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8 Interview Questions to Assess Interpersonal Skills
A structured set of questions hiring managers use to evaluate interpersonal skills. For each one you'll see what it's really testing, the green flags and red flags to listen for, and follow-ups to dig deeper — ranked by how often the question comes up.
DiplomacyEmpathyHumorMentoringNetworkingOffice PoliticsPatiencePersonal Branding
What it assesses: This question evaluates the candidate's conflict resolution skills and their ability to communicate effectively in challenging situations.
Green flags
- •Describes a specific conflict situation with clear context.
- •Demonstrates active listening and empathy towards others' perspectives.
- •Outlines a structured approach to resolving the conflict with a positive outcome.
- •Reflects on lessons learned and how they apply to future conflicts.
Red flags
- •Blames others without taking personal responsibility.
- •Provides vague or generic examples without specifics.
- •Shows a lack of awareness about the impact of conflict on team dynamics.
- •Fails to demonstrate any resolution or learning from the conflict.
Follow-up questions
- →How did you feel during that conflict, and how did it affect your team?
- →What would you do differently if faced with a similar situation again?
- →Can you describe a time when a conflict escalated despite your efforts?
What it assesses: This question evaluates a candidate's self-awareness, communication skills, and ability to share relevant personal experiences that highlight their interpersonal strengths.
Green flags
- •The candidate shares a unique personal story that reveals their character or values.
- •They connect their answer to the job role or company culture.
- •They demonstrate enthusiasm and confidence in their response.
- •The candidate discusses a skill or experience that complements their professional qualifications.
Red flags
- •The candidate provides a vague or generic answer without personal insight.
- •They struggle to articulate their thoughts or seem unprepared.
- •Their response is overly focused on irrelevant personal details.
- •They express negativity or lack of enthusiasm about their experiences.
Follow-up questions
- →Can you elaborate on how this experience has shaped your professional approach?
- →How do you think this aspect of yourself will contribute to our team?
- →Can you share an example of how this has helped you in a work setting?
What it assesses: This question evaluates the candidate's motivation, understanding of the company, and alignment with its values and goals.
Green flags
- •Demonstrates knowledge of the company's mission and values.
- •Expresses enthusiasm for the specific role and its responsibilities.
- •Mentions a desire to contribute to the company's success or culture.
- •Relates personal career goals to the opportunities offered by the company.
Red flags
- •Provides vague or generic reasons without specifics about the company.
- •Focuses solely on salary or benefits without mentioning the role or company culture.
- •Shows little understanding of the company's products, services, or market position.
- •Gives an answer that seems rehearsed or insincere.
Follow-up questions
- →Can you share a specific aspect of our company that resonates with you?
- →What do you think you can bring to our team that aligns with our goals?
- →How do you see your career developing with us in the next few years?
What it assesses: This question evaluates a candidate's self-awareness and adaptability in their work approach, as well as their ability to communicate effectively.
Green flags
- •Provides specific examples of their working style in action.
- •Demonstrates adaptability to different team dynamics and projects.
- •Mentions collaboration and communication as key components of their style.
- •Shows an understanding of how their style impacts team performance.
Red flags
- •Gives vague or overly generalized descriptions of their working style.
- •Fails to acknowledge the importance of teamwork or collaboration.
- •Indicates a rigid or inflexible approach to work.
- •Does not provide any examples or evidence to support their claims.
Follow-up questions
- →Can you describe a situation where your working style helped resolve a conflict?
- →How do you adjust your working style when collaborating with different personalities?
- →What feedback have you received from colleagues about your working style?
What it assesses: This question evaluates the candidate's enthusiasm for the role and alignment with the company's goals and values.
Green flags
- •Clearly articulates specific aspects of the position that resonate with their career goals.
- •Demonstrates knowledge of the company and its mission or projects.
- •Expresses a genuine passion for the industry or field related to the role.
- •Links personal skills or experiences to the responsibilities of the position.
Red flags
- •Provides vague or generic answers without specific details.
- •Focuses only on salary or benefits rather than the role itself.
- •Shows a lack of research about the company or position.
- •Expresses excitement about unrelated aspects, like location or hours.
Follow-up questions
- →Can you give an example of how your interests align with the projects we are currently working on?
- →What specific skills do you hope to develop in this role?
- →How do you see this position contributing to your long-term career goals?
What it assesses: This question evaluates a candidate's self-awareness and understanding of their own skills, as well as how they perceive their value in a team or leadership role.
Green flags
- •Identifies strengths that are relevant to the role and provides specific examples.
- •Demonstrates confidence without arrogance in discussing their abilities.
- •Articulates how their strengths have positively impacted previous teams or projects.
- •Shows a willingness to develop and improve upon their strengths.
Red flags
- •Provides vague or generic strengths that lack relevance to the position.
- •Struggles to give examples or evidence of their strengths in action.
- •Overemphasizes strengths without acknowledging any areas for improvement.
- •Displays a lack of self-awareness or insight into their capabilities.
Follow-up questions
- →Can you share a specific instance where one of these strengths made a difference in your work?
- →How do you leverage your strengths to support your team or colleagues?
- →What steps are you taking to further develop your strengths?
What it assesses: This question evaluates a candidate's self-awareness and understanding of their preferred work style, which can impact team dynamics and communication.
Green flags
- •Describes a collaborative environment that emphasizes teamwork and open communication.
- •Mentions flexibility or adaptability, indicating a willingness to adjust to different work styles.
- •Highlights a positive atmosphere, such as supportive or inclusive, suggesting they value interpersonal relationships.
- •Provides specific examples of how these words relate to their past experiences.
Red flags
- •Uses vague or generic terms that lack specificity, indicating a lack of self-reflection.
- •Focuses solely on negative aspects of past environments, suggesting a potential for conflict.
- •Avoids mentioning teamwork or collaboration, which may indicate a preference for isolation.
- •Contradicts their stated words with examples from their work history.
Follow-up questions
- →Can you provide an example of a time when you thrived in an environment that matched these words?
- →How do you adapt when your work environment does not align with your ideal description?
- →What role do you think communication plays in creating your ideal work environment?
What it assesses: This question evaluates a candidate's interpersonal skills, work-life balance, and ability to engage in teamwork outside of a professional environment.
Green flags
- •Mentions activities that involve collaboration or teamwork, like team sports or group hobbies.
- •Demonstrates a passion for personal development or learning, such as taking classes or volunteering.
- •Shares examples of how their interests contribute to their work ethic or productivity.
- •Expresses enthusiasm and positivity about their hobbies, indicating a well-rounded personality.
Red flags
- •Provides vague or one-word answers without elaboration.
- •Focuses solely on solitary activities, showing a potential lack of teamwork skills.
- •Indicates that they have no interests outside of work, suggesting a poor work-life balance.
- •Speaks negatively about their activities or experiences, reflecting a lack of enthusiasm.
Follow-up questions
- →Can you share a specific example of how your hobbies have helped you in your professional life?
- →How do you balance your personal interests with your work commitments?
- →What skills have you developed through your extracurricular activities that apply to teamwork?
Build a interpersonal skills interview guide
Assemble these questions into a printable, structured interview guide — or browse the full bank tagged with this competency.