Can I ask my interviewer to repeat the question?

Are you wondering if you can ever ask an interviewer to repeat the question?

Consider this, you’re in your job interview. You are being interviewed for your dream job by a panel of three or four interviewers. The first interviewer asks you a fairly straightforward “Talk me through your CV” type question. You get through that one ok.

So far, so good.

Then the next interviewer, perhaps in an attempt to impress their co-interviewers, proceeds to ask you a long-winded question that seems to go on for about 6 lines and has several mini questions held within the main question. Panic.

Which bit should I answer?
Why are they asking this question?
What competency are they testing?
What was the question again?

Can I ask my interviewer to repeat the question?

All of your interview preparation has gone out the window and the only thing you are now thinking is ……Can I ask the interviewer to repeat the question or does that look bad?

It’s ok to say you don’t fully understand what they are asking and ask them to repeat the question

Most of our interview preparation clients are surprised when we tell them that it is okay to look for clarification on interview questions if they are unsure of what is being asked.  How can you do a good job of answering a question if you don’t know exactly what they are asking?

So, ask them to repeat it, ask them to rephrase it – you owe it yourself

Next time you are hit with one of those ridiculously complex interview questions, don’t just answer what you think they may be asking.  Take control and don’t let all of your interview preparation go to waste. Turn the tables by using these clarification phrases (and buy yourself some valuable thinking time in the process):

• Could you repeat the question?
• So if I understand this correctly what you are asking me is……..
• I didn’t quite grasp what you are asking – would you mind rephrasing the question?
• So you are looking for an example of a time when I showed XXXX – let me think….

If you are wondering how to do a great job interview, consider Hilt for Interview Preparation. Working with our Career Consultants who know what employers want will ensure you maximise your chances of securing the job at interview.