"I welcome the unfamiliar at work because it means that I have an opportunity to learn and grow as a professional. When I first receive something like this, I often start by asking clarifying questions about the material or project to better gauge my level of understanding. After that, I might simply research on my own depending on the circumstances and my level of non-understanding. However, if it is particularly complex, or if my understanding is minimal, then I would seek guidance from a supervisor or colleague. I have so much to learn from others at work, and I always appreciate the opportunity to develop in that way as a professional when I'm able. I would look forward to bringing this same attitude to work at Boeing."

"The first thing I would do if presented with new material I didn't understand would be to research the material on my own. I would spend enough time to make sure I understood the basic concepts involved. From there, I would ask my supervisor for clarification and guidance on how I could continue my education on the subject. This might include shadowing, practicing a new skill, or working with a new system.

I really enjoy learning new things and exploring new opportunities. Boeing has a strong track record of innovation and allowing employees to learn on the job. These are some of the main reasons I am excited about the possibility of joining your organization."

"I have worked with defense systems for a long time. Threats constantly change and I am always researching new concepts as they are developed. I would do the same at Boeing.

My typical approach begins with digging into whatever materials I can get my hands on. Data is often classified in this space, so I read whatever information is available to me at my clearance level. From there, I meet with my superiors to ask them for guidance. They typically have higher levels of clearance and access to helpful information. They can usually steer me in the direction I need to go. In the event further information is unavailable, I work with the experts in my field to prototype solutions and experiment to find the best way forward."

"As an analyst, one of my primary roles is to understand information that is originally unclear. I am comfortable working in ambiguous environments and I use a variety of methods to review the information available and determine how to proceed.

One of the main methods I lean on first is research. I review the available data, review similar situations and outcomes, and look for any patterns or trends that apply. I also interview subject matter experts, colleagues, clients, or users to help me gain context and clarification on the results of my research. For example, in the case of a task that is unclear, I might ask a mentor or supervisor to walk me through a time when they approached something similar.

Finally, I shadow, observe, and practice if I am presented with a new area that requires me to gain operational experience. Depending on the situation, I would apply one or more of these techniques when presented with new material or a task that was unclear at Boeing."

"As a project manager, I typically lean on the relationships I form to assist me when I am presented with something that is new or unclear. I work with cross-functional teams of subject matter experts and senior stakeholders. They represent a vast pool of knowledge and expertise to lean on. My approach usually involves asking around to see if anyone has tackled something similar, and then breaking the assignment down into actionable tasks from there.

I would apply a similar process at Boeing. I would ask my team to see if they could help me to clarify the situation, and then I would seek guidance from any available subject matter experts as needed until I could develop a reasonable plan."

"My assignments as a software engineer frequently have elements that are unknown. For example, the business requirements for a solution may be clear, but the design may be unknown. Likewise, I may know how the system I am an engineer for will function, but I may not know how a downstream integration point will be affected if I make a change.

My go-to approach in situations that are unclear or new is to ask around and to experiment. I discuss complex scenarios with technical leads, other engineers at my company, or with development communities online. Chances are that someone has faced something similar. I also build small units of code or prototypes to test assumptions and experiment before proceeding with full blown implementations if the end result is unclear. I feel confident I would be able to handle new or unclear situations here at Boeing using a similar approach."

Use this question to display to the interviewers how you identify where your gaps of understanding are as well as the initiative you take to seek solutions or support. As you answer, be sure to reiterate that you use your solid communication skills in seeking understanding. Align your response directly with Boeing's values and prove that you have a multifaceted approach to taking action when a gap in your knowledge exists.