Interview Preparation: What to Do When You Can't Answer a Question

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Interviews are all about questions and answers; whether it is your question to the interviewer or a question that they are posing to you. It is a simple process in those terms. However, I want to discuss what happens when you can’t answer one of the interviewer’s questions (or at least not straight away). In an interview, I was once asked ‘I want a red ladder, not just any type of red ladder, but one that is a certain red colour e.g. crimson. How would you get one?’ I wasn’t expecting a question like that and my initial thought was that I wasn’t sure how I would – under pressure I said the first answer that came into my head. Had I of done my interview preparation I would have been able to give a better answer to reveal my competence. Therefore, being nervous in an interview and having the added pressure of answering all the questions, and to answer them well, can be a daunting experience. So I’m going to provide a few tips below to help anyone who may land themselves in the same situation I was in.

Why is the question difficult to answer?

Firstly, you need to establish why can’t answer the question, do you not understand what the interviewer means. For example, I could have asked ‘What do you mean by red ladder?’ as it is important to fully understand the question in order to give a good answer. A good answer will consist of multiple answers to show off problem solving skills, ‘I would buy a ladder from B&Q and paint it red, alternatively I would check out company contacts and connections, failing that I would a colleague what they would do. Therefore, don’t worry about asking questions like ‘What do you mean?’ if it means you can you can provide a better answer.

How can I buy myself more time to answer a question?

You can understand a question and still not know the answer. It is not recommended to answer your interviewer with ‘I don’t know’, because you will look incompetent. Instead, if you buy yourself sometime you may be able to produce a good enough answer.

Simple ways of doing this would be to ask the interviewer to repeat the question. In doing so, they may as well elaborate on the question, giving you more of a chance to think. Furthermore, don’t be afraid of taking a few seconds to think about your answer before you reply. Nerves can sometimes get the better of you in situations where you may feel under pressure. So keep calm and take a few seconds to think before you respond.

What is the best way to deal with questions I initially can’t answer?

• Quickly establish why you can’t answer the question.
• Remain calm and don’t feel pressured to respond quickly.
• If you believe it will help, you can ask the interviewer at the start of the interview whether you can take notes. This may help you either to understand the question or to have a reminder of the question when you’re giving your answer.

For more advice on interview answers, check out my previous blog post on how to give STAR answers - http://diaryofapublishingintern.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/competency-based-interviews-star-q.html

Bag Essentials: Ever wondered what to take with you on placement?

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In the excitement that your placement has been secured, you can sometimes forget about the little things. It is all about preparation in the most basic form in order to make a good impression. Ever wondered what to take with you on placement? Just because you’ve made a good impression previously, doesn’t mean your efforts should stop there. Therefore, below, I have listed some bag essentials that you may like to take on placement.

1) Equipment

Don’t take everything for granted. Some companies are happy to supply you with stationary. However, if this is not the case then you’ll make a good impression by having your own notepad and pen. In smaller companies, it may be necessary to take a laptop with you to your placement, but they should tell you this beforehand.

2) Water

They say it is good for the brain, and at the very least, it will keep you hydrated. I always take a bottle of water with me on placement, that way; I can easily fill it up at the water fountain – it is good to leave the desk once in a while.

3) Health Essentials

There is nothing worse than having a headache on placement. Make sure you’re carrying some paracetamol in case this happens, don’t rely on other people to have them. Additionally, carry some plasters for when your feet get sore. The publishing industry is a fast-paced environment and you need to keep up, so take care of yourself.

4) Required Documentation

As with equipment, the placement organiser should let you know whether they require any documentation such as, copy of your passport, confidentiality agreements etc. If you do need to fill out any documentation then make sure, you don’t forget to take it with you on your first day. I went on a placement once where I had to sign documentation and take it with me on my first day. It was a requirement, and if I forgot it then I wouldn’t have been able to start.

The above pointers do depend on the company and your own personal preferences. Nevertheless, these bag essentials are something to consider if you have a placement coming up. It is important to be prepared and to give an overall good impression.