Personnel Selection: Interview Questions: Communication

Audience Awareness

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.
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).
Explaining complex concepts clearly can be a challenge. How do you use terms/style appropriate for the audience?
How do you tailor oral communications to the intended audience?
Explain how you would consider the audience in how the communication is presented.

Available

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

Attentive

Do you feel you are able to understand the core issues of conversations?
Showing others that you value their conversation is important. Give examples of when you listened attentively and responded thoughtfully.
It is important to avoid interrupting the customer when they are speaking. Give and example of when you listened attentively without interrupting customers.
Give an example of when you took the time to listen to both sides in employer/employee disputes.
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.
Give examples of when you asked follow-up questions as needed.
Do you listen well?
Do you listen carefully? If so, give an example.

Open

Building a raport with clients is important. Do you make eye contact with the person you are speaking with?
Communicating ideas is important. Describe how you articulated ideas clearly to others?
Give an example of when you communicated issues and concerns to colleagues.
Give an example of when you welcomed input and suggestions from others.
Would you colleagues say that you are willing to accept feedback from others?
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?

Responsive

This position requires you to think fast. Do you feel you are ready to take on challenging questions and provide instant answers?
Have you had to address issues of key importance to stakeholders?
Are you an effective listener who is responsive to information needs?
Describe a recent situation in which you used active listening techniques (e.g., paraphrasing, reflecting, open-ended questions) to ensure successful communication.
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?
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?
Letting the other person know that you understand them is important. When have you acknowledged an understanding of what another person was saying?
Do you receive and answer questions - on the spot. Are you willing to address the tough questions?
Describe a recent situation when you listened effectively and responded to that new information.

Clarity

How do you clarifies problems logically, simplifying complex matters into digestible parts?
Describe when you have had to clarify complex or technical information.
Describe when you had to present information in a clear and logical format.
Do you consistently speak clearly?
Do you writes in a clear and concise manner, using appropriate grammar, style, and language for the reader?
Give an example that show that you can demonstrate clear verbal and written communication skills.
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 ensure that the communication of project information is accurate and clear?
Would others say that you regularly speak clearly, fluently, and in a compelling manner to both individuals and groups?
Describe when you have had to clarify words or statements to gain better understanding of the message.
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 deliver information in a clear, concise, and logical manner?
Describe something that you had to communicate clearly and get to the point without unnecessary details.
Are your reports clear and persuasive? Elaborate.

Succinct

How do you transform complicated ideas into simple ones?
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?
How do you deliver clear and concise instructions?
Give examples of when you conveyed ideas confidently and succinctly.
Give an example of when you presented issues, ideas, and strategy concisely and clearly.
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.
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 produced written content that was both succinct and orderly.
How do you express ideas clearly and concisely to individuals and groups, in both formal and informal settings?
Describe when you made complex ideas simple for people to more readily understand?

Effective

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

Communicates with Supervisors

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

Coaches Others

Do you conduct impactful training sessions? Explain.
Are you ready to offer feedback, even if it involves tough critiques?
Are you willing to give feedback to others even if that feedback is critical of their approach? 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?
When have you had to mentor others on enhancing their written communication?

Confirms Communication

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

Communicates Goals/Vision

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

Sharing

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

Professionalism

How do you maintain good contact with others when speaking?
Describe when you recently presented a message with professionalism.
Do you always maintain a formal and respectful tone, avoiding use of slang or overly casual language?
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 use polite language and shows respect for others' opinions and time?
Do you always maintain self-control in conversations?

Timely

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?
Give an example of when you communicated changes to team members in a timely manner.

Expertise/Competence

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

Energetic

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

Persuasive

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

Presentations

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

Performance Feedback

Do you conduct regular performance feedback discussions with individuals and teams?
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.
How would you implement performance appraisals focused on employee development using SMART criteria?