Should I say this during an interview: “I don’t know what this job involves, but I’ll give it a shot”?

Bluebird: Should I say this during an interview: “I don’t know what this job involves, but I’ll give it a shot”?
I guess I’m just better at being honest than BS-ing and acting like I know what I’m doing. I’m more likely to put myself down than to show off. This is just a general question, not for any specific job.

Answers and Views:

Answer by FireAngel
Generally, businesses like to know that you’re willing to take the initiative to at least find some information about what they do, and what you will be expected to do. Your first problem isn’t what you say, it’s the fact that you’re going into an interview with no clue what the job you’re applying for is!

So, no, you probably shouldn’t say that, but you also probably should KNOW what you’re getting yourself into before you go in for an interview.

Answer by Joseph
No, you should never say that. At least try to find out the specifics of a job/company so you have a general idea what you’ll be doing. It will be much better to say that, “you’ve never done something like this before, but you’re sure it won’t be a problem since you’re a very fast learner.”

Answer by Barry auh2o
They don’t want anyone who will “give it a shot.” They want someone who is genuinely interested.
A better response would be ” This sounds like something I would enjoy doing and I feel that after an appropriate training period I feel I would be able to do it well.”

Answer by Nick
Don’t say I’ll give it a shot. A better answer would be “I will give it my best shot”. Giving something a shot is usually slang language and should be avoided at an interview.

It would be better to use words such as “I am not familiar with the job description but am a fast learner who can adapt quickly. I am confident that I can pick up and learn very quickly and be on my own in a short amount of time”

Best of luck

Answer by lastminute girl
Don’t put yourself down. When you do that you are only sabotaging yourself. You have potential, you just have to learn a little more. =)

Answer by magicbird
Dear Sabrina,

You ask a good question here because I’m sure a lot of young people applying for jobs juggle with the question of ‘honesty’ and ‘BS.’ But NO, do NOT say that ‘you don’t know what the job involves but you’ll give it a shot.’ Because that implies to (or tells) your potential employer that:

1. You didn’t do any research about the company or the job prior to your interview. If you don’t do research about the company in advance (which all books on ‘how to get a job’ tell you to do), then that suggests to them that you don’t care about the kind of work you do and that you aren’t particularly interested in serving their company well.

2. You don’t know what you’re doing and you don’t care. You just want a paycheck.

3. That you only care about yourself, that you don’t care about being a reliable employee, and that you might bail out on them if the job doesn’t meet your expectations. ‘Giving it a shot’ is NOT what employers want to hear. What if you yourself were hiring a nanny for your beloved child–would you want an applicant who said, “I’ll give it a shot”? I don’t think so.

It’s not about ‘BS-ing.’ It’s about caring enough to do your research BEFORE you go for the job interview so you can present yourself as a competent, responsible, sincere person who means to serve the employer well.