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Interview Questions: Communication

• How do you tailor oral communications to the intended audience?
• Explain how you would consider the audience in how the communication is presented.
• Explaining complex concepts clearly can be a challenge. How do you use terms/style appropriate for the audience?
• It is important to be flexible in our communication methods. Describe how you use different methods of communication depending on the audience?
• Describe how you choose the communication medium (ie. email, voice mail, memo, project document) that reflects the needs of the content. (ie. urgency, confidentiality, content scope).
• Being aware of the audience you are communicating with is important. How do you adapt language and terminology to meet the needs of the audience?
• Describe how you would tailor writing to the intended audience.

• Describe how you are approachable, dependable, and ready to assist when needed.
• Do you try to be visible and approachable?
• Explain how you maintain an open-door policy to be available for answers and guidance when needed.
• Maintaining communication with team members is important. How do you keep open and regular communication with team members?
• What steps do you take to mark your status as "available" to signal you are open for communication?
• Would others describe you as visible and approachable; is there when needed?
• How do you keep an open-door policy to provide support and guidance?
• Do you regularly sets your on-line status to "available" to indicate you are available for communication?
• Describe how you keep open and regular communication with others.

• It is important to avoid interrupting the customer when they are speaking. Give and example of when you listened attentively without interrupting customers.
• This is a customer service position. Do you listen actively & speak clearly and directly?
• Describe how you would listen to others' points of view with an open mind.
• Showing others that you value their conversation is important. Give examples of when you listened attentively and responded thoughtfully.
• Do you feel you are able to understand the core issues of conversations?
• Give an example of when you took the time to listen to both sides in employer/employee disputes.
• Do you listen well?
• Do you listen carefully? If so, give an example.
• Give examples of when you asked follow-up questions as needed.

• Maintaining strong interpersonal skills is critical for this position. Give a brief example of how you communicated thoughts or feelings to others.
• Are you open to receiving feedback from others?
• Have you ever had to express your concerns to colleagues?
• Communicating ideas is important. Describe how you articulated ideas clearly to others?
• Give an example of when you welcomed input and suggestions from others.
• Building a raport with clients is important. Do you make eye contact with the person you are speaking with?
• Would you colleagues say that you are willing to accept feedback from others?
• Give an example of when you communicated issues and concerns to colleagues.

• Are you an effective listener who is responsive to information needs?
• Letting the other person know that you understand them is important. When have you acknowledged an understanding of what another person was saying?
• Describe a recent situation when you listened effectively and responded to that new information.
• Describe a recent situation in which you used active listening techniques (e.g., paraphrasing, reflecting, open-ended questions) to ensure successful communication.
• Have you had to address issues of key importance to stakeholders?
• Do you receive and answer questions - on the spot. Are you willing to address the tough questions?
• Sometimes you may be asked to respond to something outside of your area of knowledge or expertise. Describe how you would respond to those questions with accurate and complete answers.
• How do you respond to critical concerns of stakeholders?
• This position requires you to think fast. Do you feel you are ready to take on challenging questions and provide instant answers?
• Sometimes there are barriers to effective communication (e.g., technical, procedural) Describe when you overcame barriers that prevent effective communication? What did you do? How did you work around the issue?

• Describe when you have had to clarify complex or technical information.
• Describe when you had to present information in a clear and logical format.
• As a leader it is important to be confident and speak clearly. Describe when you have had to articulate ideas clearly and assertively.
• Do you writes in a clear and concise manner, using appropriate grammar, style, and language for the reader?
• Describe something that you had to communicate clearly and get to the point without unnecessary details.
• Do you deliver information in a clear, concise, and logical manner?
• Are your reports clear and persuasive? Elaborate.
• Describe when you have had to clarify words or statements to gain better understanding of the message.
• Would others say that you regularly speak clearly, fluently, and in a compelling manner to both individuals and groups?
• Professionalism is important. Describe how you communicate clearly and concisely in writing (e.g., professional correspondence is well-organized, to the point, and uses correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar).
• How do you clarifies problems logically, simplifying complex matters into digestible parts?
• Do you consistently speak clearly?
• How do you ensure that the communication of project information is accurate and clear?
• Give an example that show that you can demonstrate clear verbal and written communication skills.

• Explain how you provide straightforward and brief directions.
• Explain how you would write in a concise and organized manner.
• Describe how you would explain issues logically, breaking down complex issues into manageable pieces of information.
• Give examples of when you produced written content that was both succinct and orderly.
• Give an example of when you presented issues, ideas, and strategy concisely and clearly.
• How do you express ideas clearly and concisely to individuals and groups, in both formal and informal settings?
• Staying on point is important when there are so many moving parts. Describe a recent situation in which you had to focus communications on the relevant key issues?
• Describe when you made complex ideas simple for people to more readily understand?
• How do you deliver clear and concise instructions?
• How do you transform complicated ideas into simple ones?
• How do you deconstruct complex issues into more understandable segments?
• Are you able to communicate ideas effectively and succinctly to both individuals and groups, in any setting? Give examples.
• Give examples of when you conveyed ideas confidently and succinctly.

• Would your colleagues say that you communicate effectively with them?
• What steps do you take to prevent interruptions when important issues are being discussed? (turn phone off? change status to busy?)
• Are you an effective communicator? Give examples.
• How do you communicate effectively with all levels of the organization?
• Do you communicate effectively with colleagues and customers?
• As a team leader, keeping the team informed is important. How effectively and regularly do you communicate to the team the issues that are critical to them?
• Are you able to effectively prepare and deliver presentations? Are they influential?

• Do you keep your supervisor informed about achievements and milestones?
• Do you engage in clear communication with both senior and junior management?
• How do you inform your supervisor about progress made on goals and objectives?
• Give examples of how you communicate effectively with management. Both upward and downward.
• It is important to interact with all tiers of the organization. Give examples of when you did this.
• Can you effectively engage with everyone from the CEO to external partners?
• Do you have the confidence to communicate effectively to all levels (from CEO down) of the organization, external customers, suppliers, as well as the senior counsel of other companies?
• How do you currently report progress on goals to the supervisor?
• When have you recently had to communicate with department leadership?
• Describe how you would facilitate seamless communication across all management levels.
• Do you confidently communicate across all organizational levels, including external stakeholders?
• Do you have the confidence to communicate effectively to all levels (from CEO down) of the organization?

• Are you willing to give feedback to others even if that feedback is critical of their approach? Explain.
• Are you ready to offer feedback, even if it involves tough critiques?
• When have you had to mentor others on enhancing their written communication?
• Do you conduct impactful training sessions? Explain.
• How would you deliver influential training?
• Do you coach others on their written communication skills?
• When have you shown employees how their work contributed to the success of the organization?

• Give an example of when you provided follow-up information to avoid misunderstandings.
• Explain how you would summarize or paraphrase the current question to confirm understanding?
• Do you regularly recap action steps from meetings to ensure clarity and execution?
• Have you reviewed any "action steps" resulting from meetings or conversations before concluding the meeting to ensure clarity and that plans would be executed?
• In question and answer sessions, do you summarize the question to verify comprehension?
• Do you check for understanding throughout conversations or group discussions?
• Give examples of when you checked for understanding throughout conversations or group presentations/discussions.
• How do you ensure comprehension during conversations or group presentations?

• Give an example of when you had to communicate corporate initiatives in a relevant and actionable manner to employees within your organization.
• Describe how you communicate goals of project, resources required, resources available, etc. to the team?
• How do you communicate progress on business goals to team and upper management.
• How would you communicate the vision of the organization to all employees?
• How do you let people know what is expected of them?

• Have you had to discuss ideas and concepts with peers?
• Describe when you had to update others on changes or progress in plans and goals.
• Give an example of when you recently communicated concepts and ideas to others.
• How do you inform others about changes or developments in plans and goals?
• Explain how you would communicate crucial information to others.
• How do you shares concepts and ideas with others?
• How would you explain reasons behind decisions and actions?
• Give an example of when you notified others about developments in plans and goals.
• Describe how you would provide the reasoning behind choices and actions? Under what circumstances?
• Describe a recent situation in which you had to share important information with others.

• Do you always maintain self-control in conversations?
• Do you always use polite language and shows respect for others' opinions and time?
• How do you maintain good contact with others when speaking?
• Describe when you recently presented a message with professionalism.
• It is important to be professional at all times. Have you ever been accused of ridiculing, mocking or undermining peers or subordinates?
• Do you always maintain a formal and respectful tone, avoiding use of slang or overly casual language?

• Give an example of when you communicated changes to team members in a timely manner.
• How do you respond in a timely manner, respecting deadlines and others' schedules?
• Do you communicate company/market changes to appropriate team members in a timely manner?

• Do you use software, graphics, or other aids to clarify complex or technical reports?
• Give an example of when you prepared effective external communications, using basic familiarity of legal requirements and limitations?
• How would you deliver difficult messages to co-workers in an appropriate manner?
• How do you deal with difficult situations calmly and confidently?
• How do you deliver difficult/sensitive messages to co-workers in an appropriate manner?
• Explain how you supported the communication systems recently implemented.

• Do you deliver messages with personal energy, enthusiasm, and conviction?
• How do you convey priorities with right sense of urgency and importance?
• Describe a situation in which you recently delivered messages with energy, enthusiasm, and conviction.

• Are you able to demonstrate persuasiveness in pursuit of objectives?
• How do you demonstrates persuasiveness in pursuit of objectives?
• Would others describe you as effective and motivating communicator?
• Describe how you inspires others to take action based on his/her communications.
• Describe how you are persuasive and articulate when communicating.
• How do you use ideas and perspectives to persuade others?

• Do you deliver effective public presentations?
• How do you effectively deliver presentations to teams, large groups, and diverse audiences?
• How do you deliver well-prepared, informed, poised and succinct presentations?
• Can you deliver effectively presentations?
• Are you able to deliver presentations?
• Do you deliver effective presentations?
• Explain how you would give clear and convincing presentations.
• How do you prepare and deliver effective presentations that are influential?
• Would others say that you come across as comfortable and effective as a public speaker?
• How do you prepare and deliver presentations?
• Reports are used extensively in our department. Do you present clear and persuasive information in reports? Explain.
• Do you deliver influential presentations?

• Explain how you would write complete and developmentally-oriented performance appraisals with clear goals, using SMART criteria?
• Give an example of how you would provide feedback in a helpful and respectful way, focusing on improvement.
• Do you conduct regular performance feedback discussions with individuals and teams?
• How would you implement performance appraisals focused on employee development using SMART criteria?