How to handle interview questions you don't know

The Reality of Not Knowing

Every professional encounters interview questions they can't answer. As someone with ADHD working in tech, I understand the unique challenges we face when our minds go blank or we encounter unfamiliar territory.

The Right Approach

Sometimes it's not about whether you get the answer right, but more about how you deal with the situation.

I've interviewed people who didn't know the answer and would just BS their way through, instead of simply saying they didn't know. Think about it from their perspective: would you want to work with someone who couldn't admit when they didn't know something, or didn't ask for help?

What to Do When You Don't Know

• Be honest immediately - "I don't know this specific concept, but let me think through what I do know that might be related."
• Show your thinking process - Walk through how you would approach learning or solving it
• Ask clarifying questions - "Could you give me a bit more context about what you're looking for?"
• Connect to related knowledge - "I haven't worked with X, but I have experience with Y which seems similar."
• Demonstrate learning mindset - "This is something I'd want to research immediately after this conversation."

The Importance of Honesty

Honesty about knowledge gaps demonstrates:

• Self-awareness - You know your limitations
• Integrity - You won't mislead teammates or stakeholders
• Growth mindset - You're comfortable learning new things
• Team safety - Others can trust you to speak up when confused

Reading the Room

It's not always you, sometimes it's them. Pay attention to what's not happening or being said as much as what is.

If an interviewer seems frustrated by honest "I don't know" responses, that tells you something about the company culture. Do you want to work somewhere that punishes intellectual honesty?

Building Confidence

It'll get easier with experience. Each interview teaches you:

• Common question patterns in your field
• How to articulate your thinking process
• Which knowledge gaps to prioritize filling
• How different companies approach technical discussions

For ADHD Minds Specifically

When your ADHD brain freezes up:

• Buy time - "That's a great question, let me think for a moment."
• Use external processing - "I think better out loud, so let me walk through this."
• Leverage hyperfocus - "I get really excited about problems like this - can I think through it step by step?"
• Be authentic - Your unique perspective is valuable, not a liability

What This Approach Achieves

This strategy is effective because it:

• Builds trust through authentic communication
• Demonstrates problem-solving skills even without domain knowledge
• Shows emotional intelligence and self-awareness
• Reveals how you handle uncertainty (crucial for most roles)
• Provides insight into your learning and collaboration style

When This Might Not Work

This approach might not be suitable if:

• You're interviewing for a role requiring specific expertise you completely lack
• The company culture punishes intellectual humility (red flag!)
• You're dealing with severe anxiety that needs professional support
• The interviewer seems to want performative confidence over authentic communication

The Bottom Line

Great companies want people who can say "I don't know" and then figure it out. Average companies want people who pretend to know everything. Choose accordingly.

Remember: No single approach works for everyone. Adapt these ideas to fit your specific situation, industry, and comfort level.