What to say when you can not answer an interview question.

In any job interview, it is possible you will encounter tough interview questions where you do not know what to say when you cannot answer an interview question.

– What do you do when you can’t answer an interview question?
– What to say when you don’t have an answer?
– How to answer an interview question when you don’t have the experience?

Here are 3 great options to have ready of what to say when you cannot answer an interview question:

OPTION #1
Tell the interviewer you do not know the answer to the interview question, but that you will get back to them with an answer when you get back from the interview!

** FOLLOW UP EMAIL WHEN YOU CANNOT ANSWER AN INTERVIEW QUESTION **

Dear sir,

RE: Answer to today’s interview question and thank you.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be interviewed today for the position of xxx.

During the interview, I promised to come back to you with the answer to the interview question, xxx.

My answer is as follows:

(INSERT THE ANSWER HERE)

I thoroughly enjoyed the interview process and I very much look forward to working for your organization if I am successful.

If you need any further information from me, please do not hesitate to ask.

Yours faithfully,

INSERT YOUR NAME HERE
INSERT YOUR MOBILE NUMBER HERE

OPTION #2
Give yourself some time and ask the interviewer if it is OK to come back to the interview question later in the interview.

OPTION #3
If they ask you a behavioral interview question, but you have never been in that situation before, tell them about a time when you observed the situation being played out by someone else.
For example, if the interviewer asks you the question:
“Tell me about a time you delivered excellent customer service.”
Instead of saying…
“I’ve never been in that situation before, so I cannot give you an answer, sorry.”
Tell them about a time you were on the receiving end of good customer service!