The "I Don't Know" Answer

[Glimmer1991]

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I sometimes see people saying that in interviews, if you're struggling with a question, it's simply okay to say, "I don't know." But do you guys really think this is okay? I just think it could be a potentially bad thing to say and that you should be able to pull something out. Probably, though, there are some situations where it is truly okay to use... but I just can't think of anything. My Dad interviews others quite often at his job, and he said there is no way I should give this answer!

I know there have been some spots in my interviews where I wanted to give this answer because I was having a hard time coming up with something, but I still managed. It might have not been the most compelling answer in the world, but I did the best with it I could!

So, when do you truly think it's okay?

 

[CleverThought]

I sometimes see people saying that in interviews, if you're struggling with a question, it's simply okay to say, "I don't know." But do you guys really think this is okay? I just think it could be a potentially bad thing to say and that you should be able to pull something out. Probably, though, there are some situations where it is truly okay to use... but I just can't think of anything. My Dad interviews others quite often at his job, and he said there is no way I should give this answer!

I know there have been some spots in my interviews where I wanted to give this answer because I was having a hard time coming up with something, but I still managed. It might have not been the most compelling answer in the world, but I did the best with it I could!

So, when do you truly think it's okay?

I don't know, but I've wondered the same thing.

I was asked when's the last time I felt I was treated unfairly and I couldn't come up with an answer for the life of me. I see the good in people and situations usually, so I guess I never take it from that angle of being treated unfairly.

Needless to say, I felt obligated to give an answer and I'm sure I butchered it lol

 

[free99]

At my last interview I was asked if I wanted to specialize and that was basically my answer. Obviously I didn't leave it just at 'I don't know' and explained my rationale for both directions.

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[Glimmer1991]

At my last interview I was asked if I wanted to specialize and that was basically my answer. Obviously I didn't leave it just at 'I don't know' and explained my rationale for both directions.

Aha! This is definitely a good time to use it.

I don't know, but I've wondered the same thing.
I was asked when's the last time I felt I was treated unfairly and I couldn't come up with an answer for the life of me. I see the good in people and situations usually, so I guess I never take it from that angle of being treated unfairly.
Needless to say, I felt obligated to give an answer and I'm sure I butchered it lol

I've gotten that question, too! Luckily, I had thought about it beforehand, or I would have been totally floundering! 🙂 This is sort of a loaded question, too.

 

[Ferneezy]

i gave that to "what was your biggest mistake?" in my first interview. granted, at that point i was deep into being roasted by that school's omfs chair and, once he smelled blood in the water, figured he would toy with like an orca does a seal.

mixed metaphors for the win.

 

[Illfavor]

At my last interview I was asked if I wanted to specialize and that was basically my answer. Obviously I didn't leave it just at 'I don't know' and explained my rationale for both directions.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

Exactly this. Any question about my future plans I am honest and say that I expect my experiences in school to weigh heavily on my business decisions.

 

[Paperclipz]

I wouldn't give the "I don't know" answer. For example, in one of my OOS interviews I was asked if I was considering staying in the city after graduating...I was only there for a few days so it's a hard question to answer..but I just said that so far I've seen many positives about the city and if the career opportunity arises, I would definitely consider that an option.

I think regardless of what question is asked, try giving it a positive spin..there are questions that will stump you but I personally, would try to avoid the 'I don't know' answer.

 

[lwen5]

I think the only answer to say, "I don't know" is to the specialize answer. You do not need to respond immediately to the question. Pause for a moment and think. You get no credit for answering the question quickly, and certainly will not get any credit for a stupid answer that comes out because you were too bent on answering immediately.

 

[LFA20]

You guys are over thinking this. Just relax... only 20 something days left..

 

[HSorathia92]

I think sometimes interviewers are almost expecting an I don't know answer. At one of my interviews I was asked the most random question ever but I somehow came up with something to say pretty quickly and my interviewer told me he'd been asking people that all day and I was the first one to not say I don't know.

 

[LaughingGas]

IMO, saying I don't know is better than making up a B.S. answer.

 

[AKDent]

You guys are over thinking this. Just relax... only 20 something days left..

Ugh! Don't remind me. This wait is driving me crazy.

 

[jeffity]

Agree with a lot of what was said. If you hear it come out of your mouth, don't stop there. Explain why. Example: If you could, which law would you change? I heard an "I don't know" with silence after. "Okay, next question", responded the interviewer. Then there was an "I don't know. I'll be honest. These days, I don't follow....blah blah....mostly just studying....blah, blah". That's better than just "I don't know". And as mentioned, ask to think about it if need to. That's better than garbage coming out.

 

[flaming0duckie]

I also think that people have a tendency to start talking right away on questions that are tricky. Instead, take a brief moment to formulate an answer in your head. If instead you automatically start talking and nothing you say makes sense, it looks worse to the interviewer. I promise you, the interviewer will not judge you negatively for taking 5-8 seconds to think. However, he or she will think poorly of you if you stutter your way through.

With that said, while I doubt 'I don't know' said verbatim will score any brownie points, if you can express it in a way that gives a reason for WHY you don't know, that may be acceptable.

Good luck!

 

[lmr9y]

Usually if there's a tricky question where "I don't know" seems like my initial answer, I try to ask the individual to clarify (if need be). Otherwise, I'd take a few seconds, try to formulate an answer, and continue. The only time I did use the phrase "I don't know for sure" was the 5 years down the road questions because I wasn't sure if I wanted to do general or specialize and I see the pros/cons in each possibility (I explained that) but I told my interviewer I didn't have a clear-cut answer as to the exact situation but these were the possibilities running thru my mind.

 

[Papasmurf1234]

It's better to say "I don't know" than to say something that will make you look like a buffoon. I have yet to come across any questions at an interview where I had to say "I don't know". I think with enough preparation you'll be fine for the most part...except those far-fetched questions like, "Would you rather be an apple or a banana?"

 

[sbdento]

I sometimes see people saying that in interviews, if you're struggling with a question, it's simply okay to say, "I don't know." But do you guys really think this is okay?

I don't know

 

[flaming0duckie]

It's better to say "I don't know" than to say something that will make you look like a buffoon. I have yet to come across any questions at an interview where I had to say "I don't know". I think with enough preparation you'll be fine for the most part...except those far-fetched questions like, "Would you rather be an apple or a banana?"

Apple! Helps clean teeth due to the crunch factor. 😀

 

[doc toothache]

Pulling answers out of a hat simply to avoid admitting lack of knowledge, would in the forum spirit of posting "facts" that have a similar origin.

 

[Glimmer1991]

Pulling answers out of a hat simply to avoid admitting lack of knowledge, would in the forum spirit of posting "facts" that have a similar origin.

True, but it is different to have a lack of knowledge about one's life experiences than it is to have a lack of knowledge about cold, hard facts.
If you get asked about protein folding and don't know, don't make it up. But, if you're asked about your weaknesses, you should know.

 

[doc toothache]

True, but it is different to have a lack of knowledge about one's life experiences than it is to have a lack of knowledge about cold, hard facts.
If you get asked about protein folding and don't know, don't make it up. But, if you're asked about your weaknesses, you should know.

What would yours be?

 

[sgv]

When it comes down to the part where they ask you if you have any questions, turn the tables on them. Ask your interviewer, "what are 18 of YOUR weaknesses and is penicillin allergy one of them?"

 

[Papasmurf1234]

When it comes down to the part where they ask you if you have any questions, turn the tables on them. Ask your interviewer, "what are 18 of YOUR weaknesses and is penicillin allergy one of them?"

I would think that's a one way ticket to pissing off your interviewer