During a recent conversation with a friend, he shared his challenges in addressing certain questions during a technical interview. Observing his struggle, I took it upon myself to consolidate the methods I'm familiar with for handling such situations. Additionally, I conducted further research on the matter and compiled a blog post outlining effective strategies to navigate such interview scenarios. Below, you'll find a summary of these valuable approaches.

Technical interviews can be challenging, especially when you encounter questions that you don't know how to answer. Here are some tips on how to handle such situations:

1. Stay Calm and Positive: It's normal to not know everything, and interviewers don't expect you to. Stay calm and confident, and don't let one question ruin your performance. Maintaining a positive and composed demeanor can leave a good impression.
2. Be honest and Admit not Knowing: Don't try to bluff or make up an answer that you're not sure about. It's better to admit that you don't know the answer than to risk giving a wrong or misleading one. You can say something like, "I'm sorry, I don't know the answer to that question," or "That's a good question, but I'm afraid I'm not familiar with that topic."
3. Show your thought process: Even if you don't know the answer, you can still demonstrate your problem-solving skills and logical thinking by explaining how you would approach the question or what steps you would take to find the answer. You can say something like, "I don't know the exact answer, but here's how I would try to figure it out," or "I'm not sure about that, but based on what I know, I would guess that..."
4. Ask for clarification or hints: Sometimes, the question might be unclear or too broad, and you might need more information to answer it. Don't be afraid to ask the interviewer to clarify the question, give an example, or provide a hint. This shows that you're interested and engaged, and that you're willing to learn. You can say something like, "Can you please explain what you mean by that?" or "Can you give me a hint or point me in the right direction?"
5. Redirect to a related topic: If you don't know the answer to a specific question, but you do know something related to it, you can try to redirect the conversation to a topic that you're more comfortable with. This shows that you have some relevant knowledge and experience, and that you can make connections between different concepts. You can say something like, "I'm not sure about that, but I do know that..." or "That's a good question, but I can't answer it directly. However, I can tell you about..."
6. Show Enthusiasm to Learn: Express a willingness to learn and a genuine interest in acquiring new knowledge. Emphasize that you are open to learning and growing in the role.
7. Highlight Relevant Skills: Use the opportunity to discuss other relevant skills and experiences that showcase your qualifications for the position.
8. Follow Up: If you don't know the answer during the interview but later figure it out, consider sending a follow-up email to the interviewer. This shows your commitment to problem-solving and continuous learning.

These are some general strategies that can help you deal with questions you don't know how to answer in technical interviews. Of course, the best way to prepare for technical interviews is to study and practice as much as you can, and to learn from your mistakes and feedback. Remember, technical interviews are not just about getting the correct answer; they also assess your problem-solving skills, thought process, and how well you handle challenges.