Interview questions. Scenario 8 of 11. Buying time

Your mind goes blank

Halfway through the interview you are asked a long question with two parts. By the time the interviewer stops talking, you have lost the first part, and your mind has gone blank.

Three people are looking at you.

What is the best call?

Start talking straight away and hope you find an answer as you go.

Not the best call

Rushing to fill the silence usually produces a long answer to a question they did not ask. A pause feels enormous to you and is barely noticed by them. Buying a moment is better than guessing.

Say, "Could you repeat the question, please? I'd like to take it one part at a time."

Good call

This is completely normal and interviewers expect it. It gives you the question again and a few seconds to think. Asking for clarity reads as careful, not as weak. You can also say, "Let me think about that for a moment."

Apologise several times and explain that you are very nervous.

Could be better

Saying once that you are nervous is fine, and most interviewers are kind about it. But repeated apologies use up your time and your confidence. One request to hear the question again does the job.

Say, "I don't know," and wait for the next question.

Not the best call

You have given up a question you could probably answer with ten seconds to think. If, after hearing it again, you really do not know, say what you would do to find out. That is still an answer.

The principle

You are allowed to pause, to ask for a question again, to take it one part at a time and to look at your notes. Interviewers see it as care, not weakness.