How to Answer: What do you do when you are given an assignment and you are unfamiliar with how to complete the task?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a LifeLabs job interview.
25. What do you do when you are given an assignment and you are unfamiliar with how to complete the task?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer asks this question to gain insight into your communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. They want to understand how you tackle unfamiliar assignments and know you will ask for help when needed.
Written by Krista Wenz on August 14th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Focus on showing how you approach a situation you are unfamiliar with. You want the interviewer to see that you have critical-thinking skills and can research how to complete an assignment. Still, you also want to show them you are unafraid to ask for clarification, so you do not complete the task incorrectly.
Written by Krista Wenz on August 14th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"It depends on the assignment. If it is something I believe I can research and figure out how to complete the task, I will go that route. Suppose the job is something particular to the company I work for and involves a specific way to complete it. In that case, I will tell the person giving me the assignment I am unfamiliar with how to do the task. I will ask them to show me or point me in the right direction so I complete the assignment correctly."
Written by Krista Wenz on August 14th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"I am the type of person that likes to figure things out on my own. I have impeccable research skills, so I can usually find the answer on how to complete a task online. If it is a time-sensitive task and I do not have time to research, I will ask for help on how to perform the assignment given."
Written by Krista Wenz on August 14th, 2022