Communications Questions

Example questions for Communications jobs.

What kinds of writing have you done? Describe some examples.
Describe one of your most successful oral presentations and what made it successful.
What have you done to increase your effectiveness in making presentations? To what extent have you been successful?
Tell me about one of the most difficult presentations you have had to make. Why was it difficult? How did it turn out?
Give me an example of the most serious communication problem you’ve had. What did you do about it?
Sometimes it’s important to disagree with others to keep a mistake from being made. Tell me about a time when you were willing to disagree with another person in order to build a positive outcome.
Tell me about a major conflict you had with a peer or customer that you were unable to resolve successfully. Why were you unsuccessful? What did you learn?
Would you rather write a report or give a verbal report? Why?
How much time do you spend reading the newspaper or watching the news each week?
If you could only use one form of communication for the rest of your life, what would you use?
How has a degree in communications prepared you for this job?

General

Introductory/About the interviewee

Tell me about yourself.
What are your major strengths/weaknesses?
What would your former employers say about you?
What community activities are you or would you like to be associated with? Why?
What qualities do you admire in others?
What are some personality characteristics you find undesirable in people?
Describe your ideal job.
What five adjectives best describe you?
What recent accomplishment are you most proud of?
Are you more energized by working with data or by collaborating with other individuals?
Describe your ability to listen and be responsive. Can you give me an example?
Describe the last book you read.
How much time do you spend on the Internet each week?

Career goals/Plans

Past experience

Tell me about your last job position and what you did.
What was the last mistake you made and how did you correct it?
Why were you unemployed for such a long period of time?
Why did you quit your last job?
What has made you stand out among your peers in your past work experience?
How did you prioritize multiple projects in your last job?
Tell me about a change that occurred in you last workplace. How did you handle it?
In what areas of work have you had the least amount of patience?
How do you prioritize multiple projects?
Do you prefer a structured or unstructured work environment?
How do you work under pressure?
What kinds of decisions are most difficult for you?

Related to the position/Company

Behavioral

Tell me about a time you were especially creative in solving a problem.
Describe a situation when you had to convince your peers of your opinion. Tell me what you said to convince them.
Tell me about a time you were frustrated with the performance of a group that you belong to. What did you do? What was the outcome?
Tell me about a time you had to make an important decision quickly even though you did not have all the information you wanted.
What motivates you? Provide an example of a time where motivation was an issue for you.
Tell me about a time you utilized your leadership ability to gain support for an idea that initially had strong opposition.
What kind of information have you been required to analyze? Tell me about the most difficult analysis you’ve ever engaged in.
What is the most complex topic you have explained to a group? How did you handle it?
Tell me about a time when you were unable to sell your idea to a key person.
How do you schedule your time and set priorities. Give me a specific example of how you have done so in the past.
Describe a situation where you demonstrated initiative. What was the outcome?
Tell me about a time you were disappointed in your performance. What did you do?
Give an example of how you have handled criticism in the past.
Give me an example of a time when you asked someone to complete a task and they did it incorrectly. What did this experience teach you?

Ringers/Difficult questions

Why are manhole covers round?
If you were an animal, which one would you be and why?
If you don’t get a job in (this field), what will you do?
Describe the top of your desk.
Tell me about something you are proud of that you’ve never told anyone before.
Imagine you could trade places with anyone for just a week. The person could be famous or not famous, living or from history, real or fictional. With whom would you trade places?
What kinds of Internet sites do you most frequently visit?

Closing