Good communication is the lifeblood of any successful organization. It’s the key to a productive workforce and a successful business. Without it, teams can become disjointed, goals won’t be met and morale will suffer. That’s why it’s so important to make sure you hire people with strong communication skills.

The ability to communicate effectively is one of the most important skills for any position. Whether it is verbal, written, or technical, having strong communication skills is essential in today’s constantly connected world. 

Good communication allows teams to collaborate and work together effectively. It also helps to foster a sense of trust and understanding between employees and encourages collaboration and creativity.

In this blog post, let’s look at the benefits of good communication, the 15 communication skills recruiters should look for, and the interview questions about communication they should ask to gauge these skills. These will include questions about how a candidate has used communication to solve problems in the past, how they handle difficult conversations, and how they build relationships with colleagues.

So, let’s get started.

Benefits of good communication

• Increased productivity

Good communication within a business organization can help increase productivity. Effective communication between team members, managers, and other stakeholders can help ensure that everyone is on the same page and working together towards the same goals. This can help reduce misunderstandings and miscommunication, which can lead to wasted time, effort, and resources. Good communication can also help ensure that everyone is aware of their individual tasks and responsibilities, which can help streamline processes and improve productivity.

• Improved relationships

Good communication within a business organization can also help improve relationships between team members and stakeholders. Clear communication can help ensure that everyone is aware of each other’s roles, responsibilities, and expectations. This can help foster trust and respect, which can lead to better working relationships. Good communication can also help ensure that everyone is aware of the company’s goals and objectives, and how they can contribute to achieving them.

• Increased efficiency

Good communication can also help increase efficiency within a business organization. Effective communication can help ensure that tasks and responsibilities are clearly understood and that everyone is aware of the timeline and deadlines. This can help reduce confusion and ensure that tasks are completed on time. Good communication can also help ensure that the right resources are allocated to the right tasks, which can help streamline processes and reduce wasted time and resources.

• Improved decision-making

Good communication can also help improve decision-making within a business organization. Clear communication can help ensure that all stakeholders are aware of the available data, facts, and opinions that are relevant to the decision-making process. This can help reduce the risk of miscommunication or misunderstandings, which can lead to poor decision-making. Good communication can also help ensure that everyone is aware of the potential consequences of each decision, which can help ensure that the best possible decisions are made.

Communication skills you should seek in a candidate

        1. Listening

When interviewing a candidate, it is important to assess their listening skills. Listening is an essential part of communication, as it allows us to understand what the other person is saying and respond appropriately. A good listener will be able to understand the speaker’s point of view, ask relevant questions, and provide thoughtful feedback.

        2. Nonverbal communication

Nonverbal communication is just as important as verbal communication. Pay attention to the candidate’s body language and facial expressions. Are they making eye contact? Are they smiling? Are they open and relaxed? A candidate who is able to effectively communicate nonverbally is likely to be an effective communicator overall.

        3. Clarity and concision

The ability to communicate clearly and concisely is an important skill for any job. Candidates should be able to express their ideas in a clear and concise manner. They should also be able to understand and interpret complex information quickly and accurately.

        4. Friendliness

Friendliness is an important communication skill. A friendly candidate will be able to create a positive atmosphere and make the interviewer feel comfortable. They should be able to engage in conversation and show genuine interest in your questions.

        5. Confidence

Confidence is key when it comes to communication. A confident candidate will be able to express their ideas clearly and confidently. They should also be able to handle difficult questions without getting flustered.

        6. Empathy

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. A candidate with strong empathy skills will be able to understand the interviewer’s point of view and respond in a way that shows understanding and respect.

        7. Open-mindedness

Open-mindedness is an important communication skill. A candidate who is open-minded will be able to consider different perspectives and be willing to compromise. They should also be able to accept constructive criticism and learn from their mistakes.

        8. Respect

Respect is essential in any communication situation. A candidate should be able to show respect for the interviewer and their ideas. They should also be able to respect the opinions of others, even if they disagree.

        9. Feedback

The ability to provide constructive feedback is an important communication skill. A candidate should be able to give feedback in a way that is helpful and respectful. They should also be able to accept feedback from the interviewer and use it to improve their communication skills.

        10. Picking the right medium

The ability to pick the right medium for a particular situation is an important communication skill. A candidate should be able to assess the situation and choose the most appropriate medium for the message they are trying to communicate. For example, they should be able to choose between email, phone, or face-to-face communication depending on the situation.

        11. Conflict resolution

Conflict resolution is an important skill for any job. A candidate should be able to identify and address conflicts in a constructive manner. They should be able to listen to all sides of the argument, remain calm and composed, and come up with solutions that are beneficial to all parties.

        12. Negotiation

Negotiation is an important skill for any job. A candidate should be able to identify and address conflicts in a constructive manner. They should be able to listen to all sides of the argument, remain calm and composed, and come up with solutions that are beneficial to all parties. They should also be able to negotiate effectively, understand the needs of both parties, and come up with mutually beneficial solutions.

        13. Adaptability

Adaptability is an important communication skill. A candidate should be able to adjust their communication style to different situations and audiences. They should be able to remain flexible and respond quickly to changing circumstances.

        14. Questioning

Questioning is an important communication skill. A candidate should be able to ask thoughtful and relevant questions to gain a better understanding of the situation. They should be able to ask open-ended questions that encourage further discussion and provide insight into the issue.

        15. Assertiveness

Assertiveness is an important communication skill. A candidate should be able to express their opinions and ideas confidently and clearly. They should be able to stand up for their beliefs without being aggressive or intimidating. They should also be able to respect the opinions of others and be open to compromise.

10 must ask interview questions on communication

        1. How do you practice active listening? 

Active listening is a communication technique that involves listening carefully and attentively to the speaker, asking questions, and providing feedback to ensure understanding. Practicing active listening involves focusing on the speaker, using non-verbal cues to show interest, and summarizing or paraphrasing what the speaker has said to ensure understanding.

        2. How do you handle difficult conversations? 

Difficult conversations require careful preparation and thoughtful delivery. It is important to remain calm and professional, and to focus on the facts rather than emotions. It is also important to remain open to the other person’s perspective and to listen carefully.

        3. What team communication tools have you used in the past? 

Team communication tools are tools used to facilitate communication among team members. Examples of team communication tools include video conferencing, instant messaging, project management software, and collaboration tools.

        4. How do you handle feedback? 

Feedback should be handled with respect and professionalism. It is important to listen carefully to the feedback and to ask questions to ensure understanding. It is also important to thank the person for their feedback and to take the time to reflect on it before responding.

        5. How do you write for different audiences? 

Writing for different audiences requires understanding the needs and expectations of the audience. It is important to tailor the language and tone to the audience and to use simple, clear language that is easy to understand.

        6. How do you get your audience’s attention? 

To get an audience’s attention, it is important to use an engaging opening and to make the content relevant to the audience. It is also important to use visuals and stories to illustrate key points and to keep the audience engaged.

        7. How do you handle digital communication? 

Digital communication requires understanding the different platforms and tools available. It is important to be aware of the etiquette and norms for each platform and to use the appropriate language and tone.

        8. How do you keep communication channels open? 

Keeping communication channels open requires actively engaging with the other person and listening carefully to their perspective. It is important to be patient and to remain open to different points of view.

        9. How do you manage stress during difficult conversations? 

Managing stress during difficult conversations requires staying focused on the facts and remaining calm and professional. It is important to take deep breaths, remain aware of body language, and use active listening techniques.

        10. How do you adapt your communication style to different cultures? 

Adapting the communication style to different cultures requires understanding the cultural norms and expectations. It is important to be aware of the language and tone used and to be respectful of the other person’s culture.

How to gauge communication skills during virtual interviews?

Gauging someone’s communication skills during virtual interviews can be a challenge, especially when you can’t see the person face-to-face and conduct the interviews over platforms like Interviewer.AI. However, there are a few tips and tricks that you can use to assess a candidate’s communication skills.

First, pay attention to the candidate’s tone of voice. Does their voice sound confident, friendly, and clear? Or do they sound hesitant and unsure? Also, listen to the candidate’s word choice and grammar. Are they using appropriate language for the position they’re applying for?

Second, observe the candidate’s body language. Are they making eye contact and smiling? Are they sitting up straight and making gestures to emphasize their words? These are all signs of good communication skills.

Third, ask the candidate open-ended questions and listen to their responses. Do they answer the question directly, or do they go off on tangents? Do they provide detailed answers, or do they give short, vague answers?

Finally, ask the candidate to explain a complex concept or process. This will help you determine if they can effectively communicate difficult topics.

By following these tips, you can get a better sense of a candidate’s communication skills during virtual interviews. With enough practice, you’ll be able to accurately gauge someone’s communication skills and make a more informed hiring decision.

Want to improve your team? Ask the right questions about communication during the interview

Good communication is essential for any organization and asking the right interview questions about communication can help you determine if a candidate has the skills you are looking for.

It is important to remember that communication is a skill that is constantly evolving. Ask the candidate how they stay up to date with new communication trends and how they use these trends to improve their communication skills.

Ultimately, the best way to get an idea of a candidate’s communication skills is to ask them questions that will provide insight into how they communicate. Asking the right questions can make all the difference when it comes to determining if a candidate has the communication skills you need.

Interviewer.AI is a technology platform purposely built to support Recruiters and HR teams in finding top talent for their companies. Interviewer.AI is a state-of-the-art video recruiting software that uses AI (Artificial Intelligence) to screen in advance and shortlist the candidates that meet the criteria set. HR teams use the software to make the recruitment process more efficient and shorten the hiring cycle.  Learn more about how Interviewer.AI can help your business.

Increase your hiring team’s efficiency using a combination of resume scoring, skill assessment, and asynchronous video interviews. 

Gabrielle Martinsson is a Content Writer at Interviewer.AI. She’s a tech geek and loves optimizing business processes with the aid of tech tools. She also loves travelling and listening to music in her leisure.