The planning process involves input from numerous groups, which requires great communication skills. When have you exemplified such skills in past work?
Communication skills are essential to nearly every type of job. The hiring manager is looking to see if you can communicate properly in several different situations and styles of management. They want to see that you can be effective in the role, as well as positively impact the workplace and culture.
"I am continually working with multiple groups that do not necessarily see eye-to-eye. We almost always have the same end-goal in mind, but not necessarily the same ideas on how to get there. Strong communication is key since it is so easy to misunderstand. What I do is take my time to talk to the other party and repeat back what my understanding of it is. This way, we know for sure if we are on the same page."
Demonstrate your understanding of key communications skills during the interview, such as active listening, clear articulation, confidence, and empathy. Good communication is sometimes saying less rather than more, so keep your answers concise and focused. Also, multiple groups mean multiple personalities, so it's best to give an example of a time when you were working with a team that didn't always see eye-to-eye and how you handled the situation.
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
Working at the IRS I was constantly met with differing opinions on how to go about a particular job. Many times just listening to the opinions of others and then providing your own input helped in resolving an issue. Nothing gets accomplished through bickering.
Stephanie's Feedback
While you clearly identify a previous professional experience where you navigated communication challenges with colleagues, this response should better identify the specific communication skills that you employed. What was the impact?
