You're in the middle of a job interview and you're drawing a blank. How can you get back on track?

When feeling stressed or distracted, the APR Technique (Awareness, Pause, Reframe) is effective for shifting focus: a) Awareness Stage: Recognize your current situation and identify where your focus should be. b) Pause Stage: Calm your nerves and take a moment to compose yourself. c) Reframe Stage: Refocus your thoughts and respond. For example, during an interview, you can ask for a glass of water to give yourself time to gather your thoughts and answer calmly.

I like this: I want to give you a considered reply since this is an important question. Could we revisit this question later?

Your resume gets you an interview, you get you the job. It is a human experience and you need to build some chemistry during the interview with the interviewer. If you go blank, simply say oh I just drew a blank :). HR or Hiring team know you are nervous. Be humble and be aware you are there because you most likely have the skills to do the job.

This has happened to most of us at some point, I’m sure. It’s okay. Don’t beat yourself up. Remain as calm as possible and ask them to repeat the question. Or you can say, “I’d like to think about that for a few seconds, would you mind if we came back to that?” It’s okay to be honest and tell them that your mind has gone blank. Interviewers know it’s stressful and they should appreciate your honesty. This is also one reason a thank you note could work to your favor. You could use that thank you note to clarify your answer or emphasize what you wanted to say.

The majority of interviewers don't want you to fail - they want you to be comfortable. So you can do one of 3 things: say "that's a great question" and take a sip of your water which buys you thinking time. Or - say "that's a great question- could I please take a moment to think about it?" (asking for what you need). Or - ask if you can come back to the question at the end of the interview. What you don't want to do: rush, or answer when you aren't ready.

The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is crucial for answering interview questions because it provides a great framework to showcase your skills and experiences. Breaking down your responses into these components makes it much easier for the interviewer to understand your capabilities. Pro Tip: The STAR method allows you to highlight your actions as well as the outcome which enables you to throughly show impact in your previous positions.

Le soucis d'utiliser les méthode bien structurée comme STAR par exemple c'est que le candidat peut se concentrer d'avantage à comment dire ce qu'il veut dire, plutôt que de l'ennoncer naturellement. Cela peut faire perdre parfois le focus et la spontaneité qui contribue à l'authenticité.

In such a situation I'd quickly shift to the STAR method. I'd recall a relevant Situation or Task, describe the Action I took, and emphasize the positive Result. This structured approach helps me gather my thoughts, provide a well-organized response, and demonstrate my problem-solving skills, ensuring I get back on track and make a strong impression in the interview.

O método STAR ajuda muito a ter clareza sobre a sua linha de tempo, e ver como você evoluiu até o momento atual. E o mais importante sobre isso é ter autoconhecimento e reconhecer todas as suas conquistas. S - Situação: O que aconteceu que você teve que agir no trabalho para resolver? T - Tarefa - Como foi a tarefa? A - Ação - Quais ações você teve para resolver? R - Resultado - Qual o feedback sobre esse trabalho? Foi um resultado positivo ou negativo ? Porque se não foi bom também é um resultado. Importante é você falar sobre o RESULTADO.

PAR is another method that is similar to the STAR concept which stands for: Problem: Describe the problem or challenge you encountered in a particular situation. Action: Detail actions you took in addressing the problem. Result: Discuss the positive outcome/results of implementing your actions.

It's a normal thing! The interviewers should make it normal too. "All you have to do is ask, "Can I get a minute?"." Recall the conversation, Use STAR Methodology if you can and there you go! Alternatively, take a sip of water and relax before continuing. You can also ask the interviewer to repeat the question if needed."

Honesty is the best policy. Admit that you have not been exposed to such a scenario, and then go on to say how you would have approached the situation. Remember we are all learning even in interviews :)

It happens to us all! Here are a couple of suggestions: - Ask the interviewer if you could take a minute to think about the question. It's okay to pause. Silence during an interview can feel awkward, but it's normal. You might just find that spark during the moment of reflection. - If you just can't think of anything, ask if it would be ok to revisit the question. If you still can't come up with the answer you wish to provide when that time comes, be honest that you don't have the answer, but share an idea. You could start with "I haven't experienced this before" and share what you might do in that situation. I always value hearing what someone could/would do — it gives me insight into what I could expect if they joined the team.

Trazer sua sinceridade, honestidade e transparência vai falar sobre você, se você mentir também vai falar sobre você. Entrevista é autoconhecimento, é você saber o que você fez bem feito, o que você é realmente bom ! E trazer todos esses pontos na entrevista.

We are all human, so let the interviewer know and ask them to reask or rephrase the question. Use that time to come up with an example or answer.

Preparation is really important! Here are some recommendations: - Refer to blogs that provide you with commonly asked questions. - Prepare ahead by thinking through 1-2 examples of your experience as it pertains to some of the commonly asked questions. - Time your answers in advance. I always run examples through my head twice - once for the time I think I'll have, once should I have to provide a short, succinct answer (it's easy to run out of time!) - Have your resume available for reference. It can be hard to remember data/trends. You can let the interviewer know that you're taking a quick look at some of the data you've gathered, take a moment to pause, and continue the conversation.

Vous avez le droit d'avoir votre CV entre les mains lors d'un entretien d'emabauche. C'est aussi correct de s'y referer! Avec un grand parcours professionnel, il est normal de ne pas avoir en tête chaque détail et d'avoir des blancs en etrevue. Préparez vous en relisant votre CV, mais si cela vous rassure, gardez le avec vous.

An often-overlooked aspect for candidates is preparing questions for the interviewer. Securing the job and excelling in it requires different strategies. Ask yourself “Do I want to succeed in this role?” And if yes, your success involves thoughtful questions. Here are some questions to consider: 1. “How will my performance be evaluated or measured in this role?” 2. “Could you describe the leadership style of the manager for this position?” 3. “What led to the vacancy of this role and what are the expectations moving forward?”

Take a moment to collect your thoughts and then smoothly transition by saying something like, "I appreciate the opportunity to discuss my experiences. Can you provide feedback or share more about what specific qualities you are looking for in this role?" This not only buys a moment to refocus but also shows initiative and a genuine interest in meeting the interviewer's expectations. After the interview, a thoughtful follow-up email can express gratitude, reiterate key points, and address any concerns, reinforcing my commitment to the position.

À la fin de l'entrevue, ne posez surtout pas la question '' qu'est ce que je peux améliorer'' cela pourrait démontrer un côté insécure de vous! Demandez plutôt'' qu'est ec que vous recherchez chez un candidat''. À la fin de l'entrevue, ne posez pas de question concernant la prochaine étape, soyez stratégique et posez des questions qui démontrent votre intérêt envers l'entreprise, du genre: ''quels sont vos projets, prévoyez-vous des innovations, comment se passe l'ambiance de l'équipe du département...''

I don't recommend asking the interviewer(s) if they have concerns about your qualifications or fit for the role. You want to end by confidently stating your strengths for the role. Please be prepared with questions for the interviewer(s)! You don't necessarily need to wait until the end of the interview to ask them either. Ask questions that you need the answers to and that will help you make your decision about whether this is the right role for you. Ask questions to better understand the management style, company culture, how performance will be measured, the attitude/response toward mistakes , etc. Avoid questions you can easily Google the answers to. And yes, do send a thank-you note as recommended here.

Sending a thank-you note is like adding the perfect seasoning to your salad. But asking for a feedback before they’ve popped the hiring confetti is like asking a plant for its review before it even sprouts. Hold off until you’re either celebrating or consoling yourself with ice cream.

In the heat of a job interview, drawing a blank happens to the best of us. To get back on track, take a deep breath, refocus on the question, and if needed, ask for a moment to gather your thoughts. Don't be afraid to admit you need a second—it shows honesty. Reflect on relevant experiences, and if the question stumps you, pivot to related skills or your enthusiasm for the role. It's about staying composed and steering the conversation back in your favor.

Taking a moment to breathe and compose yourself is crucial. Acknowledge the pause gracefully, mentioning that you'd appreciate a moment to gather your thoughts. Redirect the conversation by revisiting a previous question or highlighting a relevant aspect of your experience. Alternatively, ask for clarification or additional information on the current topic to buy time and regain your focus. Remember, it's okay to take a brief pause to collect your thoughts rather than rush into an answer.

First remember, it happens. How you adapt to it will likely be noticed. Take a beat. Gather your thoughts. Be honest. You can even say, I apologize, I’m a bit nervous, do you mind repeating the question? Active listening in an interview is one of the most important things you can practice. You’ve prepped. You know your area of expertise, you even know where you may have some gaps. If you practice active listening, and stay in the moment, without worrying about what to say next, you’ll be more likely to stay on track.

Overall, remember that an interview is a two-way street. It's as much about you assessing the company as it is about them assessing you. Taking control of the situation by pausing, breathing, and employing these strategies can help you navigate through those occasional blank moments.

Effective preparation will help you navigate around any sudden freeze. Have all your prep notes outlined and readily available, that way if you find yourself drawing a blank you can reflect with ease. Of course if you are blanking on a hard skill such as a coding component then learn from the experience and use it as a driver for future meetings. Preparation is key. Always.