Some of the questions may take you by surprise. You don't know the answer, but you don't want to sound illiterate and incompetent. Of course, if you cannot remember the formula in the physics exam, it is better to admit directly that you have not prepared. But in other cases, try to turn the situation in your favor.
Instructions
Step 1
Pause briefly before speaking. It will take you no more than 8 seconds to understand if you can at least partially answer or change the topic of the conversation better. Take a breath and smile at the other person.
Step 2
Ask to repeat the question. Perhaps you will find that it contains subtext, hidden meaning. Or the question will turn out to be complex, consisting of several parts. Check if you got the point right. This will buy you some time to think.
Step 3
Think out loud. Recall all the information known to you on this issue. Comparing them, try to find the answer in a logical way. For example, your interlocutor asks if there is life on Mars? You do not know this, but you begin to think about the absence of an atmosphere there, remember the recently read popular article about extraterrestrial civilizations, etc. And now you can confidently answer: "No, this is fantastic."
Step 4
Ask for some time to think if you do not want to let the other person in your train of thought. Say that you understand the importance of the question asked, so you need a few minutes to clearly formulate the answer.
Step 5
Admit that you don't have the information you need at the moment, but you know where to find the answer. This method will come in handy in a difficult interview situation. You will show yourself to be honest and capable of self-improvement.
Step 6
Forward the question to those around you, ask for their opinion. Perhaps one of those present is well versed in this topic and will shine with pleasure with erudition. Or a discussion will start. In both cases, you will avoid having to answer the uncomfortable question yourself. If by common efforts the answer is not found, try to defuse the situation with a joke about the powerlessness of the "collective mind".
Step 7
Return the question to the person who asked it. It is believed that answering a question with a question is bad form. But this is the best way to deal with inappropriate questions about your personal qualities, privacy or trade secrets. Use a simple formulation: "How would you yourself answer this question?" or "Would you say something like that about yourself?"
Step 8
Admit that you do not have an answer, because this topic is not interesting to you. You cannot know the name of the captain of the Brazilian national football team if you do not like the game and have not seen a single match. But when answering in this way, try to be as correct as possible and not offend the feelings of the interlocutor.
