Can you describe your communication skills?
Sample answer to the question:
My communication skills are strong. I am able to effectively convey information and ideas to others in a clear and concise manner. I have experience communicating with both internal and external stakeholders, including senior management, clients, and regulatory authorities. I am skilled at listening actively and ensuring that I understand the needs and concerns of others before responding. I believe that effective communication is essential in a compliance role as it enables me to educate and influence staff on compliance protocols and regulations.
Here is a more solid answer:
I consider my communication skills to be one of my greatest strengths. In my previous role as a Compliance Officer, I was responsible for regularly communicating with various stakeholders, including senior management, clients, and regulatory authorities. I demonstrated strong verbal communication skills by effectively conveying complex compliance requirements to non-technical audiences. For example, I prepared and delivered compliance training sessions to employees, using plain language and real-life examples to ensure understanding. In written communication, I consistently produced clear and concise reports and memos, summarizing compliance risks and recommendations. I actively listen to others, seeking to understand their concerns and perspectives before responding. This skill allows me to address employee questions and concerns on legal compliance and build trust within the organization. Lastly, I believe effective communication goes beyond conveying information; it involves influencing others. I have successfully influenced staff to adhere to compliance protocols and regulations through my persuasive communication style and ability to articulate the business implications of non-compliance.
Why is this a more solid answer?
This is a solid answer because it provides specific examples and details that demonstrate the candidate's communication skills in action. It addresses all the evaluation areas mentioned in the job description, highlighting the candidate's ability to communicate verbally, in writing, actively listen, influence others, and educate and train employees on compliance matters. However, the answer could be improved by providing more quantifiable results or achievements related to their communication skills.
An example of a exceptional answer:
My communication skills have consistently been recognized as exceptional throughout my career. In my previous role as a Compliance Manager at XYZ Company, I received praise from senior management for my ability to effectively communicate complex compliance requirements and recommendations to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. For instance, I led multiple cross-functional meetings where I collaborated with legal, finance, and operations teams to ensure compliance with regulatory changes. Through my clear and concise presentation style, I effectively educated and influenced these teams on the impact of non-compliance and the importance of adhering to compliance protocols. As a result of my communication skills, we successfully implemented new compliance processes that reduced compliance violations by 50% within the first year. Additionally, I actively participated in industry conferences and seminars, where I delivered presentations on compliance best practices and engaged in panel discussions. These experiences further enhanced my ability to communicate with diverse audiences and strengthened my network within the compliance community. Overall, my exceptional communication skills enable me to effectively contribute to the development and implementation of a robust legal compliance program.
Why is this an exceptional answer?
This is an exceptional answer because it provides specific examples, quantifiable results, and achievements that clearly demonstrate the candidate's exceptional communication skills. It showcases their ability to effectively communicate with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, educate and influence teams, and make significant contributions to compliance efforts. The answer also highlights the candidate's commitment to continuous improvement and professional development through their participation in industry conferences and seminars. The answer could be further improved by including a specific example of written communication and addressing how the candidate collaborates with external auditors and HR, as mentioned in the job description.
How to prepare for this question:
- Reflect on your past experiences where effective communication played a crucial role in achieving compliance goals or resolving compliance issues. Be prepared to share specific examples and outcomes.
- Consider how you can demonstrate your ability to communicate complex compliance requirements in a clear and concise manner to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Highlight your experience in delivering training or presentations related to compliance topics.
- Think about how you actively listen to others and address their concerns or questions regarding legal compliance.
- Consider how you have influenced others to adhere to compliance protocols and regulations, and be prepared to share examples that highlight the business impact of your influence.
What are interviewers evaluating with this question?