Can You Skip a Question During an Interview?

The all-important job interview represents one of the last steps toward success when you apply for a position at a firm you love. As you cruise along with answers you practiced in your head, the interviewers throw a curve ball. Don't be afraid to skip a question during the interview. It could possibly save the day.

Although it sounds counterintuitive, you can still create a lasting impression on your interviewers when you skip a question. This demonstrates an ability to think on your feet and use creative ways to solve a problem. Even if you have to delay answering for a few minutes while you gather your thoughts, when you come back to a question, it means you consider many options to find the best answer before speaking. This technique proves valuable when interacting with clients, customers, managers and other companies. When handled correctly, it is possible to pass on an interview question and come back to it later.

1. Write It Down

As you skip a question, write it down with the pen and notepad you bring with you to the job interview. Tell your interviewers that you plan to come back to the question later. Writing the question actually boosts your brain power as you perform cognitive functions combined with motor coordination, according to a 2014 study in the journal Psychological Science. Writing down the question lets you commit it to memory as you mull over an answer during more mundane times of your interview. When you're ready, own it, and answer the question comprehensively.

2. Take Advantage of the Question

Explain why you can't answer a question right away. Tell your interviewers that when you skip a question, you feel as if you need to learn more about that topic before answering. Turn it into a talking point about how you have not seen that situation in the past, or come up with a hypothetical process as to how you might handle the question. Start a conversation with your prospective manager about why you fit into this role perfectly.

3. Maintain Confidence

Even as you skip a question, maintain your confident attitude. Parlay the question into a few questions you have for the people in front of you. After they answer your questions, formulate the answer to the skipped question in your mind. If you go into the interview positive that you have the qualifications, experience and education for the position, HR simply uses face time to gauge your overall personality.

You already researched the company by reading its goals and mission statement. You even made contacts and connections within the firm to help gain insight into the everyday workings of your prospective employer. Show your confidence by maintaining the correct body language through eye contact, an engaging attitude and correct posture. Lean forward slightly as you ponder the answer. After a few careful moments, explain you need to come back to the answer at a later time.

If you skip a question during the interview, that doesn't mean you fail. Instead, this shows you have the ability to multitask and the poise to correct a situation later. Make sure to thank your interviewers for allowing you to answer the question further along in the process.

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