What is the hiring manager looking for?

Hiring managers want to know that you have the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with people, both inside and outside the company. They want to see that you can work collaboratively, resolve conflicts, and build trust. They also want to know that you can effectively communicate your ideas and persuade others to see your point of view.

How to structure your answer

Here’s a suggested framework for answering this question:

* Introduction: Start by stating that you understand the importance of building strong relationships with stakeholders. Briefly explain why these relationships are important.
* Skills and qualities: Highlight the skills and qualities that you have that make you good at building relationships. This could include your communication skills, your ability to listen and understand others, your empathy, and your ability to resolve conflicts.
* Examples: Provide specific examples of times when you have successfully built strong relationships with stakeholders. This could include situations where you have resolved a conflict, negotiated a deal, or built a strong team.
* Conclusion: Summarize your answer by reiterating the importance of stakeholder relationships and how you are committed to building and maintaining them.

Tips to answer this interview question

Here are some tips and things to avoid when answering this question:

* Do:
> * Use specific examples to illustrate your points.
> * Be concise and avoid rambling.
> * Be positive and enthusiastic.
> * Practice your answer in advance so that you can deliver it smoothly and confidently.
> * Tailor your answer to the specific job you are interviewing for.

* Don’t:
> * Give vague or generic answers.
> * Focus on negative experiences or conflicts.
> * Be overly self-promotional.
> * Interrupt the interviewer or talk over them.
> * Be dishonest or exaggerate your experience.

Example interview answers to this question

Here are some strong sample answers to the question “How do you approach building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders?”:

Sample Answer 1:

“I believe that strong relationships with stakeholders are essential for success in any role. I take a proactive approach to building these relationships by getting to know people on a personal level, understanding their needs and goals, and communicating with them regularly. I am also always willing to go the extra mile to help others, which helps me to build trust and rapport.

For example, in my previous role, I was responsible for working with a team of external vendors. I made an effort to get to know each vendor personally and understand their business needs. I also made sure to communicate with them regularly, both formally and informally. As a result, I was able to build strong relationships with the vendors, which helped us to work together more effectively and achieve our goals.

I am confident that I can use my skills and experience to build strong relationships with stakeholders in this role. I am a good listener, I am empathetic, and I am always willing to help others. I am also a strong communicator and I am able to build trust and rapport with people easily.”

* Why this answer is strong: This answer is strong because it is specific, it provides examples, and it demonstrates the candidate’s skills and qualities that make them good at building relationships. The candidate also explains how they would use their skills and experience to build relationships in the new role.

Sample Answer 2:

“In my experience, the best way to build strong relationships with stakeholders is to be authentic and genuine. I believe that people can tell when you are being fake or disingenuous, so I always try to be myself and be honest with people. I also make an effort to be proactive and reach out to stakeholders to build connections with them.

For example, in my previous role, I was responsible for working with a team of internal stakeholders to develop a new product. I made a point of meeting with each stakeholder individually to get to know them and understand their needs and goals. I also made sure to keep them updated on the progress of the project and to get their feedback. As a result, I was able to build strong relationships with the stakeholders, which helped us to develop a successful product.

I am confident that I can use my skills and experience to build strong relationships with stakeholders in this role. I am a good listener, I am empathetic, and I am always willing to help others. I am also a strong communicator and I am able to build trust and rapport with people easily.”

* Why this answer is strong: This answer is strong because it demonstrates the candidate’s understanding of the importance of authenticity and genuineness in building relationships. The candidate also provides a specific example of how they built relationships with stakeholders in a previous role. Finally, the candidate expresses confidence in their ability to build relationships in the new role.