Rate your listening skills from 1-10. What would your coworkers say about your listening skills?
"I am certainly not perfect so that I will rate myself an 8/10 for listening skills. I could be more present at times, especially when a conversation seems to be dragging on an on, or a meeting is running past time. I think my current boss would rate me around the same, if not a bit higher. I do have a penchant for recalling small details which seems to impress him quite often."
"I will rate myself as an 8.75/10. I have solid listening skills, primarily when it comes to learning about my team and their needs. Being involved and available is a fundamental part of making my team feel important and listened to. In a recent performance review, my team has let me know that they appreciate my listening skills."
"Listening, and discovering everything there is to learn about our clients and their audience is the most important part of creating a marketing strategy that works. We must understand and absorb everything that we can to best form and communicate an effective brand story, for example. I am proud of my listening skills and will rate myself as a 9/10."
"I spend my day listening to my customers, and their needs. I have been well trained and would rate my listening skills as an 8/10. My customers often thank me for listening to what they need and making accurate suggestions."
"To make a sale, and a repeat customer, I need to utilize second-to-none listening skills. I have had many clients comment on my ability to listen, and remember what they have to say. My sales manager has also complimented me on my abilities in this area. For that reason, I will rate myself as a 9.5/10!"
"My students often comment on how well I listen to them. When we are in class, and one-on-one, I make sure to eliminate distractions and give them my full attention. I will rate my listening skills as a 9/10. There is always room to grow, and I am sure to embrace any feedback that I receive from my leadership team or a student."
The interviewer would like to know how you rate your listening skills, and how your rating would compare to how others would rate you in return. Avoid giving yourself a 10, as nobody is perfect, and you do not want to come across as someone who is unable to accept feedback. Alternately, avoid giving yourself too little credit. You do not want to paint the picture that you are a terrible listener! Stay in the 7.5-9.5 range and back your rating with a comment you have received from a coworker recently.
"I would say that my listening skills are a 9/10. My supervisor recently mentioned how much he appreciates that I do not check my phone in the middle of a conversation as many people do."
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
My coworkers would say that I am approximately 8 out of 10. I sometimes may miss a detail if a meeting drags on, someone doesn't get around to making their point quickly, or if someone is jumping around the topic.
Kevin's Feedback
Remember, you want to advertise your merits and give them reasons to hire you, without inadvertently presenting any red flags. Even if there are areas where you struggle, and that you are capable of identifying your growth opportunities, always be filtered. Regardless of how well you might be getting along with the person interviewing you, their ultimate goal is hire the most qualified candidate, and this getting-to-know-you chat is how they'll make that determination, as best as they can. So offering that you miss details when a meeting drags on, or someone doesn;t get to their point quickly or struggles with the flow of their narrative communicates that you expect others to adapt to your communication style, rather than the other way around. In this instance, you've provided them with the red flags they are on the lookout for, without much effort. Instead, consider communicating your messgae this way.
"I'd say I'm at about an 8 out of 10, and I feel my coworkers would give me that score as well. Early on I struggled with my focus in situations where meetings weren't as concise as they could've been, or others struggled with their communication skills. But I realized I needed to adapt to their communication style, not the other way around. Identifying this growth opportunity in myself changed my game. Now I am always actively listening, and helping others with their communication skills as well. It takes an open mind, patience, empathy and understanding to be a good listener."
Anonymous Answer
I will rate myself as an 8.75 out of 10. I have good listening skills, primarily when it comes to learning about my team and their needs. Being involved and available is a fundamental part of making my team feel important and listened to. In a recent performance review, my team has let me know that they appreciate my listening skills.
Also, when I started working with the previous organization, my supervisor mentioned how much he appreciates that I do not check my phone in the middle of a conversation, as many people do.
Kevin's Feedback
Sounds like you’ve put together some good talking points. However, to communicate your point a bit more clearly, work on the transitions and flow to your answer, and elaborate on your talking points a bit more. Listing skills are inherently linked to your communication skills, so communicate your listening skills as clearly as you can.
I’d rate myself as an 8.75 out of 10. As for my interpersonal skills, I put my all in to actively learn the individual personalities and communication styles of each member of my team. I have a strong attention to detail which helps me identify their pain points and more aptly address their needs. I make myself openly available, remaining as involved and engaged as I can. To effectively do this, I’ve found it fundamental to ensure my team feels valued, validated, and heard. In a recent performance review, my team expressed deepest appreciation for my communication skills and listening skills. I employ every technique I’ve learned, from validating to mirroring, to making eye contact and being self aware.
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