Interview Strategy

I coach managers to dig deep into people’s communication styles before they hire someone, and I’m not just talking about if someone prefers email over the phone calls.

How?

Don’t just ask about their style, talk about their communication preferences…and yours.

• How do you prefer to receive feedback?

• What pushes you to shut down or lash out?

• What do you do when you disagree with a decision?

• What do you do when someone rubs you the wrong way?

• What might frustrate me with your communication style? (“Nothing” is a red flag)

• Tell me about a time you were involved in a work conflict, and how you handled it.

• How do you build rapport in a virtual or hybrid work environment?

• Talk about a time when you made a point that you knew your colleagues would be resistant to.

• Tell me about a time you had to relay bad news to a client or colleague.

Ask follow-up questions to dive deep, before you work with them.