Best Communication Interview Questions To Ask A Candidate

Communication is an essential skill for success in any workplace. It's crucial for effective collaboration, teamwork, and building strong relationships with clients and customers. Therefore, it's essential to assess a candidate's communication skills during the interview process.

In this article, we'll discuss the best communication interview questions to ask a candidate.

Why should you assess communication skills in an interview?

Individuals with good communication skills work well with colleagues, customers, and vendors, convey information clearly and concisely, and build positive relationships with others.

Poor communication skills can lead to misunderstandings, mistakes, and conflicts, which can negatively impact job performance and customer relations.

By evaluating a candidate's communication skills during an interview, you can get an idea of how well they will be able to communicate with others on the job.

Additionally, strong communication skills are often seen as a sign of professionalism. Candidates who can express themselves clearly and confidently are more likely to be perceived as competent and trustworthy.

If two candidates have similar qualifications and experience, their communication skills can be the deciding factor in who gets the job.

Best communication interview questions

These interview questions are designed to help you evaluate a candidate's communication skills and identify whether they are a good fit for your organization.

1. What techniques do you use to build rapport with new colleagues or clients?

Effective communication involves not just speaking but also listening and understanding the other person's perspective.

The interviewer can use this question to assess the candidate's ability to actively listen and communicate their ideas effectively.

A strong candidate will likely respond with specific examples of techniques they have used in the past, such as actively listening to the other person, asking open-ended questions, and finding common ground.

2. Can you give an example of a time when you had to communicate with someone who was angry or upset?

The answer to this question can also reveal how the candidate deals with conflict and whether they have the ability to de-escalate a situation.

A candidate who can remain calm and focused during a difficult conversation is more likely to be able to resolve conflicts and find common ground with colleagues or clients.

3. What strategies do you use to ensure that your message is clearly understood?

Clear communication involves not just conveying a message but also ensuring that the message is understood by the recipient.

By asking this question, the interviewer can assess the candidate's ability to communicate complex ideas in a simple and understandable way.

A good answer will include specific strategies the candidate has used in the past, such as using visual aids or providing real-life examples to illustrate their point.

4. Describe a time when you had to communicate a difficult message to a colleague or customer.

Communicating in difficult situations requires the ability to remain calm, empathize with the other person's feelings, and deliver the message in a clear and concise manner.

The candidate’s answer to this question can demonstrate their ability to navigate such situations and how they approach communicating a difficult message.

5. How do you adjust your communication style to suit different audiences or situations?

This question assesses the candidate's ability to tailor their communication style to different audiences and situations. It also evaluates their active listening skills, as adjusting one's communication style requires not just speaking but also listening and understanding the other person's perspective.

6. Have you ever encountered a communication breakdown in a team? How did you address it?

The answer to this question can reveal how the candidate deals with conflict and whether they have the ability to de-escalate a situation.

A candidate who can remain calm and focused during a communication breakdown is more likely to be able to resolve conflicts and find common ground with colleagues.

7. What do you think are the most important elements of effective communication?

Asking this question can help interviewers assess how the candidate defines and prioritizes these elements of effective communication.

Candidates should provide examples that demonstrate their understanding of key elements such as the importance of active listening, the ability to provide feedback, clear articulation, and the use of appropriate body language.

8. How do you handle disagreements or conflicts?

Conflict is a natural occurrence in any workplace, and effective conflict resolution is essential for maintaining a productive work environment.

This question allows interviewers to evaluate the candidate's approach to conflict resolution, including their ability to listen actively, empathize, and find mutually acceptable solutions.

9. How do you ensure that you are actively listening during a conversation?

Active listening is an essential element of effective communication and involves not just hearing what someone is saying but also understanding their perspective and responding appropriately.

This question allows interviewers to evaluate the candidate's understanding of the importance of active listening and their ability to apply it in real-life situations.

10. Can you describe a time when you had to give feedback to a colleague or employee?

This question allows interviewers to evaluate the candidate's approach to providing feedback, including their ability to communicate effectively, actively listen, and tailor feedback to the recipient's communication style.

It can also help interviewers assess the candidate’s leadership potential.

11. What role do you believe non-verbal communication plays in effective communication?

By asking this question, interviewers can evaluate a candidate’s understanding of the importance of non-verbal communication and how it affects the overall communication process.

Candidates need to demonstrate how they have used non-verbal communication to enhance their communication, such as using appropriate facial expressions to show empathy or using positive body language to convey confidence.

12. How do you handle communication in a virtual or remote work environment?

It is crucial to know how to handle communication in a virtual or remote work environment because remote work has become increasingly common in today's workplace.

This question allows interviewers to evaluate the candidate's understanding of the unique challenges of remote work communication, such as the need to use technology effectively, the importance of clear and concise communication, and the ability to establish rapport and maintain relationships in a remote work setting.

13. Have you ever had to present information to a large group of people?

This question allows interviewers to evaluate the candidate's experience with public speaking, including their ability to plan and deliver an effective presentation, use appropriate visual aids and media, and engage the audience.

14. How do you ensure that you are communicating effectively in a fast-paced environment?

Communication skills are essential for maintaining productivity and collaboration in fast-paced environments, where delays or miscommunications can cause significant setbacks.

A good answer should include examples of how the candidate has managed communication in similar situations, including their use of technology, communication protocols, and interpersonal skills.

15. What steps do you take to ensure that written communication is clear and concise?

Strong written communication skills are crucial for many positions as it requires the capability to accurately and persuasively convey information to various audiences.

The question assesses a candidate’s approach to written communication, including their ability to organize information, use proper language, and communicate ideas effectively.

A good candidate should be able to provide examples of how they use techniques such as outlining, editing, and peer review to guarantee that their written communication is coherent and concise.

Final thoughts

Asking these questions can help interviewers determine whether a candidate is the right fit for the role and the organization as a whole. The ability to communicate effectively is a critical factor in success, and candidates who possess excellent communication skills are more likely to make a positive impact and contribute to the organization's growth and success.

If you're looking for other methods to assess communication skills, you can add a communication skills test as part of your pre-screening process. This test provides an objective measurement of a candidate’s abilities in different communication contexts. Try our communication skills test by signing up for a free trial.