Interview Myth no. 4

Myth no. 4: Never say ‘I don’t know’

Interviews are about making a positive impression by answering
questions intelligently and building rapport with the interviewer.
To this end, many interviewees feel that they have to provide the
perfect answer to every question put to them, irrespective of whether
or not they actually know the answer. Clearly, a great interview is
one in which you can answer all the questions (and you should be
4 interview skills that win the job
able to do so if you take the time to prepare correctly); however, if
you don’t know the answer to something, it is better to admit to it
rather than pretend to know and start waffling. Most interviewers
can pick waffling a mile away and they don’t like it for a couple of
very important reasons: first, it is likely to make you sound dishonest;
and second, it will make you sound considerably less than intelligent.
You may as well not attend the interview if you give the impression
that you’re neither honest nor bright.
Trying to answer a question that you have little idea about could
undermine an otherwise great interview. This does not mean that you
cannot attempt answers that you are unsure of. There’s nothing wrong
with having a go, as long as you make your uncertainty clear to the
interviewer at the outset. Here’s what an answer may sound like:
I have to be honest and say that this is not an area I’m familiar
with, though I am very interested in it. If you like, I’m happy
to have a go at trying to address the issue, as long as you’re
not expecting the perfect answer.
Or:
I’d love to answer that question, but I need to be honest
upfront and say that this is not an area that I’m overly familiar
with, though I’m very interested in increasing my knowledge
about it.