Thank you for visiting! If you're preparing for a Civil Service interview, especially for the Senior Executive Officer (SEO) role, you're in the right place.
Today, we’ll cover one of the key behaviors you'll be tested on: Communicating & Influencing.
We’ll explain what this behavior means at the SEO level, how to use the B-STAR method to answer interview questions effectively, and provide useful tips on what interviewers are looking for.
What is Communicating & Influencing?
Communicating & Influencing is about your ability to clearly express ideas, build relationships, and persuade others to support your position. At the Senior Executive Officer level, you're expected to handle more complex and high-stakes situations compared to more junior roles.
How is this different at the SEO level?
- Higher stakes: At SEO, your communication impacts policies and projects that affect wider teams or departments.
- Influence at scale: You’ll need to influence senior stakeholders, often across different teams or organizations, which can require diplomacy and tact.
- Strategic thinking: Unlike junior roles, SEO involves anticipating responses and managing resistance while keeping long-term goals in mind.
How to Answer Using the B-STAR Method
The B-STAR method is an excellent framework for structuring your interview answers. Here’s how it works:
- B = Belief: Start by explaining what you believe about effective communication and influence. For example, you might say that you believe good communication is key to building trust in teams.
- S = Situation: Briefly describe a specific situation where you had to use these skills.
- T = Task: Explain what you were responsible for in this situation.
- A = Action: Detail the specific actions you took to communicate clearly and influence others.
- R = Result: Share the outcome of your actions. Ideally, highlight a positive result that shows the impact of your approach.
Common Interview Questions for Communicating & Influencing
✨ Can you give an example of a time when you had to influence a senior stakeholder?
✨ Describe a situation where you had to communicate a difficult message to your team.
✨ Tell me about a time when you managed a conflict between two colleagues.
✨ Click this link to see more example questions... here
What Interviewers Are Looking For
Let’s break down some typical questions and what the interviewer will want to see from your answers.
Can you give an example of a time when you had to influence a senior stakeholder?
The interviewer wants to see if you can adapt your communication style depending on your audience. They’re looking for evidence of how you prepare for discussions with senior figures, how you handle objections, and how your influencing led to a positive change.
Describe a situation where you had to communicate a difficult message to your team.
In this scenario, they’ll be interested in your ability to remain calm, factual, and supportive, even under pressure. They want to see if you balance transparency with empathy when delivering difficult news.
Tell me about a time when you managed a conflict between two colleagues.
Here, the focus will be on your diplomacy and problem-solving skills. The interviewer wants to know how you listened to both sides, kept the conversation productive, and guided the parties toward a resolution.
Scenario Ideas
Here are some real-life scenarios to think about when preparing your answers:
🎯 Presenting a challenging proposal to senior leaders where you faced opposition
🎯 Handling team resistance when implementing a new policy
🎯 Mediating a dispute between departments to ensure smooth collaboration
Common Mistakes to Avoid
🚫 Talking too much about yourself: Focus on how your actions impacted others, not just what you did.
🚫 Failing to link the outcome to the behavior: Always show how your communication and influencing made a positive difference.
🚫 Being vague: Specific examples with clear actions and results are key.
🚫 Ignoring the “Belief” step: Explain what you believe about good communication before diving into your example.
Key Takeaways
- Communicating & Influencing at the SEO level involves more strategic communication and persuasion with higher-level stakeholders.
- Use the B-STAR method to structure your answers, always starting with your belief about the importance of communication.
- Tailor your examples to show how your skills impact outcomes in real-world situations.
- Avoid common pitfalls by being specific, focusing on results, and keeping the interviewer’s expectations in mind.
Good luck with your interview preparation! Stay calm, be clear, and let your natural communication skills shine.
Learn more about HEO/SEO Civil Service interviews with our guide...
