Building relationships is key to success in any job, regardless of position. To build those relationships, you must be a good communicator. This involves asking the right questions and listening carefully to the answers.
If you’re interviewing for a position requiring strong relationships with others, you can expect to be asked questions about how you would build those relationships. Here are some questions you may be asked, along with example answers.
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15 Building Relationships Interview Questions with Example Answers
How do you define a good relationship?
The interviewer may ask this question to understand what qualities and characteristics you look for in relationships. This also helps them determine whether your values match those of the organization.
Answer: “To me, a good relationship is based on trust, mutual respect, and understanding. One that allows open communication and encourages both parties to discuss their ideas, interests, and opinions. I believe that a good relationship is one in which each person can be themselves and feel appreciated for their contributions.”
Tell me about a time when you had to build a relationship with someone who was initially difficult to work with. What steps did you take to establish a positive relationship?
This question helps the interviewer understand how you handle difficult situations and challenges and whether you would successfully build relationships with others. So be specific about the steps you took to build the relationship, including any challenges you faced and how you overcame them. Please focus on the positive outcome and emphasize how you contributed to it.
Answer: “I once had to build a relationship with a colleague who was initially difficult to work with. We had different personalities and didn’t seem to get along initially. To establish a positive relationship, I took the time to understand his perspective and learn more about his experiences. We discussed the issues causing tension and worked together to find common ground. Eventually, we could build a productive working relationship and develop mutual trust, which helped us to work together more smoothly and achieve our shared goals.”
How do you prioritize building and maintaining relationships with your colleagues, clients, or customers?
The interviewer wants to know how you prioritize relationships with others, especially those relevant to the role. In your answer, emphasize the importance of being proactive and intentional in building and maintaining relationships, and highlight specific strategies you use to stay connected and meet the needs of those you work with.
Answer: “I prioritize building and maintaining relationships by being proactive and intentional in my communication. I prioritize understanding the needs and expectations of my colleagues, clients, and customers, and I adapt my communication style to their preferences. I also make a conscious effort to keep in touch regularly, whether through regular check-ins, casual conversations, or industry events. Additionally, I always strive to deliver exceptional service and results, which helps to build trust and credibility.”
What strategies have you used to gain a new client’s or customer’s trust?
This question helps the interviewer determine how you establish relationships and gain trust from others. When answering, focus on specific strategies you use to demonstrate your reliability, competence, and commitment to building a strong relationship.
Answer: “I find that building trust starts with listening and understanding the needs of my clients or customers. I take the time to ask questions and actively listen to their answers. I also ensure that I always deliver on my promises, meet deadlines, and provide quality results. I stay in touch regularly and respond quickly to their questions or concerns. I strive to be responsive and flexible, adapting my approach to meet their changing needs. By demonstrating my reliability and competence, clients or customers become increasingly comfortable trusting me.”
Can you describe a time when you had to navigate a challenging conflict within a team or organization? How did you work to resolve it while maintaining positive relationships with everyone involved?
This question helps the interviewer understand how you handle challenging situations and navigate complex conflicts. When answering, please provide a specific example of a conflict you faced and the steps you took to resolve it. Focus on the positive outcome and emphasize how your approach maintained relationships with everyone involved. Remember to highlight your conflict resolution skills and ability to facilitate productive communication and collaboration within a team.
Answer: “In my previous job, our team had to work together to meet a tight deadline, and tensions were high as we tried to balance our different priorities and opinions. I took a proactive approach by facilitating a team meeting to encourage open communication and collaboration. I actively listened to everyone’s concerns and proposed a solution that addressed each person’s needs. I also made a conscious effort to stay neutral and not take sides, which helped to maintain positive relationships within the team.”
Describe a time when you had to negotiate with someone to reach a mutually beneficial outcome. How did you build rapport and trust with that person during the negotiation?
This question gives the interviewer insight into your negotiation skills and ability to build trust with others. When answering, provide a specific example of a successful negotiation you were involved in and explain how you built rapport with the other person to reach an amicable agreement. Highlight any strategies or techniques that enabled you to develop a sense of mutual trust and
Answer: “I recently had to negotiate with a vendor to reach a reasonable price point. Before we started the negotiation, I took the time to build rapport by learning about their business and understanding their needs. During our discussion, I showed that I was willing to compromise without compromising my values or objectives. Additionally, I remained transparent throughout the process, so they knew where I stood and what I was asking for. This helped to create a sense of trust that enabled us to reach an agreement.”
How do you build and maintain relationships with people who have different cultural backgrounds than you?
This question helps the interviewer understand how you approach cultural sensitivity and build meaningful connections with those from different backgrounds. When answering, emphasize your commitment to learning about different cultures and developing a respectful attitude toward others. Focus on strategies you use to demonstrate empathy and understanding while connecting with people who have different beliefs or experiences than you. Focus on adapting your communication style and being open-minded to learn and grow from others.
Answer: “I believe building relationships with people from different cultural backgrounds requires a curious and respectful approach. I make a conscious effort to understand their cultural values and norms, and I ask questions to learn more about their experiences and perspectives. I also make sure to be sensitive to potential cultural barriers and adapt my communication style as needed. By learning about and respecting different cultural backgrounds, I can build strong and meaningful relationships with people from diverse backgrounds.”
While maintaining positive relationships, how do you handle conflict or difficult conversations with colleagues, clients, or customers?
This question gauges your ability to handle difficult conversations and resolve conflicts while maintaining positive relationships. When answering, please provide an example of a time you encountered a conflict or challenging situation, and explain the steps you took to manage it. Highlight your ability to remain level-headed and work with others to find a solution that everyone can agree on.
Answer: “When I encounter a conflict or difficult conversation, I prioritize remaining composed and responding calmly while listening to all sides. I acknowledge the other person’s point of view without taking sides and focus on understanding their needs. From there, I look for common ground and propose solutions that satisfy everyone’s interests. Most importantly, I strive to remain respectful and supportive throughout the process to maintain positive relationships with colleagues, clients, or customers.”
Can you describe a time when you had to establish a new relationship with someone? What steps did you take to build rapport and trust?
This question assesses your ability to establish new relationships with people. When answering, provide an example of when you had to create a relationship from scratch and explain the steps you took to build rapport and trust. Emphasize any strategies or techniques that allowed you to successfully connect with the other person and develop a strong foundation for the relationship.
Answer: “In a previous job, I was assigned to work with a new team member from a different department. To establish a new relationship, I took the initiative to schedule a one-on-one meeting to get to know them and understand their role in the organization. I actively listened to their concerns and needs and shared my goals and expectations for our collaboration. I also ensured responsiveness and followed up on any action items we discussed. We built rapport and trust by taking these steps, which laid the foundation for a successful working relationship.”
35 Relationship Banker Interview Questions and Answers
How do you maintain relationships with colleagues or clients based in remote locations?
This question assesses your ability to build and maintain relationships with colleagues or clients based in remote locations. When answering, focus on strategies to stay connected with people who are not physically present. Describe techniques that allow for meaningful interactions while overcoming potential barriers such as distance or time zones. Detail any tools or technologies you use to ensure productive communication.
Answer: “When working with remote colleagues or clients, I prioritize regular communication and adapt my communication style to their preferences. I make sure to schedule regular check-ins and provide updates on our progress, and I use video conferencing or phone calls to build a personal connection. I also ensure to be responsive to their needs and concerns and proactively address any issues. By doing so, I can maintain strong and effective relationships, even when working with remote team members.”
How do you prioritize and manage your relationships with different stakeholders in your work?
This question assesses your ability to prioritize and manage relationships with different stakeholders in your work. When answering, explain how you handle the demands of multiple stakeholders. Describe any strategies you have used to ensure all interests are met while maintaining positive and productive relationships. Highlight any successes or challenges you have encountered and how they allowed you to hone your interpersonal skills with stakeholders.
Answer: “In my work, I prioritize relationships with stakeholders by learning as much as possible about their needs and preferences. This allows me to tailor my interactions and communication to meet the needs of each stakeholder. I also strive to establish a mutual understanding of expectations and roles between myself and the other parties involved. To manage the demands of multiple stakeholders, I break down large projects into smaller tasks and prioritize them accordingly. This helps to ensure that all interests are met promptly while maintaining positive relationships with all stakeholders.”
How do you handle challenging personalities or difficult people in a professional setting?
This question assesses your ability to handle challenging personalities or difficult people in a professional setting. When answering, focus on strategies you use to diffuse conflict and maintain positive relationships with those who may be difficult to work with. Explain how you remain calm and composed under pressure and discuss techniques that allow for successful collaboration without sacrificing your integrity. Highlight any successes or challenges you have encountered and how they improved your interpersonal skills.
Answer: “I handle challenging personalities or difficult people professionally by remaining calm, understanding their perspectives, and communicating with respect and empathy. I listen to the other person’s point of view without judgment, identify common ground between us, and focus on finding mutually beneficial solutions. I also remain firm in my convictions and stand up for myself and any other stakeholders impacted by the situation. By doing so, I can work with difficult people without sacrificing my integrity or professional relationships.
I strive to create an environment of trust, understanding, and collaboration by practicing active listening, being transparent and honest in my communication, and always respecting the opinions of others. I am also mindful of how my actions may affect the dynamics of a group or team and always strive to foster an atmosphere of respect.”
How do you develop and maintain relationships with your mentors or advisors?
This question assesses your ability to develop and maintain relationships with mentors or advisors. When answering, please explain how you take an active role in building these relationships and discuss techniques you use for maintaining and growing them over time. Describe any successes or challenges that have allowed you to hone your interpersonal skills with mentors and advisors.
Highlight your strategies to build trust, communication, and understanding with your mentors or advisors. Focus on your ability to benefit from their insights and experience and how it contributes to your success.
Answer: “I believe developing and maintaining relationships with mentors or advisors requires a proactive and respectful approach. I regularly check in with them, update them on my progress, and seek their guidance and advice. I also make sure to show my appreciation for their support and expertise. By building a strong and respectful relationship with my mentors or advisors, I can benefit from their insights and experience, and I am better equipped to achieve my goals.”
How do you network and build relationships outside of your immediate work environment?
This question assesses your ability to network and build relationships outside the immediate work environment. When answering, focus on strategies you use to develop online and offline connections. Explain how you introduce yourself to potential contacts, create mutually beneficial conversations, leverage your network for opportunities, and maintain positive relationships over time. Highlight any successes or challenges that have allowed you to hone your interpersonal skills outside the work environment.
Answer: “I believe networking and building relationships outside the immediate work environment requires a proactive and strategic approach. I use online platforms such as LinkedIn and professional networks in my industry to connect with professionals who can support me in reaching my goals. I attend industry events and conferences, participate in professional organizations, and seek opportunities to meet and connect with people in my field. I also follow up and maintain those relationships over time by sharing insights or asking for advice. Expanding my network and building relationships outside my immediate work environment, I can learn from others, share my expertise, and build a strong professional reputation.”
Can you describe a time you had to repair a relationship with a colleague or client after a misunderstanding or conflict?
This question assesses your ability to repair relationships after a misunderstanding or conflict. When answering, focus on your strategies to rebuild trust, discuss how you communicated and negotiated effectively, and explain why the relationship was important. Highlight any successes or challenges that have allowed you to hone your interpersonal skills in this situation.
Answer: “In a previous job, I had a conflict with a colleague over a project we were working on. We had a miscommunication that caused delays and frustration on both sides. I approached the situation by taking a step back and reflecting on my role in the conflict. I then reached out to my colleague to apologize and express my desire to find a solution that worked for both of us.
We had an open and honest conversation about our perspectives, which led to a better understanding of each other’s needs and a renewed sense of trust in our working relationship. By taking ownership of the situation and working collaboratively to find a solution, we were able to repair our relationship and continue to work together effectively.”
How do you measure the success of a professional relationship?
This question assesses your ability to measure the success of a professional relationship. When answering, focus on metrics you use to evaluate relationships, such as trust, collaboration, and mutual benefit. Explain how you track progress to identify areas for improvement or growth. Highlight any successes or challenges that have allowed you to hone your interpersonal skills when measuring the success of a professional relationship.
Answer: “I measure the success of a professional relationship by assessing various metrics, including trust, collaboration, and mutual benefit. I track progress through regular check-ins and feedback from both parties involved in the relationship. By having an open dialogue about successes and challenges, we can identify areas for improvement or growth.I also keep track of the amount of value we both gain from the relationship and how our connection has helped us reach our professional goals. This helps me determine if the relationship is worth maintaining or needs reassessment to remain beneficial for both parties.”
Conclusion
The ability to effectively manage interpersonal relationships is an important skill for any professional. When answering interview questions about relationship management, demonstrate your understanding of how to build, maintain, and measure the success of a professional relationship by outlining strategies you use and providing examples of successes or challenges that have allowed you to hone your interpersonal skills in such situations. Strong communication and collaboration can create strong professional relationships that benefit both parties.