HEO Communicating and Influencing Interview Questions

HEO Application Help›Communicating and Influencing Interview Questions

HEO behaviour interview questions

Prepare for HEO Communicating and Influencing questions with criteria-led evidence

HEO Communicating and Influencing answers should explain your thinking, personal actions and result in enough depth for challenge. The question may use different wording, but the panel will still look for evidence aligned to the HEO and SEO criteria.

Communicating and Influencing interview questions can ask about a specific event, a difficult judgement, a change you led or the way you normally approach a problem. Listen to the exact wording and select the example that answers it most directly.

The strongest answers at HEO level show ownership of a defined outcome and make the reasoning visible. Communication must achieve something. Weak answers list emails, meetings and presentations but never explain the purpose, audience choices or effect.

On this page

HEO Communicating and Influencing criteria

The current HEO and SEO Communicating and Influencing guide expects evidence that you can:

“communicate in a straightforward, honest and engaging manner – choosing appropriate styles to maximise understanding and impact”
“encourage the use of different communication methods, including digital resources and highlight the benefits, including ensuring cost effectiveness”
“ensure communication has a clear purpose and takes into account people’s individual needs”
“share information as appropriate and check understanding”
“show positivity and enthusiasm towards work, encouraging others to do the same”
“ensure that important messages are communicated with colleagues and stakeholders respectfully, taking into consideration the diversity of interests”

What the panel is testing

Choose an issue where people had different levels of knowledge, needs or interests. Show how you selected formats, explained the message, listened, adapted and checked understanding.

The result should demonstrate agreement, correct action, improved understanding or a measurable change in behaviour.

A clear HEO-level responsibility rather than passive participation.
Personal actions and decisions supported by evidence or guidance.
Appropriate involvement of colleagues, stakeholders, specialists or users.
Control of risk, quality, inclusion, resources or competing priorities where relevant.
A credible result and enough underlying detail for follow-up questions.

12 HEO Communicating and Influencing interview questions

Question 1

Tell me about a time you explained a complex issue to different audiences.

Question 2

Describe how you influenced stakeholders who initially disagreed.

Question 3

Give an example of delivering a difficult message respectfully.

Question 4

Tell me about a communication method you changed to improve understanding.

Question 5

Describe how you checked that an important message had been understood.

Question 6

Give an example of adapting communication for an individual need.

Question 7

Tell me about a written briefing that led to a decision.

Question 8

Describe how you handled challenge during a presentation.

Question 9

Give an example of communicating positively during change.

Question 10

Tell me about a time digital communication improved value or reach.

Question 11

Describe how you balanced transparency with sensitive information.

Question 12

Give an example of bringing diverse interests towards agreement.

How to structure the answer

Belief or approach

Give one or two sentences explaining how you think about the issue. Keep this relevant to the question.

Situation

Set the context and difficulty briefly. Name the service, workstream, decision or outcome.

Task

State what you were responsible for and the authority you held.

Action

Explain what you decided and did, why you chose that approach, who you involved and how you managed the important risks.

Result

Give the outcome, measure and a practical improvement or learning point.

Members can unlock four full HEO Communicating and Influencing model answers below, plus question-specific scoring notes, likely follow-up questions and a final preparation checklist.

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