How to answer interview questions when you don't know the answer

[@Lisasharp76]

Hey Don! I got the job and got a better position than what I’d applied for!!!!!!!!Thank you for so much!!!!❤️

[@DonGeorgevich]

congrats! you are awesome!

[@nurhayat81]

Congratulations 💖💖💖💖💖🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🎀🎀🎀🎀🎀🎀👑👑👑👑👑👑

[@sarahkendall3313]

Wonderful!

[@Te1978To]

I recently had a job interview.. they bombarded me with really in-depth weird questions! Bouncing back the question so that they rephrase it really helped me out many times.

[@DonGeorgevich]

Glad to hear it

[@batsy941]

It didnt help me. Asked me accounting question for commercial analyst role that is in 2nd question. I tried with the pass but interviewer said you dont listen.

[@Pixietoria]

I'm in the middle of applying for an internal job over Zoom. Was absolutely TERRIFIED for the first interview this week. I am notoriously bad at job interviews and haven't done an interview in over 5 years. Your videos have been invaluable and I can't thank you enough. I got completely stuck on a question, asked to come back to it... when I did I still wasn't satisfied with my answer (I settled on saying what I would do rather than what I have done)... when it got to the end and I had asked my question for them, and I felt more relaxed I suddenly realised I had a perfect answer, asked to circle back and answer the question I'd got stuck on again - and they let me. I have now passed the first round and have a second and final interview next week. :) THANK YOU, DON!

[@nikkidodd2305]

Thank you so much for your interview advice. I tried for years and applied many times to get a core staff position at a hospital I worked through a M nursing agency. I was turned down many times and was very discouraged. Your videos came up on my phone and I began watching them with great interest. Then your video about how to answer "tell me about yourself" came up. I listened and I started putting all your advice together and I applied to said hospital. I got called in for an interview and as the nurse manager and I walked in to her office she said tell me about yourself. Well, it just flowed out of me like the most natural thing in the world. I told her about how I first got an interest in nursing when I was in first grade and i was the practice dummy for older girls practicing their first aide skills. The biggest smile came across the manager's face. The interview goes on, then she asks if i have questions for her. I remembered what you said in that video so I asked her questions about scheduling shifts shifts so I could go to school and she said that could be worked out. Then I asked about getting financial assistance from the hospital for nursing school and she said there is help and a contract would be required saying I would work for the hospital for x amount of time and I replied that's okay because I would have a job after graduation. It just flowed naturally. Within minutes after arriving home from the interview, I got a call from HR saying I was offered the position! Finally, i got the job I have been trying to get for so long! I know this is a bit long, but I wanted to share with you how helpful your suggestions were in getting me the job I have wanted for so long. I asked the questions that were important to me! Thank you so much for your wonderful videos!!

[@DonGeorgevich]

glad to help you my friend

[@diamond654987]

I just want to say a special thank you. You really help me be more confident in interviews. Because of your great advice I was offered 3 different jobs. I accepted two of the three. I took one full time position and 1 casual with the hospital. Thanks again. You are truly helping so many people. Keep up the good work!

[@helenludtsev188]

Many congratulations!

[@DonGeorgevich]

Congratulations. That’s great news

[@laurapreston9905]

I I find sometimes I don't know the answer in front of my eyes when they are closed chalk board on thatl will usually find the right answer to the question

[@mel8969]

Your advice is so spot on Don! I was in a panel interview a few months ago where I was asked my skill and expertise in certain areas, I flat out told them that it was definitely an area I wasn't as interested or strong in compared to others and my skills and strengths was in x instead of y. I told them that I could do y but I think others could do it better but I was extremely proficient in x. I was offered the job that week and still with the company that I absolutely adore. I'm sad to see that more people aren't watching your videos, especially now with things the way they are.

[@DonGeorgevich]

Congratulations and best of luck to you. Some people would rather complain and blame the system then try to go out there and better themselves But none of my subscribers

[@sharonleibel]

As a boss, I always give a lot of credit for those who at least try. There's nothing that blows my mind more than someone who gives up at first try.

[@DonGeorgevich]

i wholeheartedly agree. if more people would just try more thane one time... Everyone has it in them, I just know they do, though - they just need that little extra push. Repetition is the mother of skill and you might have to try a few times to get something work. additionally when people complain about problems, but offer no solutions...

[@squeezy99]

As a contract software engineer I've called out my shortfall in the skills being sought several times - and every time was offered the job. This strategy puts the candidate into a strong position, and also shows the employer that the candidate is mature enough to be able to recognise their strengths and weaknesses. I was also never afraid to say - I may no know something, but I know how to learn about it - in every role I've ever had, I've come away having acquired new skills, or perfected my skills.

[@T20-c8f]

Hey don. Had an interview today, it was a second interview where I met the training manager, director of training, and a training specialist. I was so nervous as this is my dream job and I’ve been in the hunt for 9 months with many rejections. I took your advice and worked super hard for a week straight. Although I don’t know if I got the job yet, I can confidently say I preformed very well. I had a amazing answer or example to every question they asked. Thank you so much for helping me change my approach and state of mind. I have a good feeling about it but regardless I am so proud of myself today. Cheers brother!

[@TheJds1993]

You seem very kind and down to earth. You give good advice

[@DonGeorgevich]

Many thanks and best of luck to you

[@johnlenon5052]

I had a behavioral interview last Wednesday; I struggled to give coherent answers, as a couple of questions required me to describe situations I hadn't really experienced in the past. I did provide answers but they weren't very well structured. I tried to relate to some of my experiences whilst making something up, in order to score marks. Unfortunately, I failed.

[@DonGeorgevich]

Hopefully learn something and now you just get back out there and interview again

[@johnchase6959]

I am learning so much! I appreciate your support!

[@Patiencelad]

Don, you're great! I really appreciate your content. God bless you!

[@DonGeorgevich]

I appreciate that!

[@drunkdonutboy]

I got put on the spot twice and on both times I made decisive immediate answers...had no idea what they were looking for or how to answer it but I knew they were trying to see how I handle pressure and if I could think on my feet. It was close to what ended up being one of the right answers after I googled it later...but I refused to say I dont know even if I didnt

[@EugeneAxe]

I hate hypothetical situation interviews. "What would you do if..." questions are aimless. Ask me a question about something that actually happened. No fictional role playing drivel, please.

[@pieflies]

That often indicates a bad interviewer, because it’s better to know what you have done in a situation, not what you think you might do in a situation. That’s why most interviewers I’ve spoken to prefer the “tell me about a time when you did” or “give me an example when you did” type questions.

[@manojchavan1817]

You are the best, you give lotes of ideas, thanks Don, god bless y

[@eeaotly]

Some online interviews ask questions like: "How would you describe a stressful day at work?" Exactly, how? I mean, if you are applying for something that you never did before and have no experience with, then how would you even imagine such a day? You can only give such examples only related to your past jobs, which are in totally different domains. And many times, you'd need to say an entire story in order to make them understand the real dimensions of the situation. If I apply for a job in a pizzeria then how would my stressful days I had when working as beekeeper, florist, caregiver or web admin would interest you or be of any help for you, when you, most probably, have no experience in those and therefore, you can't really relate?

[@DonGeorgevich]

They just want to hear what stresses you out

[@emregocmen9562]

Great tips, thanks. I thought it was best to stay honest if you don't know the answer, instead of going a long way to try to think of an incomplete answer. This shows there are good workarounds that you can use to try answer the question on good terms.

[@DonGeorgevich]

Agreed

[@maddysydney]

I would say “Can you please give some context when this situation may arise” or “Can you give me an example...”. Even after they clarify if you really can’t think of anything to give a positive response say “sorry I don’t know the answer that may be something I should look up that”

[@DonGeorgevich]

That works

[@Dhruvbala]

Good tips. I got an interview in an hour and I'm a little nervous. I'll keep this in mind

[@DonGeorgevich]

good luck

[@TimWood-vn1pm]

I've been interviewing a lot this last year or something like that and started thinking something was wrong with me and found out I told myself, just be myself and let's see what happens

[@therealchosengamer4686]

Here because I'm just learning new things

[@JaneDoesMind]

Thank you, great advice!

[@DonGeorgevich]

You are so welcome!

[@quiteaview3194]

This is what i need. Thank you so much

[@martinezee4704]

You're pretty slick. Thanks man

[@juliekeeney1538]

This happened to me. Asked about something that after 20 yrs in this job, I had never heard of it. That was probably ten years ago. And I was grasping at things I thought they could maybe might be talking about. Now I’m going after the same job and if it were to happen again, I’d probably just tell them after 30 yrs, I have to be honest and say I have no idea what you’re talking about. Could you please enlighten me and not leave me in suspense!

[@luisrosalt]

Amazing video. Thank you so much!

[@tacticallawyer]

Nice question but the discussion is better

[@DonGeorgevich]

agreed

[@SanitysVoid]

interview in two hours. If they ask me anything I do not know I will refer to the companies core values where they encourage you to ask questions if you do not know something. So I will ask the interviwer if they can direct me to a person of expertise on the issue and see what they say about that maybe they will send me to see that person on the production floor? That will show them that I live the core values before even stepping foot on the job.

[@TimWood-vn1pm]

Sometimes you just have to be yourself and have a little bit of self-confidence and stop worrying about them so much😮

[@shavonne4831]

Great video!

[@TomandBennewsforNZ01]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@rainbow7548]

This happens a lot during technical interviews.

[@prentfaiyaz]

Lol

[@nuraykaa2750]

Hi Dan.I would like to share the problem I face to every day.I was appointed to a new exposition made in a 17th century monument.The monument was recently revealed,but unfortunately it was not thoroughly investigated from historical standpoint.Thus,sometimes,I face the challenges when visitors ask me questions relating to the monument.Each time my answer is the monument recently revealed and the researches regarding to it not finished.But I notice this answer is not enough for drafting their attention the part of the monument which they are interested in.Could you help me to learn alternatives for next time to help my visitors’ questions?Thank you in advance.

[@HO-bndk]

Tell them about the current state of the research. Tell them how the research is being done. Tell them where the research is done and by whom. Compare this monument with other similar ones. What is it made of? Who built it and why? What does it commemorate; talk about that? What makes this one different from other similar monuments? How is it the same? Relate this monument to facts about the time and society that built it. Tell anecdotes about any and all of these things. There is plenty that you can talk about. A good tour guide can make a bare wall interesting.

[@timothymatthews4564]

I also have another question if I'm paying hundreds of dollars for my phone who chooses the search engine mean or the company that sells me the phone or Google and also how do we stop Google manipulating or mobilizing the phone sector and computers

[@keegancan]

Is that your 1,000,000 views KZbin congratulatory letter? He touched on a great point. There are questions where you can’t necessarily know the answer and will have to create some sort of solution. It’s probably best stated as a problem solver, or a comprehensible person.

[@DonGeorgevich]

100,000 subs letter

[@keegancan]

@@DonGeorgevich Now that I think about it, I think that’s what it’s supposed to be. I don’t know, maybe interviewers should just keep it simple and ask why that person should be hired instead of thinking that the interview is supposed to be more complex. Tell me about yourself is just too broad especially if your employer may not want to hear your lives journey.

[@timothymatthews4564]

I have a question how do I know what the names of the electoral college voters are in Virginia

[@youngkevinsmith]

Do you have interview tips for interviews in a company going thru reorganization and people being redeployed and/or underqualified to possibly different roles.

[@DonGeorgevich]

I discuss those over a coaching call

[@etelot]

Don how about when the question is so specific that you have worked with but never consider to bother find out why that works like that? Take for example programming, "What is the difference between val and var"?

[@sarfraznawaz7248]

Programming questions can be tricky yes but I just had an interview yesterday and I used this same strategy of asking them to rephrase their some of the questions that I didn't know the answers to right away and I was able to come up with at least something which satisfied them. So I passed the interview haha

[@sarfraznawaz7248]

Var is short for variable, not sure about Val lol

[@pie-raki]

@@sarfraznawaz7248 what if we still don't know the answer. Technology is really variety these days and there will be something we don't have knowledge of or didn't even hear of.

[@lancerhdavis5007]

How do you address the issue of age in job interviews? I know job interviewers can not directly ask your age, they can perceive your age status.

[@DonGeorgevich]

I don’t. There’s nothing you can do about it so why worry about it. Stay focused on what you can do for them and forget about your age

[@batsy941]

Companies lie on job description. Was asked accounting questions in a commercial analyst position in telecom company. Interviewer was having none of it when I tried all of your approaches. He said I dont listen and said I failed the interview. But for 2nd interviewer surely somebody would have reviewed my CV. Some really toxic companies out there. I wrote an email after that explaining the reasoning and how it was an issue of misalignment rather than listening problems. So it is Ok to disagree with director as well.

[@DonGeorgevich]

saying they lie is subjective.

[@batsy941]

@@DonGeorgevich sir then how come anyone ask questions about a skill set not mentioned on the resume that too in a 2nd interview. It is a sheer waste of everybody's time who are involved in the interview process. Or simply director was forced into interviewing me based on HR suggestion.

[@TimWood-vn1pm]

Get to the😂😂😂😂😂 Don

[@shashikanth7880]

Hey Don, Thanks for this. Could you please do a video on how to get into your best state of mind before the interview? I often struggle to be in the moment and want to get done with the interview as soon as possible often ending up not giving my best

[@DonGeorgevich]

I’ll add it to the list

[@ofeliaalfaro9390]

What if i told them that “ im sorry i dont understand the questions?!” But… i want to try i don’t care if i dont pass the interview at least I tried!

[@laurapreston9905]

Have them define that question

[@arefashionista]

I thought asking to rephrase a question is frown upon 🤔

[@DonGeorgevich]

since when is asking for clarity frowned upon? What if your boss gave you an assignment and you didn't understand it? Would you do it anyway or ask for clarity?

[@dindasimpson5485]

@@DonGeorgevich I had an interview and this asking for clarification worked! This gave me additional time to think.

[@Pixietoria]

I asked for clarity and then even rephrased the question myself to make sure I understood what was being asked. It worked a charm! Better than giving them a load of waffle that doesn't address what they're looking for.

[@jaqueitch]

Too many passive interviewees out there. You need to show a hunger and passion...

[@DonGeorgevich]

right on, Paul

[@andriyanslavchev3176]

When you don't know the answer tell the truth :)

[@Raha-fy1vm]

You can't drink water to buy time in the interview .....come onnnnn

[@DonGeorgevich]

worked for me

[@nicodasm]

@@DonGeorgevich I was going to say exactly the same.

[@dindasimpson5485]

Worked for me too

[@Pixietoria]

I found that it really helped ground me to take the odd sip. I don't even like drinking water but I kept a glass there anyway, and found it SO useful. I felt more human and it gave me something to do when I needed to channel my energy.

[@Earlofthearies.1982]

At least get near the answer.

[@DonGeorgevich]

right

[@ishtiaq2000]

1) How many neurone cells in human body????? Hmmmm !! Let me think about it. 2) What is the name of Mr. Bean’s great great grand father? Hmm !! Can you rephrase the question. & it would be great to know the name of your great great grandfather Mr. interviewer.

[@DonGeorgevich]

If you don’t know, then you don’t know.

[@patricke170]

You ramble and repeat yourself a lot. Please be more direct