties and hope to be chosen based on your work alone. Despite thorough research and practice, you might encounter a question that leaves you unsure of how to respond.

Consider these strategies.

1. Take Your Time to Respond

First, acknowledge the question and indicate that you're considering it. A simple statement like, “That’s a great question. Let me think about how I would handle the situation or what I would do,” is enough as you take a moment to formulate your initial thoughts on the question.

It's important to communicate your thought process instead of remaining silent. Stay calm, organize your thoughts, prepare your response, and then answer. This demonstrates your ability to stay composed, think critically, and provide a clear answer.

2. Think Aloud

Interviewers often ask unconventional questions to assess your thought process, not the speed of your response. Share the options you're considering, the potential outcomes of each, your final decision, and the reasoning behind it. This helps the interviewer understand your thinking and the rationale for your answer, which is crucial.

For instance, if asked, “Tell me about your SEO strategy?” imagine starting as an SEO Specialist. Use transitional words like “first,” “then,” and “lastly” to structure your response. Conclude with a statement like “the process varies depending on the situation,” showing flexibility even if your answer differs from the interviewer’s expectations.

3. Redirect to Your Strengths

If you're asked about an area where you lack direct experience, redirect to a related area where you're knowledgeable.

For example, if applying for a role requiring social media marketing experience and you’re asked about it, but lack direct experience, redirect to your expertise in SEO and link building, and how you collaborated with the social media team to develop successful strategies. Share your knowledge of social media marketing gathered through prior research. Reiterate, "That’s one reason I’m excited about this role; I can apply my SEO skills to social media marketing, which can be a significant advantage if selected."

Avoid simply stating, "I do not have experience in Social Media Marketing," as it reflects poorly on your approach and attitude.

4. Provide a Positive, Researched Answer

Some questions can't be addressed by stalling, thinking aloud, or redirecting. For questions requiring specific knowledge, rely on your research about the company and industry.

For instance, if applying for a mergers and acquisitions role and asked, “What is working capital?”—and you’re unsure—have a prepared response emphasizing your enthusiasm and industry knowledge. Say, “That’s not a concept I’m familiar with yet, but I’m passionate about finance and actively learning more. I’ve been following deals and have read about your company’s involvement. I’ve also learned about the industries you advise. I believe the ongoing consolidation in the auto industry will create exciting opportunities and a chance to learn about the M&A business.”

Interviewers value not just experience and qualifications but also practical candidates with the right attitude and honesty, who don’t simply say "yes" to everything.

Think of interviews as "building your experience in attending interviews." You might not answer every question perfectly, but understanding what the hiring manager seeks to learn is already a success.