Interview Questions and Answers about Communication

What the interviewer wants to know

When you interview for a job, the hiring manager will ask you about communication skills, including how you handle problems and how you deal with challenging situations, the communication style you expect from management, and other questions related to your communication ability.

How to prepare to answer questions

Interviewing can be challenging even for the best speakers. Responding effectively means balancing listening to what the interviewer is asking with providing a thoughtful answer to the questions.

If you need to improve your interview skills, practice. The more comfortable you are in the role of the candidate, the easier it is to demonstrate how well you can communicate.

Practice the interview with a friend or family member, or even alone in front of a mirror. While it’s not a “real” interview, you’ll be able to think ahead about how to respond and how to communicate with the interviewer.

Interview questions about communication

Preparing in advance by reviewing these questions and examples of the best answers about communication will help you formulate your own unique answers.

• Do you work well with others?
• Tell me about yourself.
• How would you describe yourself?
• How do your colleagues describe your personality?
• What are the main challenges or problems you have faced? How did you deal with them?
• Describe a difficult work situation and how you overcame it?
• What have you learned from your mistakes?
• What was it like working with your previous supervisor?
• What do you expect from a supervisor?
• Have you had difficulty working with a manager?
• How do you handle pressure and stress?
• What is your biggest disappointment in life?
• What are your passions?
• What are things that annoy you?
• What are the things that people frequently criticize you for?
• When was the last time you got angry? What happened?
• Do you prefer to work independently or as part of a team?
• Give some examples of your teamwork in completing a crucial project.
• Why are you the right person for the job?
• Why do you want to work here?
• What can you contribute to this company?

Tips for giving the best answer

• Body language matters. Part of being a good speaker is knowing how to use body language. Use a strong handshake for greeting, sit up straight, and maintain eye contact. Smile and let your expression convey your enthusiasm for the job and the employer.
• Speak carefully. Speak as clearly as possible, and keep your tone positive and vibrant. If you tend to speak quickly when nervous (as many people do), remember to breathe between your sentences. It’s okay to take a moment to gather your thoughts before answering a question.
• Practice active listening. Job interviews are two-way conversations. Show that you have the active listening skills necessary for effective communication by listening carefully to the interviewer as they speak, without interrupting.

What Not to Say

• Keep it positive. Make sure your answers are positive when responding. Your answers will help showcase your communication skills.
• Don’t overdo it. Good communication is often about saying less rather than saying more. Keep your answers concise and focused.
• Don’t forget to pay attention. Listening is one of the most important communication skills. Make sure to listen carefully to each question before responding, so your answer aligns with what you were asked.

Possible Follow-Up Questions

• How do you define success?
• What are your salary expectations?
• Do you have any questions for me?

Takeaways

• Demonstrate your understanding of key communication skills such as active listening, clear expression, confidence, and empathy.
• Be aware of your body language, and use your facial expressions and tone of voice to build a friendly and respectful rapport with the interviewer.
• Build your self-confidence before the interview by practicing answering questions in advance, preferably with help from a friend or family member who volunteers to play the role of the interviewer.

Source: https://www.thebalancemoney.com/communication-interview-questions-and-best-answers-2061251