If you're interviewing for jobs, sooner or later a recruiter will ask about a skill you don't have. If this happens, what can you do?
"Have you ever used...?"
"Do you have experience with...?"
“Have you ever done...?”
While these questions seem straightforward, they're actually tricky if the answer is “no.” Saying "no'' can end that first conversation. Saying “no” can make it seem like you're not qualified. Saying no can move you from the recruiter's "maybe" pile to the "no" pile.
And the kicker? Chances are you are qualified and you do have relevant experience. Answering with a simple "no" doesn't let you show this. That's a disservice to your abilities.
So how do you respond when the short answer is “no?” There’s an art to this. Let’s explore the approach that I use with my clients: Start with “no,” but don’t end with “no.”
An alternative: The "no, but..." approach
So, what's the alternative? Say “no, but…” Then use the rest of your answer to talk about the relevant skills you do have.
Here’s the approach:
Acknowledge the question and say "no, but..."
Continue your answer, moving from the specific skill they asked about to the general type of skill it represents.
For example:
If they asked about Microsoft Project, you would shift to project management tools.
If they asked about Scala, you would shift to programming languages.
If they asked about Calendly, you would shift to online scheduling tools.
3. Talk about your experience at that level. Mention your experience with other, related tools.
4. Connect back to the thing they originally asked about. Tie everything together. Explain that your related experience will make it easy to pick up the skill they asked about.
An example
Sound complicated? Let’s look at an example:
Interviewer: Have you ever used Figma?
Interviewee: Have I ever used Figma? Not exactly, but Figma is just one of the popular tools used for wireframing, prototyping, and UX design, and I’ve used many of the other big tools. I’m expert in Sketch and have used it for all of my recent work. For prototyping I pair it with Invision. Before Sketch I used Axure for years, and before that I used Omnigraffle. They all have similar features and because I’ve used several of them I’m sure I can pick up Figma really quickly.
See how it works? This answer acknowledges the original question. Then it uses the opening to talk about relevant, related experience.
This is much stronger than a simple “no.”
A few last words
This approach lets you show more of your skills, while being completely honest about your strengths and experience. It’s also positive and shows confidence. So the next time a recruiter asks about skills or experience you don't have, see if this approach helps. Use the question as an opportunity to talk about relevant skills. With a little practice, you'll be able to navigate these questions with ease.
Corbet Fawcett is a career coach who helps professionals tackle challenging job searches and land roles they (finally!) love. Struggling to stand out in your own job search? Get a free cover letter template.
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