Communication interview questions and answers
Use these sample communication skills interview questions to evaluate how candidates present their ideas, interact with clients and collaborate with a team.
10 good communication interview questions
- Do you prefer to communicate via email, phone or in-person? Why?
- What team communication tools have you used? What was your experience with them?
- How would you overcome communication challenges on a remote team?
- If you’re presenting your ideas during a meeting and your audience seems disengaged, what would you do to get their attention?
- How would you reply to a negative online review about our company?
- Have you ever worked with someone you struggled to communicate with? If so, what was the obstacle and how did you handle it?
- What would you do if your manager gave you unclear instructions for a new project?
- If you wanted to inform your team or stakeholders about quarterly results, would you email them a detailed report or present the data live? Why?
- How would you reply to a potential customer who claims that our competitors offer better prices?
- Describe a time you had to share bad news with your team or have a difficult conversation with a coworker.
Here are 10 essential interview questions and sample answers to help identify the best candidates for this role.
1. Do you prefer to communicate via email, phone or in-person? Why?
This question assesses the candidate’s preferred communication method and their adaptability to different communication channels.
Sample answer:
“I prefer in-person communication because it allows for immediate feedback and fosters a sense of connection. However, I am comfortable using email and phone when necessary.”
2. What team communication tools have you used? What was your experience with them?
This question aims to understand the candidate’s familiarity with communication tools commonly used in a team environment.
Sample answer:
“I have used Slack and Microsoft Teams for internal communication. Both tools are excellent for quick updates and file sharing.”
3. How would you overcome communication challenges on a remote team?
This question gauges the candidate’s problem-solving skills in overcoming communication barriers in a remote setting.
Sample answer:
“I would schedule regular video calls to maintain a sense of team cohesion and use project management tools to keep everyone updated.”
4. If you’re presenting your ideas during a meeting and your audience seems disengaged, what would you do to get their attention?
This question tests the candidate’s ability to read the room and adapt their communication style accordingly.
Sample answer:
“I would pause and ask for feedback or questions, making sure to engage the audience directly.”
5. How would you reply to a negative online review about our company?
This question evaluates the candidate’s crisis communication skills and their ability to maintain a company’s reputation.
Sample answer:
“I would acknowledge the issue, apologize, and offer a solution, all while maintaining a professional tone.”
6. Have you ever worked with someone you struggled to communicate with? If so, what was the obstacle and how did you handle it?
This question probes the candidate’s interpersonal skills and their ability to navigate communication challenges.
Sample answer:
“Yes, I had a colleague who was not responsive to emails. I addressed it by setting up a face-to-face meeting to discuss our communication styles.”
7. What would you do if your manager gave you unclear instructions for a new project?
This question assesses the candidate’s proactive communication skills.
Sample answer:
“I would seek clarification by asking specific questions to ensure I understand the project’s objectives and deliverables.”
8. If you wanted to inform your team or stakeholders about quarterly results, would you email them a detailed report or present the data live? Why?
This question gauges the candidate’s ability to tailor their communication style to different audiences.
Sample answer:
“I would present the data live to allow for real-time questions and discussions, but also follow up with an email summarizing the key points.”
9. How would you reply to a potential customer who claims that our competitors offer better prices?
This question tests the candidate’s negotiation and persuasive communication skills.
Sample answer:
“I would acknowledge their concern and then highlight our product’s unique features and benefits that justify the price.”
10. Describe a time you had to share bad news with your team or have a difficult conversation with a coworker.
This question evaluates the candidate’s sensitivity and tact in handling difficult conversations.
Sample answer:
“I had to inform my team about budget cuts. I was honest and transparent, providing as much information as possible and offering support.”
What does a good candidate with strong communication skills look like?
A strong candidate for a role requiring communication skills is not just articulate but also a good listener. They should be able to adapt their communication style to suit different audiences and platforms. Emotional intelligence is a key attribute, allowing them to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics effectively.
Why test candidates’ communication skills in interviews
Clear communication is key to a healthy and productive workplace. Its benefits are manifold. Consider how:
- One concise email helps avoid back-and-forth messages
- A well-written policy ensures all employees understand company values and procedures
- Informative and engaging presentations help team members understand problems and solutions
Employees, regardless their position or seniority level, interact with their coworkers, managers, clients or external partners on a daily basis. This is why “good communication skills” is a common requirement within job ads.
With good communication skills:
- Senior-level employees make tough decisions, handling difficult discussions with grace
- Salespeople strike a friendly and empathetic tone when contacting unhappy clients (via phone or in-person)
- Social Media Managers exude their company brand when writing for their followers online
Interviews allow you to evaluate how candidates communicate. You can also use interviews to get an idea of how candidates collaborate on teams and whether they clearly convey and listen to messages.
Tips to assess candidates’ communication skills
- A candidate’s resume can speak volumes about their written communication skills, particularly when the role requires writing or expressing oneself in a foreign language. Pay attention to candidates’ phrasing. Simple, clear sentences and lack of grammar and spelling errors indicate good communication and proofreading skills.
- People can’t fake their communication skills. During interviews, watch closely how candidates express themselves, whether they can maintain a pleasant discussion and if they’re good listeners.
- Avoid vague questions, like “How good are your communication skills” or “Do you like to communicate with people?” Instead, ask candidates to give you specific examples that highlight their communication abilities in a professional setting. For example, prompt them to name a time they successfully handled a conflict at work or contributed to a team project.
- If the role requires interaction with clients, consider adding a role-playing activity to your interview process. You’ll be able to simulate job duties and test candidates’ abilities (e.g. how to present a product or persuade a potential customer.)
- To evaluate written communication skills, use assignments that are similar to the position’s responsibilities. For example, ask candidates to craft emails to address two or three hypothetical scenarios. Or, ask them to prepare specific pieces of text (e.g. a short article.)
Red flags
- Rude or arrogant behavior. Impolite comments, constant interruptions and a bossy attitude are all red flags. People with these bad habits may not collaborate effectively with their team members.
- Poor presentation skills. If you notice that candidates struggle to talk about topics they’re likely to have prepared (e.g. describe their past positions), it’s possible they’ll also find it hard to deliver presentations or discuss more complex issues.
- Uncomfortable body language. Being stressed is normal during interviews. But, candidates who don’t maintain eye contact or are on edge throughout the interview will struggle to interact with clients, managers and coworkers.
- Too short or too long answers. “Yes/No” replies don’t leave much room for discussion. Likewise, never-ending responses could confuse or fatigue the interlocutor. Candidates with good communication skills will strike a balance between respecting your time and getting their points across.
- Lack of persuasion abilities. Good communicators don’t only provide facts, they’re also able to influence others (e.g. with engaging language, visual aids or coherent arguments.) Instead of someone who only states the obvious, look for creative, persuasive people, particularly for roles that require selling.