Is it ok to say, "I don't know" during an interview?

I think that's the worse answer you could ever give during an interview?It's just like better not going for an interview? Especially if the question posted is "why do you want to work here"

There are a number of ways this could be answered. If you have a definite goal in mind for why you want to work there, that would be best. If you need to BS your way through the question, you could say something that you know about the company (if you did your homework before the interview) and that is why you want to work there. It is probably best to say something like that so that they know that you are really interested in the company and not just someone looking for a job.

Hi Mark98, if the employer asks you why you want to work there, the worst answer is to say you do not know. You have to say something like the company is a stable company or well known company, or you find that you have the necessary skills to do the job. Never say you do not know, since you have applied for the job vacancy in the first place. For some questions, instead of saying you do not know, it is better to say it depends. Such questions usually start with "What do you do when the customer screams at you, and it is not your fault?" These are what we call as situational question. No right or wrong answer. The employer wants to know how quick you are, or what kind of person you are in handling certain difficult situation.

The 'I do not know ' answer indicate that you are lazy to think even for a simple question. At least there is a reason even if you can't think one just create and give that to the interviewer.Please do not say that you do not know, they must be a reason why we seek for jobs.The main reason is because we want to earn money for living plus for a better experience in that career or socializing.Perhaps that could be the answer.If you really do not the answer just say that you will doing the best for the company and yourself.

Well that's quite an answer. Haha.. Well if you are in a job interview, I think answering I don't know would kinda give the interviewer the impression that you are incapable. It's an honest to goodness answer though. Lol. The best answer to that question would be: Because the Vision, mission, and goal of the company is the same as yours. Or because you are confident that you can do the job. Something like that... Though it's not an honest answer though, but I think it can land you a job.

Well I really would not say "I don't know" to a question like 'why do you want to work here.' You need to find out about the company and give solid reasons why you want to work there..like it's a company you respect, you think you could be a benefit to the company and that in turn will be good for you etc. LOL One of the worst answers I heard was.."I need the money"...don't use that ..:) If asked a technical question and you don't know the answer, the best thing to do is be honest..say you don't know. Honesty is admired as long as it isn't something so basic that you 'should know'. Bluffing is bad if you are caught. LOL I hope this is not too confusing. I'd recommend anyone going on an interview review web sites and read questons that are likely to be asked. There are many such sites on the Internet. Good luck!!

What is the point of applying for a particularism job if you don't want to work there? I don't mean to be rude but that is just silly. These days it's so easy to research a company online so you can arm yourself with information before you go for the interview.

Never ever during a job interview say you do not know. It shows that you did not take the time to find out about the company and that you have no idea why you even apply for the job. Why do you want to work here should be the easiest question for any job interview. I say this because, if you should ask yourself why did you apply for the job in the first place, then the answer to why you apply for the job is sometimes always the reason why you want to work at the company. So if I apply for a job as a Web designer, the reason I applied is because I was sure that I can bring my expertise to the company as a web desginer. Hope my response made sense.

Hi. mark98. I think that you should try your best to answer the question as honestly as you can. If you say, "you don't know", then this may make the interviewee feel as you are not sure or that you don't have the necessary skills to do the best that you can on the job if you are hired. Saying, "I don't know", will make it seem as if you are confused or unsure about something. This kind of uncertainty gives off a bad vibe with the interviewee. This could also decrease your chances of ever getting hired too.

I definitely would say that's the best thing to do, during an interview. I would advice not doing this whenever possible. I think that it's better to say something other than you don't know.

I think that answering "I don't know" is probably one of the worst things you could say at an interview...especially to a question such as "why do you want to work here?" I think that no matter what the question a potential employer may ask, you should always give a thoughtful answer. Be honest, but don't disclose more than neccessary, be positive, but not arrogant, and no matter what, don't say that you "don't know". For example, I remember interviewing for a job at a fast food restaraunt once and I was asked why I wanted to work there. The fact of the matter was, I didn't really care where I worked at the time, as long as I got a job. Rather than saying that, or saying, "I don't know", my reply was, "I want to work here because I feel that this job would be a good stepping stone for my future, and to be honest, I really need a job." I thought that my answer to that question would sink me for sure, but I actually got the job.

If you really have no idea about the answer, then you should say "I don't know" instead of trying to make up something untrue, as the interviewer would most likely be able to spot the bluff, and that would make a bad impression on the interviewer. If you have a tiny bit of knowledge about the question, but you're not very sure, then perhaps you should tell the other person what you know. Then add that you are not 100% sure whether it's correct or not, just that what you said is all that you know of. If it's the first case, i.e you totally have no idea what's going on, then you might also want to watch the way you say "I don't know". If you say it in a nonchalant way, it would give the interviewer the impression that you have no interest in whatever you're applying for, and they will never even bother to consider your application. If you say something like "Although I'm not very sure, I'll try my best to learn more about it.", it would appear that you're really eager to take on the job, then the interviewer might consider you as well. If it's a personal question, e.g ,"why do you want to work here.", then saying "I don't know" is not a good answer, because what you're being asked is not technical knowledge that needs to be read up beforehand, but rather it's your personal opinions, your thoughts. So if you say "I don't know", the interviewers might just think that you don't think through things before doing them, or that you've no direction that you want to go. So, to put it simply, if you're being asked about technical knowledge or current affairs that you have never even heard before, then it's better to say "I don't know", in the correct tone and attitude. After all it's better to not know and be honest, rather than trying to produce nonsense then get exposed as a liar. If you have a rough idea about the facts, but you're not very sure, then you should say what you know, then add that what you said is what you understand about the subject. At least you show people that you do have some knowledge about the topic. If it's a personal question, just follow your heart, and answer what you really feel. The interviewer is more likely looking for a sincere answer in this case, not a standard answer.

I was not taught of saying "I don't know" to a job interview question. It is really unprofessional to do so. But I think the best way is to say any possible thing you can to answer the question. Just make sure you are coherent enough in answering the question. Try to ask the interviewer to give you time to think, rather than saying you don't know. You may say, I believe I want to work here because.., or if you have doubts with the question you may ask if she could paraphrase the question. Or you may also say as what I have understood with your question. Try to add filler words before answering the question to give you time to think. Goodluck :)

It depends on the question, somethings are too easy and you must know, like "why you want to work?", when it has a clear response. Others are not so easy. I think the best you can do is being honest with both yourself and your would-be boss. Trying to answer a hard question on the fly is difficult and hard to come with a good response, so if someone asks it, be honest and tell him you don't know, but can come to an answer with more time and patience. You're showin him that you appreciate and respect the job for being sincere, and not simply invent a lie on the fly, such crazy responses end with your boss thinking of you as a liar rather than a responsible person. I find it more usefull to let the employer know my strong points, but also my weaknesess. Where I can be more useful and where I would have troubles may give him an hint of your best position, so he doesn't end firing you after a week. And admit it, nobody is perfect. All of us know some things and ignore others. It's not realistic a person that knows the answer to everything.

I would not say I don't know to the question you quoted "Why do you want to work here" I would answer because your company has such a good reputation or something along these lines. For other question especially technical one it is better to be honest. I used to be a consultant for a job placement company and a little bit of flattery goes a long way, not personal, but saying something nice about the company .

As always it depends on what the questions are. One of the most important things a person can do for themselves is to plan out how your interview may go and then be ready with the answers. The question you referred to is important and one you should always have a good, well thought out, answer for. If someone is looking to hire you they want to know that you are not just looking for a job but that this job is the one you want. How you answer that question tells them all they need to know. It is, however, not as hard as it may sound. When you apply for any position you must then do a little research on that company. When you do that you arm yourself with information that will allow you to demonstrate your interest in that company and the position you are after. What is very important is that you never, ever lie. While you may get away with it, in time, it will catch up with you. If they ask you a question that pertains to your knowledge of the type of work you will be doing and you do not answer truthfully it can actually hurt you. Simply saying that you do not know that will work far better for you than making up a story because it will make you look the fool. The general questions however you can and should prepare for. The internet is a most fantastic place to get all the information you need. It will pay off if you prepare for it.

It is not wrong, though I would personally refrain from doing so myself. I would try to think of some sort of answer, or at least some sort of way to rephrase.

How about saying instead..."I am not very familiar with that, but I would certainly like to look further in to it. It sounds very interesting".

yes you better think of a answer to that question why apply if you don't know the answer

I do not think it would be healthy to be giving such an answer to an interview, not unless the question is absolutely absurd. But then again, sometimes interviewers give trick questions, but it is still healthier to be saying and understanding that they are trick questions rather than saying that you do not know.