Technical interviews can be tough, especially when you get asked a question you don’t know the answer to. It’s normal to hit a wall sometimes, but how you handle those moments can make a big difference. Interviewers don’t just want perfect answers — they want to see how you think, solve problems, and handle stress.
In this post, you’ll learn smart and confident ways to answer technical interview questions you don’t know.
Stay Calm and Think It Through
When you don’t know the answer right away, staying calm is key. Take a breath and show you’re thinking.
- I’m not sure, but here’s how I would approach it
- Let me think about the problem for a moment
- I haven’t encountered this before, but I’d try to…
- I’m not familiar with that specific concept, but I’m willing to learn
- Here’s what I do know that might help
- Let me break down the problem
- I’d start by checking the documentation or resources available
- I’m guessing this might involve… based on what I know
- Can I ask a clarifying question to make sure I understand?
- I’d try to simplify the problem into smaller parts
Talk Through Your Thought Process
Even if you don’t know the exact answer, explaining your reasoning impresses interviewers.
- Here’s how I’d try to solve it step-by-step
- I’d test different cases to see what happens
- I would check for edge cases or exceptions
- I’d write pseudocode first to outline the logic
- I’m thinking about related topics like…
- I’d debug by isolating the parts that might cause issues
- My first step would be to identify inputs and outputs
- I’d consider common algorithms or data structures here
- I’d try a brute-force solution first, then optimize
- I’d collaborate with teammates or look up resources if allowed
Be Honest but Positive
It’s okay to admit when you don’t know something, but stay positive and show eagerness to learn.
- I haven’t worked with that technology yet, but I’m excited to learn it
- That’s a great question — I’d need to research that more
- I’m not confident in that area yet, but I’m actively improving it
- I haven’t solved that problem before, but I’d approach it like this
- I’d ask for feedback or resources to get better
- I’m always open to learning new tools or methods
- I appreciate the challenge and would dive deeper after this interview
- I’m comfortable figuring things out on the job
- I’m willing to put in extra time to master that skill
- I don’t know that offhand, but I’d use my problem-solving skills to find the answer
Ask Clarifying Questions or Offer Alternatives
Showing curiosity and engagement can turn a tricky question into a positive interaction.
- Could you clarify the requirements a bit more?
- Is the focus on performance, accuracy, or something else?
- Would it be okay to discuss a related approach I’m familiar with?
- Can I confirm if I should assume a certain environment or constraints?
- Would you prefer a high-level overview or detailed implementation?
- I don’t know the exact answer, but I can share how I’d learn or test it
- Is this related to X technology or concept?
- I’m not sure, but here’s how I’d research it after the interview
- Could you provide an example or use case?
- Let me check if I understood the problem correctly before answering
Quick and Clear Phrases to Use When You Don’t Know
If you want short, confident responses when you’re stuck:
- That’s a good question, I’ll be honest, I’m not sure
- I haven’t encountered that yet, but I’d love to learn
- I don’t know the answer offhand, but here’s how I’d find it
- Let me think about that and get back to you
- I’m not familiar with that specific problem, but I’d approach it like this
- I’m not positive, but here’s my best guess
- I’d need to review that topic more
- I’d ask for help or look up documentation in a real scenario
- I’m still developing that skill but making good progress
- I’m excited to tackle that challenge with some research
Tips for Handling Unknown Technical Questions
- Don’t panic — interviewers expect you to not know everything.
- Take a moment before answering instead of rushing.
- Use what you do know to build an answer.
- Keep your tone confident and open.
- Practice explaining your thought process out loud.
- Prepare for common “unknown” questions with mock interviews.
- Remember, problem-solving skills matter more than perfect answers.
Conclusion
Not knowing the answer to a technical question is normal and okay. What matters most is how you respond. Stay calm, think out loud, be honest, and show a willingness to learn.
These moves can turn a tough question into a chance to shine. Have you ever faced a technical question you didn’t know? How did you handle it? Try these tips next time and see how it changes your interview experience!
