Common Interview Question: How Would You Describe Your Listening Skills?

If you are a bad listener, you are not going to get the job. No one that answers questions incorrectly and interrupts the interviewer is going to wow them with their amazing professionalism. If your listening skills suck, you’re probably not getting the position. Still, you may be asked to tell the interviewer how your listening skills are. Your answer should be brief.

How to Answer

Don’t make jokes. It’s too easy not to take this question seriously and think it is a prime opportunity for humor. It’s not. No jokes you will make are funny. They are tired and clichéd. Keep your answer brief, since there really isn’t much you can say on the topic anyway. Instead, try to hint at what you do to prove that you are listening. This is not a question that is going to win you your interviewer, but you can make the interview more awkward with your answer.

Bad Answer

“Great.” [[Followed by an awkward silence meant to be a joke about how you are ready to listen except all the interviewer knows is that all you said is one word and didn’t say anything else and no one laughs and then the interview gets weird.]]

Good Answer

“At all times I do my best to listen, absorb, and respond accordingly.”

Keep it brief, because a long discussion about how well you listen is going to be counterproductive. There is nothing interesting you can say, and a story about a time you used your listening skills is boring and unnecessary. A short, brief statement is good enough.

Take Away Interview Tips

• Don’t be cute or funny.
• Don’t share a story about a time you were a good listener.
• Make a brief statement about your listening ability and that’s enough.

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