How would you describe your interpersonal and communication skills?

SENIOR LEVEL
How would you describe your interpersonal and communication skills?
Sample answer to the question:
I would describe my interpersonal and communication skills as strong and effective. I am confident in my ability to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds and build rapport quickly. I am an active listener and take the time to understand others' perspectives before offering my own. I am also skilled in presenting information clearly and concisely, whether it's to a small group or a large audience. In my previous role as a social worker, I regularly communicated with clients, community partners, and colleagues, and received positive feedback on my ability to build trust and effectively convey information.
Here is a more solid answer:
I believe my interpersonal and communication skills are one of my greatest strengths. Throughout my 5+ years of experience as a Homeless Services Advocate, I have developed the ability to establish meaningful connections with individuals from diverse backgrounds. By actively listening and empathizing with their experiences, I am able to effectively build trust and rapport. I have also honed my communication skills to be clear, concise, and tailored to different audiences. In my previous role, I successfully represented the interests of the homeless population in policy-making discussions and collaborated with government agencies, non-profits, and private sector partners to develop and implement support services.
Why is this a more solid answer?
The solid answer provided specific examples of past experiences and accomplishments related to interpersonal and communication skills. However, it could be improved by providing more details about the candidate's leadership and team management abilities, which are also required for the job.
An example of a exceptional answer:
My interpersonal and communication skills are not only strong, but they have also been instrumental in driving positive change for the homeless community. In my role as a Homeless Services Advocate, I have demonstrated exceptional leadership and team management abilities by coordinating and inspiring a team of volunteers to implement support services. Through effective communication and collaboration with government agencies, non-profits, and private sector partners, I have successfully advocated for policy changes that have improved the lives of the homeless population. Additionally, my strong analytical and problem-solving skills have allowed me to gather and analyze data to inform evidence-based policy and practice changes.
Why is this an exceptional answer?
The exceptional answer provided specific examples of exceptional accomplishments related to interpersonal and communication skills, such as driving positive change for the homeless community and advocating for policy changes. It also highlighted the candidate's strong analytical and problem-solving skills, which are important for the job. However, it could still be improved by providing more details about the candidate's excellent organizational and planning skills, as well as familiarity with grant writing and fundraising techniques.
How to prepare for this question:
  • Reflect on past experiences where you successfully built meaningful connections with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
  • Prepare specific examples of how you effectively communicated information to different audiences.
  • Think about times when you demonstrated strong leadership and team management abilities.
  • Highlight any experience you have with grant writing and fundraising techniques.
  • Brush up on your knowledge of the challenges facing the homeless community and current advocacy campaigns.
What are interviewers evaluating with this question?
  • Interpersonal and communication skills

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