Q&A: Can You Come Back to a Question in an Interview?

Interviews are key parts of the job application process that give you the opportunity to show a hiring manager the value you might bring to their company. Learning how to answer difficult interview questions can help you prepare for an interview effectively and confidently. If you're preparing for an interview, you might wonder if you can ask an interviewer to come back to a challenging question later in the interview. In this article, we explain whether you can come back to a question in an interview, provide tactics for responding when you don't know the answer to a question and list strategies to help you with challenging questions. Related: 13 Tips for Conducting a Strong Job Interview

Can you come back to a question in an interview?

You can ask an interviewer to come back to an interview question, but this technique might only work once during the interview. You might ask to come back to a question if you're in the beginning or middle of the interview time slot and the question requires thought. For example, if the interviewer asks a challenging question about your professional goals or asks you to solve a problem at the beginning of the interview, you might ask them to return to the question at the end. When you ask to come back to a question, emphasize that you're giving it careful thought and thank the interviewer for their consideration. You might say, "That's a good question, and I'd like to give it more thought. Could we return to this question after I've had time to think? I'd really appreciate it." The interviewer might allow you to move on to the next question and return to the skipped question at the end of the interview.

What can you do if you don't have an answer to a question in an interview?

Asking to come back to a question usually only works once during an interview, so it can be helpful to know multiple techniques for this situation. Here are three additional tactics you can use if you don't know how to answer a question in an interview:

1. Direct the conversation to your qualifications

While you may not always have a response that matches the interview question perfectly, you can often connect similar previous experiences to the question. If an interviewer asks about a task or project that's unfamiliar to you, you can say that you haven't performed the specific task but that you've done something related. Then, explain what makes your previous experience relevant to the question and emphasize the strengths you might bring to the role. For example, if an interviewer asks you if you've directed a social media campaign, and you haven't, you can respond in a way that shows your achievements and relates them to the task. You might say, "While I haven't personally led a social media campaign, I have worked with several marketing coordinators as they directed them, and I learned how to use social media analytics software to help during those projects. I've also directed several successful email marketing campaigns and am excited for an opportunity to apply the skills I've developed to the social media marketing channel." Related: 14 Tips To Improve Your Interview Skills

2. Use your problem-solving skills

If an interviewer asks you how you approach a type of project that you aren't familiar with, you can use your critical thinking skills to provide an answer. You can discuss how you might direct the project based on similar work you've done in the past. You can also build a response by reflecting on what your previous managers have done in similar situations. For example, if you're interviewing for an administrative position, the interviewer might ask, "How do you manage projects across different departments?" If you haven't managed a project like that, you can say, "Here's how I might manage a project like this. First, I may meet with the department heads to decide on the project goals and ask them to select team members that fit our needs. Next, I might write a project plan and submit it to the department heads for feedback. During the project, I might hold regular meetings to discuss progress and make adjustments."

3. Show your desire to learn

If you are unfamiliar with a concept or technique mentioned by an interviewer, you can describe to them how you might improve your skills. This might happen if you're interviewing for a position in a different industry or type of organization. By showing the hiring manager that you're eager to learn, you can turn a skills gap into a positive trait. Hiring managers often prefer candidates who have strong learning potential because they might be more passionate about their work. For example, if you're interviewing for an administrative position in a healthcare facility and are unfamiliar with the software platform the company uses, you might respond to a question about it by saying, "I'm glad you asked about my familiarity with Platform X. While my previous experience has been with a different software platform, I am eager to learn about the program your facility uses for patient records and administrative tasks. I'm a fast learner and enjoy mastering new skills, and I am confident that I can learn to use Platform X quickly."

What strategies can you use to respond effectively to challenging questions?

For some questions, you might know the answer but find it difficult to communicate your response effectively. Here are three strategies that can help you answer challenging interview questions with confidence:

1. Prepare before your interview

Candidates who prepare for interviews might be able to answer challenging questions quicker and more effectively because they remember skills and achievements that might help their candidacy. Preparing for an interview can also make you more confident, which might give you an advantage. When you prepare for an interview, you might read the job description and connect the listed skills to specific achievements or responsibilities in your past work experience. That way, when the interviewer asks about those parts of the job, you can respond with examples from your resume and cover letter. You might also research the company and industry while you prepare for your interview. Learning about the company's values and growth goals can help you predict the kinds of questions an interviewer might ask. For example, if you look at a company's website and see that their mission statement mentions innovation several times, then you might prepare to answer questions about innovation in your professional career. You might make a list of innovative projects you've led or times when you've used a unique method to solve a problem. Related: 15 Things To Do Before an Interview

2. Ask for a moment to think

When an interviewer asks a challenging question, you can ask them for a brief pause while you think of an appropriate response. Interviewers often expect candidates to reflect on their responses to more in-depth questions, and asking them for some time can show them you're considering the question carefully. Asking for a moment to think can be an especially useful tactic in a phone interview, where the interviewer relies on your words to measure your engagement with the process since they can't see your body language or facial expressions. You might paraphrase the question and say, "I'd like to think about that for a moment." Then, you can take a minute or two before answering the question. This technique reassures the interviewer that you have a response and gives you some time to think of the ideal phrasing for your answer. If you can't think of a response after taking a moment, you might then ask to come back to the question. Related: 14 Do's and Don'ts of Phone Interviews

3. Clarify the question

Sometimes, interview questions can be challenging because they might have several different meanings. If you're not sure exactly what the interviewer is asking, you can respond with clarifying questions that can help you understand the meaning of the question. For example, if an interviewer says, "Tell me about your preferred team-building exercises," you might ask, "Do you mean team-building for a specific project or exercises for getting to know new teammates?" By asking clarifying questions, you can give yourself extra time to think of an answer and determine the interviewer's exact meaning. When the interviewer answers your clarifying question, they might give you examples that can help you think of your own response. Asking these types of questions can also show the interviewer that you're engaged in the interview process, which might give you an advantage in the hiring process.