With millions of job postings on LinkedIn and thousands of applicants for each one, some stand out with their multitasking, and some remain unbeatable in technical compatibility.
However, one thing that matters is how well you represent yourself, i.e., your interpersonal skills.
Interpersonal skills are crucial for the success of job interviews. They highlight your capacity to collaborate with others, adjust to various circumstances, and communicate clearly, qualities that every employer appreciates.
In fact:
- 93% of employers view soft skills such as communication and teamwork as vital, in addition to technical skills.
- 89% of hiring failures are attributed to insufficient interpersonal skills rather than a lack of technical expertise.
- 75% of long-term job success relies more on strong interpersonal skills than on hard skills.
This blog will help you understand how interpersonal skills influence your interview performance and outline specific skills and examples to master for your next job interview.
Table of Content
Importance of Interpersonal Skills
As an employer assessing candidates for a team position, you would likely encounter two candidates with identical qualifications. One expresses his ideas clearly, shows active listening, and has genuine enthusiasm, while the other seems less keen and cannot express himself properly.
Interpersonal skills are important in interviews as they demonstrate your capability to:
- Establish rapport with colleagues.
- Navigate workplace challenges effectively.
- Convey your ideas clearly and adjust to various communication styles.
How Interpersonal Skills Change Answers?
Here’s an example of how interpersonal communication can make or break an interview response:
Question:
Can you describe a time when you had to handle a challenging project?
Without Interpersonal Skills:
“I had to meet a tight deadline for a project. I took on most of the work myself and managed to submit it on time. It was stressful, but I got it done.”
With Strong Interpersonal Skills:
“I led a team project with a tight deadline. To manage effectively, I organised a brainstorming session to delegate tasks based on each team member’s strengths. I communicated regularly to track progress and provided support when anyone faced challenges. By fostering collaboration, we delivered the project ahead of schedule.”
Analysis:
The second answer emphasizes teamwork, leadership, and active listening. It illustrates how you collaborate with others and address challenges, qualities that employers highly value. The first answer lacks these elements and portrays the candidate as isolated and reactive.
Top 8 Interpersonal Skills That Showcase Your Personality
1. Communication
Effective communication is the key to success in most work-related interactions. The ability to express your thoughts promotes clarity between all parties involved and reduces the probability of a potential misunderstanding.
How to Demonstrate:
Express your ideas clearly and boldly. Use positive body language, such as maintaining eye contact, smiling when appropriate, and adjusting your tone to create a suitable atmosphere for the situation.
2. Listening Actively
The employer wants someone who can listen attentively, process information, and respond thoughtfully to feedback and instructions. This demonstrates respect for others’ input.
How to Demonstrate:
Show interest by nodding, summarizing key points, and asking relevant follow-up questions. Do not interrupt and focus on the speaker.
3. Teamwork
Collaboration is key in today’s work settings. Good teamwork skills demonstrate the ability to effectively collaborate with diverse groups and achieve agreed-on outcomes.
How to Demonstrate:
Share experiences where you collaborated well with others, appreciated their input and took shared responsibility for the results.
4. Empathy
Empathy creates trust, builds team cohesion, and makes a workplace friendly. Employers like employees who can empathize with others’ emotions and perspectives.
How to Demonstrate:
Be approachable by acknowledging and considering the emotions, motivations, and challenges that others face.
5. Adaptability
Change is inevitable in any job. Employers favor candidates who can quickly adapt to new tasks, processes, and challenges while staying focused.
How to Demonstrate:
Share experiences of when you effectively handled change.
6. Problem Solving
For a company to find working with you wonderful, it must appreciate how you use logic to tackle problems and develop practical solutions.
How to Demonstrate:
Provide examples of how you kept your cool during stressful times and effectively devised a logical solution.
7. Conflict Resolution
Conflicts are bound to arise in the workplace. The capacity for controlling disagreements professionally promotes a harmonious working environment.
How to Demonstrate
Give an example of a time when you could help solve the conflict by becoming neutral and assisting people in opening their mouths.
8. Positive Attitude
A positive attitude contributes to resilience and lifts the team’s spirits. Employers seek candidates with this attitude.
How to Demonstrate:
Give examples of how your cheerful attitude helped you pass through challenges or motivate your team.
Top 5 Interpersonal Skills Every Employer Seeks
Employers value interpersonal skills that will help an organization succeed. Here are the top five:
1. Communication
Communication is about making sure the task is well understood, that feedback is constructive and that collaboration flows.
In Practice: Describe instances where you successfully communicated complex ideas to varied audiences or effectively resolved misunderstandings.
2. Teamwork
Organizations thrive through collaboration. Teamwork demonstrates your ability to build trust and achieve shared goals.
In Practice: Share examples of your contributions to a team’s success, highlighting your specific roles and how you supported your colleagues.
3. Problem Solving
Employers seek individuals who can proactively tackle challenges and provide innovative solutions.
In Practice: Illustrate your capability to identify issues early, evaluate options, and implement solutions that positively impact the organization.
4. Adaptability
In fast-paced environments, flexibility is crucial. Employers appreciate employees who can adapt and seize new opportunities.
In Practice: Give examples of how you adjusted to unsuspected changes or learned new skills for relevance.
5. Emotional Intelligence
Being in control of your feelings and consequently relatable to others creates better work environments and further develops leadership skills.
In Practice: Discuss such occasions where you were able to appreciate your emotional intelligence and handle them or provide any support to a colleague who was going through a bad day.
Top 2 Interpersonal Skills to Help You Grow Your Network
Building a professional network requires interpersonal skills that foster genuine connections. Here are the top two skills that make a significant difference:
1. Empathy
Strong relationships are built on understanding and valuing others’ perspectives. Empathy shows that you care about others’ opinions and challenges.
How to Use It:
Listen attentively during conversations, remember personal details, and show support when someone faces challenges.
2. Approachability
Networking is easier when you’re open and welcoming. People gravitate toward those who are easy to talk to and exude confidence.
How to Use It:
Smile, make eye contact, and show interest in others’ stories. This will encourage meaningful connections and help you leave a positive impression.
Top 3 Most Common Mistakes Related to Interpersonal Skills in Interviews
- Not Listening Actively: Interrupting or failing to respond to the interviewer’s question fully.
- Overusing Buzzwords: Using generic phrases like “I’m a team player” without backing them up with concrete examples.
- Poor Body Language: Avoiding eye contact, crossing your arms, or appearing distracted can convey disinterest or lack of confidence.
5 Sample Interview Questions and Answers to Showcase Interpersonal Skills
Q1: Can you describe a situation where you had to work with a difficult colleague?
Answer: “In my previous role, I worked with a colleague who had a different approach to problem-solving. Instead of escalating the issue, I invited them for a one-on-one discussion to understand their perspective. By finding common ground, we collaborated effectively and completed the project successfully.”
Q2: How do you handle feedback or criticism?
Answer: “I view feedback as an opportunity to grow. For example, when a manager once suggested I improve my presentation skills, I enrolled in a public speaking workshop. This not only helped me deliver better presentations but also increased my confidence.”
Q3: Tell me about a time when you motivated your team.
Answer: “During a challenging project, morale was low due to tight deadlines. I organised a brainstorming session, acknowledged everyone’s contributions, and encouraged them by emphasising our shared goals. This boosted motivation, and we completed the project on time.”
Q4: How do you ensure clear communication in a team setting?
Answer: “I prioritize regular check-ins and ensure everyone is on the same page. During a team project, I use tools like Trello for task management and Slack for real-time communication to streamline collaboration.”
Q5: Can you provide an example of resolving a conflict at work?
Answer: “Two team members disagreed with task priorities. I scheduled a meeting to mediate, where I encouraged both parties to express their views. By reframing the issue as a shared goal, we reached a consensus and adjusted the timeline to accommodate both perspectives.”
Key Takeaways
1/ Interpersonal skills will determine the acing of job interviews and long-term success in the position.
2/ The employer values strong interpersonal communication skills, active listening, teamwork, and adaptability highly
3/ Distinction from equally qualified candidates can be made through an excellent interpersonal skill profile.
4/ Poor listening skills, too much buzz, and negative body language are among the common mistakes.
5/ Practice common questions on interpersonal skills and use them as an opportunity to leave a lasting impression.
6/ Sharpening interpersonal skills will help an individual perform efficiently in job interviews and create helpful, professional relationships at work.
By improving your interpersonal skills, you can excel in job interviews and build meaningful professional relationships. These job interview tips will help you not only succeed in interviews but also build meaningful professional relationships throughout your career journey.
Join Diksha Arora’s Interview Preparation Course and turn your career aspirations into reality. Let’s make your dream job a reality together!
