What if you can't think of an answer to an interview question?

Even if you prep enough for your interview you may still get a question you don’t know how to answer. What should you do if this happens?

Don’t panic

I know this situation is everyone’s interview nightmare, but you can handle it. Most importantly, stay calm. Not knowing how to answer a question is actually a normal thing and it can happen to us all. If you stay calm, you’ll be able to deal with it.

Take your time

There are a few techniques you can use that are basically various ways of stalling to give yourself some extra time to think.

One of your options is to acknowledge that the question was asked and that you’re thinking about it.

You can say, “That’s a great question. Let me think about that.”

Or you can say, “Let me think about that for a second.”

Then you can be silent for a few seconds before you start talking. You don’t want to wait too long, 4-5 seconds is long enough, but this can give you a few extra seconds to gather your thoughts.

Ask for time

Instead of saying you’re going to take a moment to think, you can also change this slightly and ask for a moment to think.

“I need a moment to think about that.”

Repeat the question

Sometimes all you need to think of an intelligent answer is a few extra seconds.

Try repeating the question.

If they ask, “Why do you want to work at Amazon?”

You can say, “Ah, you’d like to know why I want to work here. Okay.”

Or if they ask this, “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

You can say, “In five years, I’d like to be…”

This can buy you a few extra seconds to think of a solid response.

Ask them to repeat or rephrase the question

You can ask them to repeat or rephrase the question or say that you don’t understand the question and could they clarify.

Don’t use this more than once because it will look like you’re not paying attention.

Talk about the question

When you’ve tried repeating the question, try focusing on it instead. Say things like "that's a really good question" or "I was wondering when this question would come up" or "I was hoping you would address that topic."

Again, this gives you a moment to think.

Aren’t fillers bad?

I know using “fillers” isn’t generally a good thing. Many people say “um” or “uh” or “you know” or other nonsense words too much. It’s true, you don’t really want to use fillers, and these stalling techniques are a type of filler. But it’s better to stall than to say nothing.

Drink some water

Do you have a bottle of water sitting next to you? Take a drink before you answer.

Be honest

If you have no answer, you can say that, but you need to do it well.

You can't just say "I don't have an answer for that, so let's go to the next question."

You can admit that you can’t think of an answer at the moment and ask to come back to the question later in the interview after you’ve had a chance to think. You can say, “I’m sorry, I can’t think of an answer to that, can you ask me again at the end?”

This isn’t ideal, of course, because you’re supposed to be answering their questions, but it’s much better than silence. It shows you can handle an awkward situation.

You can only use this once, so don't use it on something where you have some idea of an answer, and they may actually remember to ask you the question again at the end, so keep working on an answer as you answer the other questions.

You also can’t use this tactic on a common, easy question. If they ask, “Why did you leave your last job?” and you can’t think of an answer, you have absolutely no chance of getting the job.

Use only in an emergency

Think of these as emergency techniques. They can’t substitute for thorough interview practice, but they can help you if things don't go as you would expect.

I offer several interview coaching services. If you’re looking for an interview coach, email me at [email protected] to schedule a free 15 minute consultation or an interview coaching session.

I’m happy to say that after working with me, my clients, who range from entry level to executive level, have done well in their interviews and gotten the job they wanted.