> *How You Handle Questions You Don’t Know Matters Just as Much as the Ones You Do* In interviews, it’s common for employers to ask questions that challenge you — maybe about a technical skill, a scenario you’ve never faced, or something slightly outside your experience. The purpose isn’t always to test your knowledge directly; often, it’s to observe how you react under pressure and whether you can think on your feet. *Why it matters:* Real-world jobs involve uncertainty. No one knows everything, and hiring managers know that. They want to see if you’ll panic, fake an answer, or admit when you don’t know something — and then show willingness to learn. *It reveals soft skills.* Your response demonstrates your communication skills, honesty, critical thinking, and even humility. These traits are often just as important as technical skills, especially for team environments. *It shows coachability.* If you say something like, “I haven’t worked directly with that tool, but I’m familiar with similar ones and I’m confident I can pick it up quickly,” you’re showing adaptability and a growth mindset — things interviewers love. *How to handle unknown questions:* Stay calm and don’t rush. Take a moment to think before answering. _Be honest._ Admit you don’t know, but pivot to something related: “I haven’t used that specific system, but I’ve worked with similar platforms like X and Y.” _Ask for clarification if needed._ Sometimes the question is open-ended or vague — seeking clarity shows initiative. _Show willingness to learn._ “I’m always open to learning new tools and technologies. I’d be excited to build that skill if given the opportunity.” In short, it's not a weakness to not know everything — but how you handle that moment can turn into a powerful strength in the eyes of the interviewer.