During an interview, many different kinds of questions are asked. Some questions are behavioral, such as “describe a situation where you had to successfully persuade someone to see things your way.” Interviewers frequently use behavioral interview questions to understand how you apply your knowledge and skills in particular contexts.
Traditional interview questions are based on facts, whereas behavioral questions are not. Instead, these inquiries focus on your past performance with the rationale that it serves as a reliable predictor of your future behavior.
You have the opportunity to showcase your abilities, character traits, experiences, and knowledge in response to questions like this one. Knowing what the interviewer may be looking for will help you prepare the best possible response that highlights your charm, problem-solving skills, and capacity for persuasion. Describe a situation in which you had to successfully persuade someone to see things your way. Some hiring managers may adopt this question and make it their own. ’.
Even though these questions initially appear to be difficult, with the proper preparation and application of the STAR method, anyone can provide a well-reasoned response. Keep in mind that it’s a good idea to keep applying for jobs as you get ready for your interview. Using our resume builder, you can create a new resume or update an existing one in just three easy steps.
- Tell me about a time when you have persuaded someone else to do something they didn’t want to do.
- Tell me about a time when you had a disagreement with a team member. …
- Tell me about a time when you had to work with a difficult person.
STAR Story Example – Influence and Persuasion
How to answer “Tell me about when you influenced someone”
You can prepare an answer to this interview question by following these five steps:
Example 3
“My niece recently had to choose her college major in the final stages. Despite her dedication to her studies, she has always enjoyed learning about so many different topics that she has never been certain of her intended career path. My niece and I needed to talk about her options, so I asked her to meet me for coffee. She discussed her potential majors and the associated career options, highlighting how she was torn between them.
I assisted her in developing a decision matrix so she could assess her choices with greater objectivity. The decision matrix demonstrated that she would be best served by majoring in history. She and I also talked about how, even though this is the best choice right now, it’s okay if she later changes her major or career goals. My niece appreciated my assistance in helping her understand her options and that it’s okay to change our career goals later in life. For now, shes still happily majoring in history. “.
Be positive
Keep your example positive. Be careful not to disparage those who initially disagreed with your actions, ideas, or argument. Instead, concentrate on the ways in which you persuaded others to support or concur with your plans or ideas.
The best strategy for answering this question is to pick a situation in which you clearly helped others make the right decision. Make it data driven, not opinion driven. In the absence of data, gather it through testing. And be aware that you shouldn’t appear rigid in your consideration of others’ viewpoints. Avoid any instances in which you attempted to influence people but were unsuccessful or doing so in shady circumstances.
For entry-level candidates, here’s an illustration of how to best respond to this inquiry: “While working on my most recent internship, I needed access to data from a different department to complete one segment of my project. Because I was an intern, the head of that department initially turned down my request for access to the data. When I asked my manager for help, she responded that it was an opportunity for me to learn and that I should figure it out on my own. So I asked the department manager to meet in person. I explained the details of my project to him during that meeting, including how the data would be used and safeguarded. Later that day, once he was aware of the data’s intended use and security, he gave me permission to access it.
To be fully prepared for your interview, review the answers to these Common Interview Questions.
Why the interviewer is asking this question: The interviewer wants to know how you use persuasion. A good interviewer will delve into specific instances when you had an impact on others, taking into account the situational factors, what you did specifically, and the outcome.
Similar interview questions include: How do you persuade people to act the way you want them to; Do you see yourself as a leader or a follower; What do you do to influence others; and Do you see yourself as an influencer.
7 sample answers to “Describe a situation in which you were able to use persuasion to successfully convince someone” interview question
Why do interviewers ask how you influence others?
“How do you influence people?” “Can you give me an instance where you persuaded someone?” The following are typical interview questions that a hiring manager will ask: “Do you consider yourself a leader or a follower?”
An interviewer is looking for someone who can influence others to act in the best interests of the business without being pushy, dishonest, or manipulative.
FAQ
How do you answer interview questions about persuasion?
- Think about your persuasion skills. Consider your persuasive abilities. …
- Research the company culture. …
- Choose a specific example. …
- Use the STAR method. …
- Be positive.
How can I be persuasive in an interview?
- They study up. …
- They make the first seconds count. …
- They develop a relationship. …
- They zoom in on skills. …
- They don’t push too hard. …
- There are certain words they never use. …
- They ask a lot of questions.
What is a persuasive interview?
A persuasive interview is one in which the interviewer attempts to influence the interviewee to make a decision at the conclusion of the conversation.
What are the four questions that you need to answer to persuade someone?
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Four Questions You Must Answer to Convince An Audience
- Why?
- What?
- How?
- What If?
