Here's how you can navigate a situation where you don't know the answer to an interview question.

First should take a deep breath to manage any immediate stress or anxiety.Maintain eye contact and a confident posture. Walk through your thought process. This demonstrates problem-solving skills and how you approach unfamiliar situations. It possible, offer to follow up with an answer after the interview.

Aim to build a rapport with the interviewer in the early stages of the interview, be open, friendly and eager. Getting a good conversation going will do wonders for nerves and help deal with issues like this. Remember they aren’t typically there to try and break you, and it’s a two way process of you finding out about them and the company as much as them finding about you and your skills.

Always be honest, humble, and don't worry about your vulnerabilities. In fact make light of them. Most employers/Interviewers can see through any facade you may believe you have, so be confident in being sure you are always best when your being yourself.

While you can't prepare for everything, preparation aids in responding the vast majority of questions posed in an interview. If the question is technical and complex, it is best to reflect your actual level of knowledge. If it is an interpersonal question, I find it best to take a moment (and a deep breath) to think about scenarios that fit the question posed and respond from your unique experience. In either case, convey that you are an avid learner and are excited to continue learning, independently and from colleagues.

If you don't know the answer to a question in an interview, it's important to stay calm and honest. Here's what you can do: Admit it It's okay to admit when you don't know something. Be honest and say, "I'm not sure about that, but I'm eager to learn more." Discuss how you would go about finding the answer. This demonstrates problem-solving skills and resourcefulness. If you have relevant experience or knowledge, you can mention it even if it doesn't directly answer the question. Sometimes, asking for clarification or additional context can help you better understand the question and potentially lead you to an answer. Maintain a positive attitude and don't let one unanswered question affect the rest of the interview.

In my experience being honest during an interview is the best course of action. Responses such as “I have not worked with this yet”, “this is a great question I need to think about it”, or simply “I don’t know” can make a strong positive impression

I am a hydraulic modeling expert, but that doesn't mean I know everything about hydraulic modeling. At one of my job interviews, I was asked about transient modeling, which is equal parts art and science. It takes time to fully grasp it. I responded honestly, saying that while I studied the principles in school, I had never worked on transient modeling projects. I actually landed that job. The interviewers were initially concerned about how I would apply my experience with Bentley Water Hammer software to support design projects. However, my candidness about my experience and eagerness to learn more proved to be valuable.

Avoid playing games. Explain what you do know, and your willingness to learn to continue to grow in the areas you don't. But don't play games with the interviewer. That does not work.

You might say, "That's an interesting question. I don't have the answer at the moment, but I am keen to learn more about it." This shows your openness and readiness to grow, which are valued attributes in any field.

A engenheira ambiental assim como qualquer profissão possui vários campos e é humanamente impossível você dominar todos. Eu diria que é importante você reconhecer e demonstrar essa amplitude sempre pontuando o que você domina e o que você precisa se desenvolver mais. A transparência e honestidade para mim são valores inegociáveis!

Sometimes asking for perspective will help. 1. It gives you and the interviewer an opportunity to get on the same page. 2. It gives you time to formulate a more concise response. If you still don't understand what the interviewer is asking be honest. " I don't understand your question" or if the question requires knowledge you don't have make that clear and advise the interviewer that you will research the information and get back to the interviewer. Be specific about when... then be sure to reply within the time frame you promised. This does 2 things. 1. It gives the interviewer an understanding of your willingness to admit when you are lacking. 2. It gives you a chance to follow-up with an answer and that you do what you say.

Se você não tiver certeza do que o entrevistador está perguntando, peça para ele esclarecer. Isso demonstra que você está interessado em entender a pergunta e que está disposto a se esforçar para fornecer a melhor resposta possível.

Be honest with the interviewer and say "can you rephrase that?" or "what is the end goal of the question?" can go a long way. It will also give your brain a chance to refocus and possibly interpret the next question better.

Most of the time asking for clarifications resolves this problem and helps you to respond appropriately. Otherwise you risk answering incorrectly which can put you out of the selection process. Furthermore, you demonstrate that you are willing to investigate situations that you do not know or do not fully understand in order to give an appropriate solution at the end.

If you don’t understand an interview question, ask the interviewer to rephrase or provide more context. This can give you the information needed to respond accurately. Plus, it shows that you are thorough and attentive to detail, important qualities for an Environmental Engineer dealing with complex projects and data. For example, you might say, “Could you please clarify what you mean by that?” This not only helps you answer more effectively but also demonstrates your commitment to precision and understanding.

Relatar experiências ou até mesmo pegando assunto de artigos ou trabalhos realizados sem duvida é um grande aliado para conseguir passar e demostrar algo que queira passar.

An example I have seen some questions that I have no sure answer such that question I related my previous experience which is similar or equivalent the real answer of the question. I believe keeping calmed or silent is not good rather than relating experience and suggesting alternative

En lo particular en algunas ocasiones he destacado situaciones que me han pasado y como he logrado solucionar impases de manera satisfactoria

Mesmo que você não tenha a resposta exata para a pergunta, você pode tentar relacioná-la a uma experiência relevante em seu histórico profissional ou acadêmico. Isso demonstra que você tem habilidades e conhecimentos que podem ser úteis para a empresa.

La experiencia siempre será tu mejor arma al momento de resolver problemas o temas que se te presenten, es una manera muy práctica y honesta de demostrar las habilidades que manejas frente a los cambios del dia a dia y le dará una idea a tu reclutador sobre como tu puedes resolver situaciones en la empresa creando valor agregado a tu entrevista.

If you don’t know the exact answer just ask for more details. Based on the provided details, try to answer the different approach you can apply to find solutions as same problem can have different ways to address them.

Se você não tiver uma resposta para a pergunta, mas conhece alguém que possa ter, você pode sugerir que o entrevistador entre em contato com essa pessoa. Isso demonstra que você é proativo e que está disposto a ajudar a empresa a encontrar a melhor solução para o problema.

Cada cabeza es un mundo y siempre es bueno expresar las ideas que se tienen sobre posibles soluciones a problemas, siempre y cuando se nos solicite hacerlo y aun si no, las sugerencias siempre siembran una semilla de conocimiento sobre acciones especificas en un tema.

If you can’t provide a specific answer, offer alternative solutions or approaches to the problem. This demonstrates your critical thinking and creativity—essential skills for an Environmental Engineer who often needs to develop innovative solutions to environmental problems. It also shows that you’re proactive and willing to think outside the box. For instance, you might say, “I don’t have the exact answer, but one approach could be…” This way, you showcase your ability to tackle challenges with flexibility and ingenuity.

If unable to answer the question or provide specifics, try the approach of providing alternatives. For example if you don't know specifics, referance materials or publications where you would go find the information to answer the question with more detail. They can not expect you knowing every detail to the question, but explaing your thought process and approach to getting the required information will demonstrate troubleshooting skills required in real life.

I have come across a senior manager who told me this is not a school for you to learn. It was the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard in my life. Learning never stops & it is a fool who things they know everything. So buckle up. Take each experience as a learning whether it is good or bad. Be courageous & let your opinions shine.

Always make sure to learn something new from every interview. Whether you get in or not, interviews are very educative sessions. See every interview as a preparation for the next interview you’ll be invited to in future. Arm your arsenal !!! And when opportunity meets preparedness, success is inevitable.

Se você realmente não sabe a resposta para a pergunta, você pode usar essa oportunidade para aprender algo novo. Diga ao entrevistador que você pesquisará a resposta e entrará em contato com ele posteriormente. Isso demonstra que você é curioso e que está sempre buscando aprender coisas novas.

Lastly, use this as a learning opportunity. Express your willingness to research the topic post-interview and follow up with an informed response if appropriate. This approach not only demonstrates your dedication to continuous learning but also keeps the door open for further discussion with the employer. In the field of Environmental Engineering, where technologies and regulations are constantly evolving, a commitment to ongoing education is crucial for long-term success. By showing that you are proactive about filling knowledge gaps, you highlight a key trait that employers value: the drive to stay updated and informed in a dynamic industry.

Nunca dejemos de buscar el crecimiento personal y profesional, la curiosidad y el deseo de superación nos llevan a alcanzar nuestras metas. Abraza cada experiencia con tu mente abierta.

O melhor caminho sempre será a verdade. A engenheira ambiental é uma área ampla e dificilmente saberemos tudo. Sempre haverá novidades no mercado e no dia a dia do trabalho. A habilidade de aprendizagem e melhoria contínua pode impulsionar qualquer pessoa a buscar as respostas. Deixar isso claro pode ser um bom caminho pra ser honesto e transparente nesse processo de alinhamento de expectativa .

Manter contato visual com o entrevistador: Isso demonstra confiança e interesse na conversa. Falar de forma clara e concisa: Evite gaguejar ou falar muito rápido. Usar uma linguagem corporal positiva: Mantenha a postura ereta e os ombros relaxados. Agradecer ao entrevistador pelo seu tempo. Lembre-se que, mesmo que você não saiba a resposta para todas as perguntas da entrevista, ainda é possível causar uma boa impressão no entrevistador. Ao seguir as dicas acima, você poderá demonstrar suas habilidades e qualidades, e aumentar suas chances de conseguir o emprego.

Acho que é sempre legal deicar claro que o desafio e o aprendizado são formas de nos tornar mais resilientes. É aquela história um pouco de desconforto sempre nos faz buscar melhorar.