Interview questions: What if I can't think of an answer?

What if you can't think of an answer to an interview question?

Say so!

Firstly there is nothing wrong with taking time to think before answering a question, so long as it's not too long, and you don't do it every time.

You can say something like "good question" or "can I take a moment to think about that" and then take a minute to think.

Or you can just use body language to show you are thinking - looking upwards, perhaps saying "Hmmmm" and just generally use the body language you would at any other time if you were trying to come up with an answer.

If you feel your nerves are showing, you can comment (once only) that you are always nervous at interviews, and most interviewers will give you a little leeway.

Humor can be used in moderation.

When asked at my first ever interview for a career counsellor position, if I knew all about interview skills (the real answer was "no"), since I was at that moment in an interview, I just smiled and said "Doesn't it show?" Whereupon everyone laughed and no-one asked me the question again!

If all else fails you can always ask if you can come back to that question later ... and then hope the interviewer forgets!

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