15 Influencing Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviews, the questions you ask can be just as important as the answers you give. Asking the right questions can help you gather the information you need to make a decision about whether or not a job is right for you.

When you’re interviewing for a job, it’s important to be prepared to ask questions that will help you learn more about the role and the company. But what should you ask? Here are some ideas for influencing related interview questions:

– What does a typical day look like in this role? – What are the most important priorities for someone in this role? – What challenges do people in this role typically face? – What opportunities for growth and development are available in this role? – What kind of support is available to help people succeed in this role?

Asking questions like these can help you get a better sense of what it would be like to work in a particular role at a company. And when you have a better understanding of the job and the company, you’ll be in a better position to make a decision about whether or not it’s the right fit for you.

1. What are the different types of influence?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of influencing skills. It also allows you to show the interviewer that you can apply what you know about influence in different situations. There are many types of influence, and it’s important to be able to identify them when they’re used in an organization.

Example: “There are three main types of influence—reward, referent and expert. Reward influence occurs when someone offers something in exchange for another person’s action or behavior. Referent influence happens when people want to be like others because they admire them. Expert influence happens when people trust the advice of experts.”

2. Is it possible to use a single type of influence in all situations? If not, when do you think each type should be used?

This question can help the interviewer understand your ability to adapt and apply different influencing strategies in various situations. Use examples from past experiences to explain how you used each type of influence and what was successful about it.

Example: “No, I don’t think there is a single type of influence that should be used in all situations. In my last role as an account manager, I had to use multiple types of influence when working with clients. For example, if I wanted to convince a client to change their marketing strategy, I would have to use rational influence. However, if I needed to persuade them to spend more money on our services, I would need to use referent influence. It’s important to know which type of influence will work best for each situation.”

3. Can you explain what social influence is?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of social influence and how it works. It also allows you to show the interviewer that you can apply what you know about social influence in real-world situations.

Example: “Social influence is when one person’s behavior changes because of another person’s actions or words. For example, if I saw my friend order a salad at lunch, I might be more likely to order a salad myself. This is an example of social influence because my friend’s decision changed mine.”

4. Can you explain what emotional influence is?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the concept of emotional influence. It also allows you to show how you apply this skill in your daily life and work.

Example: “Emotional influence is when someone’s emotions affect their decision-making process. For example, if I’m trying to convince my friend to go out with me tonight, but they’re feeling tired, it may be more difficult for them to say yes. In this situation, I would try to make them feel excited or happy so that they are more likely to agree to hang out.”

5. Can you explain what positional influence is?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of influencing skills. Positional influence refers to the ability to persuade others based on your position in an organization. This can include managers, supervisors and other leaders. When answering this question, it can be helpful to define positional influence and explain how you use it in your work.

Example: “Positional influence is the power that comes with being in a certain role or position. For example, as a manager, I have more authority than my employees. This means I can give them orders and expect them to follow them. In my last job, I used positional influence when giving feedback to my team members. If someone was doing something wrong, I would tell them about it and offer advice for improvement.”

6. How would you describe the difference between persuasion and manipulation?

This question can help the interviewer understand your ethical standards and how you differentiate between positive and negative influence. Your answer should show that you know when to use persuasion and when to avoid manipulation.

Example: “Manipulation is a form of negative influence where I try to get someone to do something they wouldn’t normally do by using threats, coercion or other forms of pressure. Persuasion, on the other hand, is a more effective way of influencing others because it’s based on logic and reason. It helps me convince people to make decisions that are in their best interest. For example, if my manager asked me to persuade our team to work overtime, I would explain why working overtime could benefit them.”

7. When is it appropriate to use psychological pressure to influence someone’s behavior?

This question can help the interviewer assess your ability to use influence in a positive way. Use examples from past experiences where you used psychological pressure to achieve a goal or improve someone’s behavior.

Example: “In my last role, I worked with a team of salespeople who were struggling to meet their quotas. After conducting an analysis of each person’s performance, I found that many of them were using negative language when speaking with customers. This was causing some customers to avoid buying our products and instead buy similar ones from our competitors.

I met with each salesperson individually and explained how their words could affect customer behavior. I also showed them data on how much revenue they had lost due to their poor communication skills. By showing them the direct impact of their actions, I helped them understand the importance of using more positive language. The sales team increased their revenue by 10% within three months after implementing this change.”

8. Do you think that coercion can ever be an effective influencing tool? Why or why not?

This question can help an interviewer assess your ability to make ethical decisions. Your answer should demonstrate that you understand the importance of maintaining integrity and avoiding coercion in a professional setting.

Example: “Coercion is never an effective influencing tool because it’s not sustainable. If I were ever faced with a situation where I had to use coercion, I would try my best to avoid it as much as possible. However, if there was no other way to get someone to do something, then I would reluctantly use it. For example, if I needed to convince a client to pay their bill on time, I might offer them a discount for paying early. If they still refuse, then I would have to resort to using coercion by threatening to end our business relationship.”

9. Can you give me some examples of how you have influenced your team members’ behavior in the past?

This question is a great way to show your ability to influence others and get them on board with ideas. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give specific examples of how you influenced someone’s behavior or helped them achieve their goals.

Example: “In my last role as an assistant manager at a restaurant, I noticed that some servers were forgetting to ask customers if they wanted dessert after the meal. This was causing us to lose out on sales because we weren’t offering desserts to everyone who ordered dinner. So, I talked to the servers about the importance of asking every customer if they want dessert. After explaining why it was important, most of the servers agreed to do so. As a result, our dessert sales increased by 10%.”

10. What are some common mistakes made by people who attempt to influence others?

This question can help an interviewer assess your ability to recognize common mistakes and avoid them. It also helps you show that you have experience with influencing others, which is a key skill for many roles in business. When answering this question, it can be helpful to identify two or three of the most common mistakes made when attempting to influence someone.

Example: “Some people who try to influence others often make one of two mistakes. The first mistake is being too forceful with their opinions. This can cause other people to feel like they don’t have any choice but to agree with what’s being said. The second mistake is not giving enough information about why something should be done. People need to understand why they’re making certain decisions so they can buy into those decisions.”

11. What are some ways to develop stronger influencing skills?

This question can help the interviewer assess your ability to develop and improve yourself. Show them that you are willing to learn more about influencing skills by giving examples of how you’ve done so in the past.

Example: “I think one of the best ways to develop stronger influencing skills is through experience. I have had several opportunities at my previous job to practice my influencing skills, which has helped me become more confident when speaking with others. Another way I’ve developed my influencing skills is by reading books on persuasion and negotiation. These resources have given me new ideas for how to approach different situations.”

12. Can you explain what reciprocity is as a motivating factor for influencing?

Reciprocity is a motivating factor for influencing others. It’s when someone does something nice for you, and you feel compelled to do something nice in return. This question allows the interviewer to assess your ability to influence others by using reciprocity as a motivator. Use examples from past experiences where you used reciprocity to motivate others.

Example: “I’ve found that reciprocity can be an effective way of motivating people to take action. In my last role, I had a team member who was consistently late to meetings. I noticed he would often help other team members with their work, so I asked him if he could help me with some tasks during our next meeting. He agreed, and we started having regular meetings where he helped me with various tasks while also completing his own work.”

13. What does consistency mean in the context of influencing another person?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of influencing skills. It also allows you to show the interviewer that you understand how important consistency is when working with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give an example of a time you used consistency in your work.

Example: “Consistency means being consistent in your communication style and approach. For instance, if I am trying to influence someone who prefers written communication over phone calls or face-to-face meetings, I would make sure to send them emails rather than call them. If they prefer phone calls, then I would make sure to call them instead of sending an email. This shows them that I am aware of their preferences and want to respect them.”

14. What are some negative consequences of being too pushy with an influencer?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you understand the importance of being respectful when working with influencers. You can answer this question by giving examples of how pushy behavior could negatively affect an influencer and their brand.

Example: “I’ve worked with many influencers who have been very successful because they are genuine in their content. If I were to be too pushy about wanting them to promote something, it would likely turn them off from ever working with us again. It’s important to respect the time and energy they put into creating quality content for their followers. Pushiness can also make influencers feel like we don’t value their work enough to give them what they need.”

15. What are the main differences between soft and hard power when trying to influence others?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the two types of power and how they can be used in an organization. When answering this question, it’s important to define each type of power clearly and explain why one might be more effective than the other depending on the situation.

Example: “Soft power is achieved by influencing others through attraction rather than coercion or payments. It’s usually based on values that are shared between the influencer and those being influenced. Hard power, on the other hand, is achieved through force or threats. While hard power may seem like the most effective method for getting things done, I believe soft power is actually more beneficial because it creates long-term relationships with those you’re working with.”