What is the hiring manager looking for?

Hiring managers ask this question to assess your interpersonal skills, communication style, and ability to cultivate mutually beneficial relationships. They seek candidates who can go above and beyond to exceed client expectations, resolve conflicts effectively, and create a positive experience for the customer.

How to structure your answer

Structure your response around these key points:

* Introduction: Begin by expressing your enthusiasm for building relationships with clients and customers. Briefly explain why you enjoy interacting with people and fostering positive interactions.

* Empathy and Understanding: Emphasize the importance of understanding the client’s perspective and needs. Describe how you actively listen to clients, ask thoughtful questions, and empathize with their challenges.

* Communication and Transparency: Highlight your strong communication skills and commitment to transparency. Explain how you keep clients informed, set clear expectations, and address any concerns or issues promptly and honestly.

* Professionalism and Trust: Convey your commitment to professionalism and building trust with clients. Discuss how you maintain a positive and respectful attitude, honor your commitments, and follow through on your promises.

* Going the Extra Mile: Share examples of how you go the extra mile to exceed client expectations. Describe situations where you took the initiative to resolve a problem, provide exceptional service, or create a memorable experience for the customer.

Tips to answer this interview question

Tips:
* Be specific: Provide concrete examples of how you built positive relationships with clients or customers in previous roles.
* Be authentic: Be yourself and let your personality shine through. Hiring managers can spot fake enthusiasm from a mile away.
* Be prepared to talk about challenges: Everyone encounters difficult clients or customers at some point. Be prepared to discuss how you handled a challenging situation and what you learned from it.

Things to avoid:
* Don’t ramble: Keep your answer concise and to the point.
* Don’t be negative: Even if you had a bad experience with a client or customer, don’t dwell on it. Focus on the positive and what you learned from the experience.
* Don’t make it all about you: The interviewer wants to know how you build relationships with clients, not how great you are.

Example interview answers to this question

Sample Answers:

* “I approach building positive relationships with clients by actively listening to their needs, understanding their perspectives, and communicating openly and transparently. I believe that trust is the foundation of any strong relationship, so I always strive to be honest, reliable, and responsive to my clients. I also go the extra mile to exceed their expectations, whether it’s by providing exceptional service or taking the initiative to resolve any issues that may arise.”

This answer is strong because it demonstrates the candidate’s understanding of the importance of empathy, communication, and trust in building client relationships. The candidate also provides a specific example of how they went the extra mile to exceed a client’s expectations.

* “In my previous role as a sales associate, I developed a strong rapport with my clients by taking the time to learn about their individual needs and preferences. I would often go above and beyond to find the perfect product for them, even if it meant going out of my way or putting in extra hours. As a result, I was able to build a loyal customer base who consistently returned to me for their shopping needs.”

This answer is strong because it provides a specific example of how the candidate built relationships with clients by understanding their needs and going the extra mile to meet those needs. The candidate also highlights the positive results of their efforts, such as building a loyal customer base.

* “Building positive relationships with clients is essential to my success as a customer service representative. I always strive to provide my clients with the best possible experience, whether it’s helping them resolve a problem, answering their questions, or simply providing a friendly and helpful attitude. I believe that by going the extra mile and making my clients feel valued, I can build strong relationships that will benefit both of us in the long run.”

This answer is strong because it demonstrates the candidate’s commitment to providing excellent customer service. The candidate also highlights the importance of going the extra mile and making clients feel valued.