Almost every job in the universe requires someone who can communicate effectively. Therefore, employers constantly look for effective communicators who can clearly put across different information. We are committed to helping you land the job you need and will look at some of the communication skills questions you might ask in your upcoming interview. Take note of the following and ensure that you have the right answer:
1. How Do You Normally Uphold Effective Communication At Work?
I have discovered that effective communication goes beyond mere talking or passing information. To communicate effectively, one needs to be an active and attentive listener who gives people a chance to air their views without prejudice. Effective communication also involves regular progress updates and briefings, which I normally uphold in the workplace. I also ensure that the information reaches the right parties and constantly watch my tone and body language when interacting. I am definitely a good communicator.
2. How Would You Explain Something Technical To A Colleague Who’s Not From Your Department?
Communicating with a layperson in my area of specialization doesn’t always have to be hard. I usually focus on the most relevant information fast and try as much as possible to connect them with any familiar concept or knowledge they already possess. I also avoid any jargons which may threaten their understanding. Furthermore, I may use other forms of visual illustration, such as pictures.
3. Do You Have Any Preferred Communication Style?
I greatly pride myself in the fact that I am a great and effective communicator. My preferred Communication style is speaking freely and letting thoughts and needs be known. I also love and appreciate honesty in my undertakings and do not, as a result, tolerate any mischief or lies. Lastly, I listen attentively to others instead of only letting my thoughts and ideas be known. I am happy that others also acknowledge this communication style.
4. Have You Ever Had To Deal With Workplace Conflict?
Conflicts are common in workplaces since people differ in opinions, personalities, and priorities. Therefore, what matters is knowing how to solve such conflicts. I once encountered a proud and rude immediate boss who almost frustrated my entire career. After struggling for some time, I pushed for a meeting with the senior manager, in which I explained my predicament. Luckily, she was understanding and talked to my immediate boss. I am glad that things improved after that.
5. Do You Know How To Build Rapport With Fellow Workers?
I have witnessed the importance of building rapport with coworkers and striving to achieve it every day. The easiest and best way to build a rapport with other colleagues is to try and socialize with them as much as possible. I don’t sit by my desk all day, buried deep in my work. I also understand the importance of availability in building a rapport with colleagues. Therefore, I always try to be available and ready to help whenever they need it.
6. Have You Ever Gone Out Of Your Way To Ensure That Someone Understood Whatever You Are Putting Across?
I put in extra effort to ensure that whoever I am communicating with understands me. First, I usually consider my audience to determine the language I should be using. I always use technical jargon when dealing with other experts, which is different when laypeople are involved. I normally use simpler and more refined information when dealing with people without the same technical knowledge or expertise. I once used charts and other visual images to explain a concept to a Colleague from another department. I further gave room for questions that helped me offer more clarifications.
7. Mention A Time When You Had To Break News That People Weren’t Ready To Hear?
As a manager, I have always found myself in such situations. However, I understand the importance of being strong, firm, and ready to tactfully pass any information across whether people would like to hear it or not. I once had to communicate to hundreds of casual employees that their services were no longer needed and that they shouldn’t report for work the next day. I first thanked them for whatever they were doing for the organization, explained why we were downsizing, and promised them that they would be the first to know if anything changed. It worked, and we had no bad blood afterward.
8. Which Skills Do You Need To Influence Others?
It’s important to know how to influence others in the workplace as it helps gain their support and rally them towards a common cause. I am glad that I can bring my negotiation skills to play, which helps me influence others when a deal is on the table or win their support. Other important skills are convincing and bargaining skills, which help win people over and, where necessary, win their support. All in all, I believe that I have everything it takes to convince people.
9. Mention An Experience Where You Used Your Negotiation Skills To Arrive At A Solution
I was once tasked with leading a project that required all executives’ support. 3/4 supported my decision while one did not. I had to bring him on board, an experience that put my negotiation skills to the test. I arranged a meeting to explain how her department would benefit and what it meant to the company. After a more than 30 minutes closed-door meeting, she relented, and I could easily work on the project. It turned out successful.
10. Have You Ever Withheld Your Opinion And Tried Other People’s Opinions First?
I normally give other people a chance to air their views as openly as possible. I understand the importance of teamwork. While working on the best way to maximize returns on an investment the company had undertaken, I had a different idea than increasing funding and limiting expenses. However, I withheld my opinions and let others air their views. We were able to develop different opinions that worked better than mine, teaching me the importance of letting others also air their views.
11. How Do You Normally Respond To Situations Where Other People Find It Hard To Communicate With You?
I normally ensure that I create the right environment for people to communicate easily with me. However, when other people still find it hard to communicate with me, I remove all the barriers to create a safe and effective environment for communication. I also ensure that people are relaxed by giving them time to achieve composure. I have learned that people will only communicate easily with you if given the right chance or empowerment.
12. In Your Opinion, What Is The Best Way To Communicate Effectively?
The best way to communicate effectively is to be as clear as possible and confident enough to air your views without any fear or favor. Effective Communication also includes understanding your audience and tailoring your communication around them. One should know how to handle laypersons and experts differently, ensuring they understand whatever is being put across. Lastly, allowing for clarifications is also one of the best ways to communicate effectively.
13. What Do You Normally Do When Someone Is Deliberately Not Being Upfront With You And Giving Vague Information Instead?
I normally make sure that everybody understands the importance of clarity when communicating. I also have a way of determining correct or correct information. In such an instance, I will clarify with a superior or research on my own to figure out the specific information required for a given task. I normally have the company’s best interest. I will therefore find a way of getting clarifications and working around the vague information.
14. How Would You Advise Someone To Be An Effective Listener?
I believe that effective communication involves both listening and speaking, which should be done excellently. One needs to be a good listener to understand the other party. Anybody struggling with effective listening should first fully focus on the speaker, show interest in whatever they are saying, avoid unnecessary interruptions, and listen with an open mind, without any judgment or prejudices. All in all, effective listening is about giving the other party a chance to air their views.
15. How Would You Solve An Issue Despite The Other Party Struggling To Communicate Effectively?
I normally look at more than just words when communicating. I understand and know many work-related languages and don’t need someone to be overly clear to put across important information. This language can help me fill in the blanks. I can also recognize and appreciate human emotions, which I believe come in handy during such circumstances. Furthermore, I would strive to remove any communication barrier that may inhibit effective communication. I have proven repeatedly that knowing how to work around communication is the only solution in such situations.
16. Do You Know Some Of The Common Communication Barriers Employees Face?
Most of the communication barriers employees face are cut across different organizations and settings. These include language barriers that touch on linguistic ability, psychological barriers that include the sending, receipt, and perception of the message, and systematic barriers in organizations with ineffective information systems. Everybody should work hard to eradicate such barriers and prevent communication issues. I am willing to work with other employees to that effect.
17. How Would You Rectify A Situation That Leaves Your Credibility Compromised?
Nobody wants their credibility to be compromised, given the importance of trust in the organization. Therefore, any situation that leaves people asking questions should always be corrected as first as possible. Whenever I find myself in such a situation, I work on strengthening my bargaining power and educating myself around all the issues surrounding the situation before bouncing back. I normally end up with a stringer position that helps me win over the employees easily. I know how to work in my credibility, which is one of the reasons I have gotten this far in my career.
18. How Will You Sell Your Ideas To Others?
Selling ideas to others, whether managers or colleagues, requires more than fluentness and the ability to pass information clearly. I will use my persuasion and negotiation skills, informing them about what they stand to gain if they adopt my ideas and what it means for the entire organization. I will ensure that they don’t feel pressured or compelled to accept my ideas by leaving some time for questions and clarifications. I may also have to bargain and cut a deal with them.
19. Have You Ever Asked For Direct Feedback From A Superior?
I normally ensure that I have all the necessary information to avoid going back and forth when working on a project. However, I do not also shy away from asking for direct feedback or opinion from a superior. I once submitted a proposal by my manager, who took too long to communicate back. I emailed him asking for feedback, and when I didn’t get one after days, I walked up to his office. I discovered that he had been extremely occupied and didn’t, therefore, get the chance to go through the proposal. Luckily, he finally approved it.
20. How Will You Create An Environment Where Everyone Can Freely Communicate?
I believe that the best way to create an environment where everyone can freely communicate is to have the right systems in place for passing information and giving feedback. Employees must also feel respected and valued for effective communication. Lastly, one needs to be an attentive listener to make the other party feel unjudged and make them ready to speak out their mind without fear or favor. I will do a good job by following all these in the workplace if given a chance.
21. Can You Work Well With Other People?
Yes. I believe that I can work well with everyone regardless of their status or personality. I can communicate effectively with others, which has helped me scale such heights in my career. I can also effectively motivate others by praising their efforts, which has really helped me get along well. I will definitely do a good job when I start working here since I can blend in well with others.
22. How Would You Deal With Communication Challenges On A Remote Team?
I have worked with several remote teams in my career. Therefore, I understand how challenging communicating over the phone and with other remote teams can be. I normally ensure that everyone has stable internet before the start of meetings and further record the meetings/presentations for those who cannot be with us at that time. I also normally make sure that everybody minimizes all distractions by turning on their cameras which tells the group members what everybody else is doing. I also normally ensure that the team is equipped with the right gadgets such as microphones to ensure clarity and better reception of messages and information. At the end of the day, everybody in my team is always informed.
23. This Job Requires Lots Of Presentations. What Would You For If Your Audience Seems Disengaged During A Presentation?
I attended lots of public speaking classes when I discovered that I had a problem with speaking before a large group of people. Therefore, I know exactly what to do during such instances. Whenever I feel like my audience is disengaged, I often veer off from the discussion a little bit and tell a story or share a personal experience. I may also relate the event to a recent event or indicate something essential about the audience or the specific setting. I am glad to point out that these are often worn out in the end.
24. Have You Ever Interacted With An Angry Client?
Yes. I have interacted with lots of angry clients. However, I often believe that all clients should be accorded the highest level of respect, regardless of their social or economic positions and the surrounding circumstances. Whenever I come across an angry client, I give them time to rant and listen to their problems, after which I apologize and weigh all the available solutions before putting them forward. I may also refer them to the proper authorities where I can’t offer sufficient help.
25. How Would You Respond To A Negative Online Review?
I have handled lots of negative reviews in my career. However, I always believe that the best way of replying to them is by understanding the situation first before crafting an answer. Some clients have good intentions and are offering positive criticism. Therefore, rude replies may not reflect well on the organization. If given a chance in this field, I will professionally handle all the negative online reviews.
Conclusion
These are some of the most common interview questions that you should expect in your line of work. Ensure that you review them and think about the best answers that will guarantee success in your interviews. Make sure that you also work on your grooming to give a better first impression.
