Questions may use different wording, but the panel will still assess evidence against the Grade 7 and Grade 6 Communicating and Influencing criteria. Listen to the exact question and choose the example that answers it most directly.
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Grade 7 Communicating and Influencing criteria
- “Communicate with others in a clear, honest and enthusiastic way in order to build trust.”
- “Explain complex issues in a way that is easy to understand.”
- “Take into account people’s individual needs.”
- “Deliver difficult messages with clarity and sensitivity, being persuasive when required.”
- “Consider the impact of the language used.”
- “Remain open-minded and impartial in discussions, whilst respecting the diverse interests and opinions of others.”
- “Introduce different methods for communication, including making the most of digital resources whilst getting value for money.”
- “Monitor the effectiveness of own and team communications and take action to improve where necessary”
What the panel is testing
Show how you simplified complexity, adapted to individual needs, handled difficult messages and improved the effectiveness of communication channels.
- A clear Grade 7 responsibility.
- Personal decisions and reasoning.
- Appropriate senior, cross-team or external influence.
- Control of risk, resources, inclusion or quality where relevant.
- A credible outcome and enough detail for follow-up questions.
12 Grade 7 Communicating and Influencing interview questions
How to structure the answer
Give one or two relevant sentences about how you think.
Set the strategic or delivery context briefly.
State your responsibility and authority.
Explain decisions, evidence, influence and risk.
Give the outcome and a practical learning point.
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