Interview questions to ask candidates about communication

Having a plan for how to answer your interview questions builds confidence and lends a natural fluidity to your responses showing you can be at ease under stressful situations. Hiring managers often ask about your communication skills to understand how you’ll fit within the company culture and to gain insight into your interpersonal skills. When practicing your own responses for communication interview questions, consider using the STAR method to frame your answer. STAR is an acronym that prompts you to detail a situation, indicate the task you needed to complete, describe the actions you took, and share the direct results of those actions.

Review the questions below and use the example responses to help you format your own responses to communication interview questions.

What is your communication style?

Your response to this question can show self-reflection and enables you to highlight your verbal communication skills. Although knowing your specific communication style is unnecessary, you can find online quizzes to help you identify your own communication style.

Example response:

One of my strongest characteristics is my ability to respond to others. Previously, I had to provide training during our team development day. I spent hours planning. On the day of the presentation, I delivered the introduction and began my first team-building exercise, prompting participants to share ideas.

I quickly observed that what I planned was unnecessary for success. I adjusted the presentation, and we worked through many glitches in our project. We used the extra hours productively and delivered a product launch for our client that increased sales by 20%.

How do you show strong communication skills while at work?

This question presents an opportunity for you to show how well you control your emotional responses and verbal and non-verbal cues to relay important messages. The best way to answer this is to base your response on the core job requirements.

Example response:

I speak up when necessary. Last quarter, I disagreed with our project manager, who was eager to present our plan to the client. However, during our final meeting, I noticed we’d missed a key element that our client valued.

I halted the presentation plan and convinced the team to work a couple more days before presenting. We didn’t meet our specified deadline, but we delivered quality work. The client was so happy that there was never any mention of missed deadlines, and I kept the respect of my team and manager.

Can you relate a time when you faced conflict and the steps you took to resolve it?

Hiring managers want to see how well you handle yourself in difficult situations and resolve conflict responsibly. Your response to this question displays your level of professionalism in the workplace.

Example response: 

In my first year, I was chosen over more experienced individuals to lead a project. One upset team member refused to cooperate. Rather than create more discontent in front of the team, we spoke privately. She expressed her feelings of resentment, which I validated by listening. I suggested we work together on this project to prove her leadership capabilities. We worked closely and forged a friendship. We completed the project, and our manager chose her to lead the next campaign.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

This question allows interviewers to gauge how candidates evaluate their own work. Your answer can show your critical thinking skills as you detail the steps you took to achieve your goal. Describe a work-related accomplishment to show your commitment to the industry, or apply an example outside of your occupational responsibilities to emphasize your personal interests.

Example response: 

I’m most proud of my work for nonprofit organizations. This summer, I volunteered for the local animal shelter. They struggled to provide basic comfort items for the animals, such as blankets to sleep on and toys for enrichment. With the director’s support, I launched a fundraising campaign to collect these items from the community. 

After weeks of phone calls, networking, and driving, we built a pantry for the animals before winter. My work generated community awareness and inspired local businesses to continue supporting the shelter through donations.

What qualities make you a suitable candidate for this role?

This question allows hiring managers to test a candidate’s confidence in their qualifications. Your response can reveal both job-specific and transferable skills you feel are necessary to accomplish daily responsibilities.

Example response:

I am a strong candidate for this role because I have several years of sales and leadership experience. I have led three different teams in successfully developing marketing campaigns that resulted in over 50% increased sales for each of our clients. I will provide a focused dedication to helping the company thrive.

What do you do to build rapport with others?

Your response shows your potential to fit within a team, how efficiently you share information and knowledge, and your ability to receive constructive feedback. Quality rapport improves team productivity and creates employee loyalty.

Example response:

I try to build bonds quickly by showing respect and enthusiasm. I learn everyone’s name, I recognize hard work, and I’m willing to learn from others. I value others’ opinions and create opportunities to connect. At my last company, I organized a potluck every month so we could get to know one another and build respect. I’m still best friends with many of them.”

Are you stronger at written or verbal communication?

Interviews give hiring managers an opportunity to see your qualifications beyond what your resume and application packet include. A direct response to this question emphasizes your listening skills. Besides your response, they can observe your gestures and facial cues.

Example response:

I prefer to talk with people in person because I feel that is most efficient. I am direct and friendly with others and can quickly ask for clarification if I need to. I am working on my written communication skills and often follow up conversations with a quick email for clarity and transparency.

Can you describe yourself?

This is your opportunity to express your strengths and your soft skills in relation to the position.

Example response:

I’m a committed team player with excellent listening skills. The last project I worked on hit a bump when my team members disagreed over strategy. I mediated by listening to each side’s concerns and guided the discussion toward a compromise. Despite the dispute, we finished the project early.

Please describe your greatest accomplishment.

Your response shows your motivation to do a good job, reveals how you measure your own contributions, and establishes you as an ambitious candidate.

Example response:

At our annual holiday party, my co-workers voted me the “best motivator.” I support my team consistently and was grateful that they felt my positivity and support enough to recognize me.

Will you share a time you gave a presentation at work?

From this explanation, the interviewer can understand your comfort level in front of a group and gauge your strength at verbal communication.

Example response:

Two years ago, I had to present a campaign plan to a new client. I prepared and rehearsed my portion, but my partner was ill that day. Rescheduling was impossible, so I stepped in for him. I used his portion as an opportunity to engage the client for a more collective approach. This method developed their interest in the project and taught me that presentations need interaction.

Please share a time you expressed an idea you knew others would resist.

How you answer this question shows your ability to work under pressure and persuade others. The hiring manager can determine your level of professionalism and positivity when dealing with conflict.

Example response:

Our new digital marketing campaign was about to launch, but I felt we needed to include an established influencer. With little money in the budget, my team was reluctant. I offered options to reduce the monetary impact and showed them statistics from other successful influencer campaigns. With the budget slightly affected, our revenue was double what we expected.

Do you proofread and edit your memos and emails before you send them out?

Your response shows your written communication skills, work ethic, and attention to detail. Respond candidly and share a specific experience to illustrate.

Example response:

Last year, I emailed my fellow teachers with information about a parent conference. I, unfortunately, sent out the wrong date, which caused confusion when the parent showed up unexpectedly. He had to wait for us to gather our documentation, and we rushed through the conference. I apologized and have since learned to do a quick scan of all written communications and double-check facts.

Interviews are exciting, but it’s important to prepare answers to some typical communication skills interview questions for a quality first impression. Continue your preparation! Discover real interview questions asked for thousands of job titles.

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