You aced the job interview and are now nearing the end of the interview feeling confident. But then disaster strikes. When the interviewer asks me, “Where do you see yourself in five years?” my mind goes blank.
Some questions are easier to answer than others. While you may be able to talk about your skills, accomplishments, and experiences without breaking a sweat, it’s often difficult to talk about your weaknesses or the times you overcame obstacles in your career.
However, just because you hit a stumbling block doesn’t mean your interview is a total failure. So what if you can’t answer the question? Also, how can I recover if the interview doesn’t go as planned?
notoriously difficult questions
Victoria McLean, a career coach and founder and CEO of career consultancy Citi CV, says two of the most difficult questions to answer are behavioral questions and hypothetical questions.
Behavioral questions may require you to talk about how you respond to criticism or deal with stress. Hypothetical questions, on the other hand, may require you to talk about imaginary scenarios, such as dealing with dishonest clients or managing ethical issues.
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“In both cases, it’s difficult to think for yourself when you’re feeling nervous or anxious,” says MacLean. “You can prepare for behavioral questions by reflecting on your career before the interview and matching your experience to questions that may come up regarding the interview role.”
Preparing for hypothetical questions can be a little difficult, but it can be helpful to write down some difficult situations you’ve experienced and overcome. For example, providing negative feedback or addressing mistakes.
“Again, if you’ve thought about your previous experience, you should be able to draw on it. Interview coaching is a great way to prepare for scenarios like this,” MacLean says. says.
What should I do if I can’t answer the interview questions?
breathe
First of all, it is important not to panic. Alternatively, it’s important to try not to panic too much. If you have a glass of water, take a sip to give yourself time to calm down and think about what to do next. It is also helpful to ask the interviewer to repeat the question.
“It’s definitely possible to withdraw from an interview. The key is to remain calm and try not to get upset,” says career and leadership coach Emily Button Lynham. “If you feel like you’re not answering a question correctly, it doesn’t hurt to ask for more time to answer the question or start answering the question. If you have the question written down in front of you, this also helps. Masu.”
be honest
If you can’t formulate your answer, it’s better to be honest. Because the interview will tell if you’re not, says MacLean.
“You might want to say something like, ‘I don’t have a specific answer to that question, but I would like to learn more about…’ and use this as a way to show your enthusiasm for the role,” she says. I’ll give you some advice.
“You can also try to reframe your answers to talk about how you could handle the situation or problem. You might even be able to talk about a similar situation you’ve been through,” says MacLean. he added.
Ask the interviewer to clarify the question
It may also be helpful to consider why you are having trouble answering the question. For example, your question may be too broad.
“The key here is to stay calm and clarify your questions. This will help you give hints or explain things in a way that they can understand,” says Button-Lingham. “If you’re still struggling, relate it to something you can answer and give yourself the context to do so.”
It may not be as bad as you think
Interviewers generally understand that interviews are stressful. They should use their time to learn more about you and your experience instead of trying to get you.
“It’s important to stay positive. After all, you might think the interview won’t go well, but that might not be the interviewer’s experience,” says MacLean.
And if you get a bad vibe, ask yourself if this is really where you want to work. Any red flags in the interview could be red flags about the company culture.
Remember it’s not the end of the world
“When I go into an interview, my advice is always, “Just do your best.” It sounds cliché, but it’s true,” Button-Lingham says.
“We don’t know the experience of the other candidates being interviewed or the exact interview format. There are so many unknowns. If you don’t get the job after an interview, ask for frank and honest feedback. , take advantage of that morning for the next time.”
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