QUESTION 20 OF 31

Tell me about a time when your listening skills helped you solve a problem.

Your interviewer is asking this question to get a better sense of how you will operate in a team and interact with your coworkers. This question is particularly relevant for those that 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 afterward to check your understanding.

"My boss asked me to manage a project that involved various tasks that 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."

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Fannie Mae Mock Interview

Tell me about a time when your listening skills helped you solve a problem.

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31 Fannie Mae Interview Questions & Answers