Describe your interpersonal skills and how you build relationships with others.

SENIOR LEVEL
Describe your interpersonal skills and how you build relationships with others.
Sample answer to the question:
I have strong interpersonal skills and enjoy building relationships with others. I believe that effective communication is crucial in establishing and maintaining relationships. I am a good listener and strive to understand the perspectives of others. In my previous role, I regularly collaborated with cross-functional teams to gather information and insights. I would actively participate in team meetings, contribute ideas and suggestions, and build rapport with my colleagues. Outside of work, I enjoy attending industry conferences and networking events to meet new people and expand my professional network.
Here is a more solid answer:
I have developed exceptional interpersonal skills throughout my career and have a proven track record of building strong relationships with colleagues, clients, and industry experts. I believe that effective communication is the foundation of successful relationship building, and I prioritize active listening and empathy. In my previous role as a Market Analyst in the healthcare industry, I regularly collaborated with cross-functional teams to gather data and execute research initiatives. I actively participated in team meetings, contributed ideas and suggestions, and built strong rapport with my colleagues. Additionally, I established and maintained relationships with key industry experts and stakeholders to support research activities. For example, I attended industry conferences and networking events, where I engaged in meaningful conversations, exchanged knowledge, and built connections. These relationships proved valuable in obtaining industry insights and expanding my professional network.
Why is this a more solid answer?
The solid answer provided a more comprehensive description of the candidate's interpersonal skills and included specific examples of how they built relationships in their previous role. It also highlighted the relevance of these skills to the job description and mentioned the value of the candidate's connections in obtaining industry insights. However, it could benefit from further elaboration on the candidate's strategies for effective communication and relationship building.
An example of a exceptional answer:
Interpersonal skills are a cornerstone of my professional approach, and I have honed my abilities to build strong and lasting relationships throughout my career. I believe that effective communication, active listening, and empathy are essential components of relationship building. In my previous role as a Senior Market Analyst in the healthcare industry, I collaborated with cross-functional teams to gather data and drive research initiatives. I actively engaged in team meetings, fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment where everyone's opinions were valued. By actively listening and empathizing with my colleagues, I established strong professional relationships based on trust and mutual respect. To enhance my industry knowledge and network, I proactively sought out opportunities to attend conferences and seminars, where I engaged in meaningful conversations and diligently followed up with industry experts. These connections not only provided valuable insights but also opened doors to new partnerships and collaborations. Additionally, I leveraged my communication skills to deliver persuasive presentations to internal and external stakeholders, effectively conveying complex market insights and influencing strategic decisions. By consistently demonstrating my interpersonal skills, I built a reputation as a trusted collaborator and reliable partner within the healthcare industry.
Why is this an exceptional answer?
The exceptional answer provided a comprehensive description of the candidate's interpersonal skills and included specific examples of how they built relationships in their previous role. It also showcased the candidate's strategies for effective communication and relationship building, such as active listening and empathy. The answer went above and beyond by highlighting the candidate's reputation as a trusted collaborator and reliable partner within the healthcare industry. However, it could be further improved by providing specific outcomes or achievements resulting from the candidate's strong relationships and communication skills.
How to prepare for this question:
  • Reflect on your previous experiences working with others and building relationships. Identify specific examples that demonstrate your interpersonal skills in action.
  • Consider the role of effective communication in relationship building. Think about how you actively listen, empathize, and convey information to others.
  • Research the healthcare industry and its key stakeholders. Identify opportunities to network and build relationships with industry experts.
  • Prepare examples of persuasive presentations or communication experiences where you effectively conveyed complex information to stakeholders.
  • Practice active listening and empathy in your everyday interactions to strengthen your interpersonal skills.
What are interviewers evaluating with this question?
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Relationship Building

Want content like this in your inbox?
Sign Up for our Newsletter

By clicking "Sign up" you consent and agree to Jobya's Terms & Privacy policies

Related Interview Questions