It is inevitable that during an interview you will be asked a question for which you are not prepared.

This can result in you talking in circles, repeating yourself, or not answering the question all together. Here are some tips about what to do when you do not know what to say in an interview.

Ask for a second to think

It is totally appropriate to ask for a moment to think about your answer after you are asked a question. While it may seem daunting to initiate a moment of silence while you reflect, this can allow you to assemble a complete thought before you start speaking.

Formulate your thoughts

During this moment to think, allow yourself to parcel through your thoughts and experiences that relate to the question or scenario. Using this time will allow you to avoid using filler words such as “like” and “umm,” as well as craft a clear answer to the question asked.

Consider writing down a few key points

It’s perfectly acceptable, as you think, to write down a few key points you want to make note of in your answer. Sometimes having a visual reference in front of you is helpful as you desire to answer the question fully, especially if you were thrown off by the question to begin with!

Remember the STAR technique

Utilizing the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) will help bolster your answers and show the interviewer that you have taken action and achieved results in the past. This is also a great way to showcase your transferable skills and career competencies within your past experiences.

Take a deep breath and give your answer

When you are about to give your answer, remember to take a deep breath. This will help center you and slow down the pace of your talking, allowing you to express that excellent answer.

As an encouragement, your interviewer has been in your shoes before and they are rooting for you! If they weren’t interested in you as a candidate they wouldn’t have offered you an interview in the first place. So, as you answer this question, be yourself and let your experiences and skills speak for themselves. Remember, ultimately, whether you get this position or not, interviewing is a learning experience. The more you do it, the better you become. Keep up the positivity, friends!