We’ve all been there - someone asks a question, and you just don’t have the answer. It could happen during a job interview, in a meeting, or when pitching your research. But not knowing isn’t the problem. How you respond is what makes all the difference.
Experienced researchers don’t always know the answers either. But they’ve learned how to handle it. Here are some common ways you’ll hear them reply:
“The data’s inconclusive”
“There’s no definite conclusion yet, but one idea is...”
“We don’t have enough research on that topic right now”
“That’s beyond the scope of this study”
These answers don’t dodge the question. They buy time, provide context, and sometimes offer a path forward.
So, why do they sound so confident when they don’t know the answer? It’s not that they know everything - it’s that they’ve practiced how to handle what they don’t know.
This is something anyone can get better at. When preparing for an interview or presentation, get clear on your strengths and key points. Practice linking these ideas to potential questions you might not be able to answer directly. You may not have every answer, but you’ll be able to guide the conversation toward what you do know.
And sometimes, “I don’t know” is the best response. Just pair it with, “but here’s what we’re doing to find out” or another relevant follow-up. It’s less about knowing everything and more about showing that you can think critically and adapt in the moment.
-- João
Experienced researchers don’t always know the answers either. But they’ve learned how to handle it. Here are some common ways you’ll hear them reply:
“The data’s inconclusive”
“There’s no definite conclusion yet, but one idea is...”
“We don’t have enough research on that topic right now”
“That’s beyond the scope of this study”
These answers don’t dodge the question. They buy time, provide context, and sometimes offer a path forward.
So, why do they sound so confident when they don’t know the answer? It’s not that they know everything - it’s that they’ve practiced how to handle what they don’t know.
This is something anyone can get better at. When preparing for an interview or presentation, get clear on your strengths and key points. Practice linking these ideas to potential questions you might not be able to answer directly. You may not have every answer, but you’ll be able to guide the conversation toward what you do know.
And sometimes, “I don’t know” is the best response. Just pair it with, “but here’s what we’re doing to find out” or another relevant follow-up. It’s less about knowing everything and more about showing that you can think critically and adapt in the moment.
-- João