What do you do when you are given an assignment and are unfamiliar with how to complete the task?
The interviewers ask this question to gain insight into your communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. They would like to know how you tackle unfamiliar assignments and know you will ask for help when needed. 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. Describe how you approach a situation you are unfamiliar with.
"It depends on the assignment. If it is something 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 am working 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."
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
I am normally very determined to figure out things even if I am not familiar with them. f the assignment has no time constraint then I research and exhaust all possible avenues before I reach out to someone to ask for a lending hand. This way I get to involve my team and collaborate with them so that the assignment can be finished as expected.
Jaymie's Feedback
Excellent. You demonstrate that you're able to self-help and utilize available resources, while also acknowledging that you are not afraid to ask for help when needed.
