How to Answer: Active listening is important to our team culture at Coinbase. Tell me about a time your listening skills helped you solve a problem.
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Coinbase job interview.
15. Active listening is important to our team culture at Coinbase. Tell me about a time your listening skills helped you solve a problem.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Your interviewer asks this question to get a better sense of how you will operate in a team and interact with your coworkers in Coinbase's 'winning team' environment. This question is particularly relevant for those who will serve in a client-facing role. In this setting, active listening is key to maintaining successful and long-term client relationships. Your interviewer knows that listening is a valuable yet challenging skill that takes time and effort to improve. Give an example that demonstrates how you avoided miscommunication and worked towards a goal by using your listening skills. This means giving the speaker your full attention and asking clarifying questions to check your understanding.
Written by Rachel Hills on February 11th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"My boss asked me to manage a project that involved various tasks I had never done before, including running new reports that would aid in solving a consistent customer problem we had encountered. After my boss communicated the main issues clients were experiencing, I made sure I understood what she needed of me by asking straightforward questions that got to the crux of the issue, including 'So what you're asking is...?,' 'Do you mean that you need me to do (X)?,' and 'What do you think about (X) approach?' When navigating new territory, I found it helpful to include active clarifying questions in my listening approach. I jumped on the project right away, and my boss was impressed with the solution I designed."
Written by Rachel Hills on February 11th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"I worked with a client awhile back who was extremely difficult to please. She was worried about her company's marketing efforts, and previous colleagues on my team were unsuccessful in satisfying her. I set up a few one-on-one meetings with her where I learned that she did not feel like she was being heard on her team or in these meetings with my colleagues. Thus, I made it my primary goal to engage in active listening with her and carefully address each of her concerns. Ultimately, we had a great working relationship, and her satisfaction increased drastically over the course of a few months."
Written by Rachel Hills on February 11th, 2022