AO Communicating and Influencing Interview Questions

AO Application Help Communicating and Influencing Interview Questions
AO behaviour interview
Prepare flexible answers for Communicating and Influencing
Communicating and Influencing questions test whether you can make information clear, choose a suitable method, listen properly and put forward a view with honesty and consideration. At AO level, influencing often means gaining practical agreement or resolving resistance through clear reasons rather than formal authority.

For written evidence, use the matching AO Communicating and Influencing Behaviour Statements guide. Strength questions are separate and should be prepared through the global Civil Service Strengths Interview Questions guide.

What the panel is testing

Communicating and Influencing questions test whether you can make information clear, choose a suitable method, listen properly and put forward a view with honesty and consideration. At AO level, influencing often means gaining practical agreement or resolving resistance through clear reasons rather than formal authority.

1
“put forward your views in a clear, constructive and considerate manner”
2
“use an appropriate method of communication for each person – for example an email, phone call, face-to-face – taking into consideration their individual needs”
3
“use plain and simple language, being careful to check written work for errors”
4
“consider the impact of language used on different groups of stakeholders”
5
“remain honest and truthful when explaining opinions”
6
“listen and ask questions to ensure your understanding”

How to prepare your evidence

1
Prepare more than one story
Use a primary example that covers all 6 criteria and at least one reserve example with a different setting or challenge.
2
Map actions to the criteria
Write one short note beside every official point showing the action in your story that proves it.
3
Prepare your reasoning
Know why you chose the communication method, priority, check, support or escalation used in the example.
4
Prepare follow-up detail
Be ready to explain guidance, alternatives, individual needs, obstacles and what you would improve.
5
Keep the result credible
Use a specific outcome that follows from your actions. Do not add invented figures simply to make the answer sound stronger.

AO Communicating and Influencing question bank

Explaining information clearly
1
Tell me about a time you explained information to someone who did not understand it at first.
2
Describe a time you had to turn detailed guidance into simple instructions.
3
Give an example of checking that an important message had been understood.
Adapting communication
4
Tell me about a time you changed how you communicated for a person’s individual needs.
5
Describe a situation where you used different methods for different audiences.
6
Give an example of choosing between email, telephone and face-to-face communication.
Constructive influence and challenge
7
Tell me about a time you persuaded someone to support a practical change.
8
Describe a time you put forward a different view constructively.
9
Give an example of responding when someone disagreed with your suggestion.
Difficult or uncertain messages
10
Tell me about a difficult conversation you handled calmly and honestly.
11
Describe a time you had to explain a delay or decision the other person did not want.
12
Give an example of listening carefully before deciding what to say.
Members can unlock the complete AO Communicating and Influencing interview section below, including a flexible answer framework, four full model answers to different questions, scoring breakdowns, likely follow-up questions and a final preparation checklist.

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