What do you do if you're faced with ambiguity and uncertainty in a job interview?

Yes. It is important to be yourself in an interview, but be your calm self. There is a interviewing style/technique out there where the interviewers remain neutral and unreactive. They do not engage or give reaction during a candidate's response. This is suppose to prevent an interviewer from influencing a candidate's answers. And to see how well a candidate can stand on their own. But it can be discouraging to a candidate, when they're not seeing or hearing any indication of what the interviewer thinks of their response. Remind yourself that it isn't personal; that you didn't do something you did wrong. Remember that they chose to interview YOU! So be calm, be positive, be confident.

Good interviews should be a two way street. Do not be afraid to ask questions back. You would (or you at least shouldn't) never do your job without asking clarification when you're confused, so why wouldn't you ask during an interview. Obviously they can't give you "the answer", but if you ask specific enough questions, like "Did you mean... or ...?", or "Are you referring to ...?", they will likely help you out. No interviewer wants you to fail because no interviewer wants to have their time wasted. They want you to do well, and to learn what you honestly bring to the table. Another way to clarify, is to answer their question (always specifically/detailed, but concise), and then finish with "Did that answer your question?"

View your interviewer as a potential client if you were running a business. You would want to find out as much information from them to help you understand what they wanted from you so you could help create the best product or service for them. You would ask clarifying questions and follow-up questions to truly understand what they needed from you.

Turn interview ambiguity into your advantage! Share a story where you faced uncertainty in a past project. Explain how you tackled it: gather information, brainstorm solutions, and adapt your approach. This showcases your resourcefulness and on-the-spot thinking - skills that thrive in today's dynamic business world.

When responding to uncertain scenarios, anchor your answers with concrete examples from your experience. For instance, describe a time you tackled an ambiguous task. Explain how you approached it, what steps you took to clarify requirements, and the successful outcome. Discussing specifics not only validates your skills but also shows the interviewer how you might handle similar challenges on the job.

Turn ambiguity into your interview advantage! Open-ended questions are your chance to shine with creative solutions. Think of a new marketing strategy for a familiar product, or brainstorm ways to improve customer service in an unexpected way. Employers want innovative thinkers, so show them you can approach problems from fresh angles and bring new ideas to the table!

Thrive on ambiguity! Show interviewers you see challenges as puzzles to solve (e.g., "While I don't have all the details about the project, I'm great at asking clarifying questions to get a head start"). Your enthusiasm is contagious, leaving a lasting impression and setting you apart from negativity.