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Effectively showcasing communication and influencing examples in your job application is a critical competency that can significantly increase your chances of securing a role. These examples demonstrate your ability to convey ideas clearly and positively shape outcomes, which are skills highly valued by employers across industries. Based on our assessment experience, candidates who provide specific, results-oriented examples of these competencies often stand out in the hiring process.
Communication and influencing competencies refer to your proven ability to exchange information effectively—both verbally and in writing—and to use that interaction to guide, persuade, or motivate others toward a desired action or outcome. Employers seek evidence of these skills to understand how you will integrate into their team dynamics, collaborate with colleagues, and represent the company to external stakeholders. These examples can be drawn from internal situations, such as training a colleague, or external scenarios, like negotiating with a vendor.
Key distinction: While communication focuses on the clear transmission of information, influence is about the impact of that communication on others' decisions or behaviors. For instance, clearly explaining a new policy (communication) is different from persuading the entire team to adopt it enthusiastically (influence).
Your application documents—the resume, cover letter, and interview responses—are your primary tools for demonstrating these competencies. The goal is to move beyond simply listing "communication skills" and instead provide context, action, and result for each example.
On your resume: Integrate these examples into your experience bullet points. Instead of a generic duty, frame it as an achievement.
In your cover letter: This is your opportunity for a brief narrative. Dedicate a paragraph to a specific achievement that showcases both communication and influence.
During an interview: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. This ensures your examples are concise and impactful.
To help you brainstorm, here are common workplace scenarios that effectively showcase these skills. The most compelling examples often combine a clear communication action with a measurable influence outcome.
| Example Scenario | Communication Action | Influencing Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Selling a Product/Service | Articulating the product's benefits and value to a potential client. | Persuading the client to make a purchase, directly contributing to revenue. |
| Training New Employees | Verbally instructing and creating written documentation for new hires. | Enabling new team members to become productive faster, improving team efficiency. |
| Negotiating a Deal | Clearly stating your position and terms to a partner or vendor. | Reaching a favorable agreement that benefits your company, such as cost savings. |
| Managing a Project Team | Communicating deadlines, goals, and individual responsibilities. | Influencing the team to stay on track and collaborate effectively to meet project milestones. |
| Implementing a New Policy | Writing a clear policy document and presenting it to the department. | Gaining buy-in from colleagues, leading to successful adoption and compliance. |
Competency-based interviews are designed specifically to uncover these skills. Hiring managers will ask questions like "Tell me about a time you had to persuade a senior stakeholder?" or "Describe a situation where you dealt with a difficult team member."
Your preparation should involve:
Pro tip: Even if an example initially seems like a failure, focus on what you learned and how you adapted your communication strategy. This demonstrates resilience and a capacity for growth.
To maximize your success, select 2-3 highly relevant examples for the specific role, quantify your results wherever possible (e.g., "increased sales by 15%," "reduced errors by 25%"), and practice articulating them clearly. By providing concrete evidence of your communication and influencing abilities, you move from being a qualified candidate to a compelling one.
