How to Ask Cross-Cultural Communication Interview Questions That Reveal True Candidate Potential

As globalisation continues to bring people from diverse backgrounds and cultures closer together in the workplace, cross-cultural communication skills have become essential for success. It’s no surprise that recruiters have started to place a higher emphasis on cross-cultural communication skills when hiring candidates. However, how can interviewers accurately assess a candidate’s ability to communicate across cultures? This article aims to provide guidance on how to ask cross-cultural communication interview questions that reveal true candidate potential.

1. Ask open-ended questions

Closed questions often yield a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ response and fail to provide much insight into a candidate’s communication skills. Instead, ask open-ended questions that encourage candidates to share a detailed response. For example, ‘Can you tell me about a time when you had to communicate with someone from a different culture in the workplace? What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?’

2. Focus on specific experiences

Asking candidates about past cross-cultural communication experiences is one of the best ways to understand their potential. Don’t just ask general questions about their experience; ask specific questions about particular challenges they faced and how they overcame them. For example, ‘What did you do when you didn’t understand something that someone from a different culture was trying to communicate to you?’

3. Pay attention to nonverbal communication

Effective cross-cultural communication skills go beyond just language proficiency. It entails understanding nonverbal signals and cues as well. During the interview, observe the candidate’s nonverbal communication skills and ask questions to assess their level of emotional intelligence. For instance, ‘How do you think that different cultures express emotions differently, and how do you adjust your communication to account for these differences?’

4. Devote time to cultural education

Culture shock can be a potent barrier to effective communication. Candidates who have a solid understanding of other cultures can be more effective communicators. During the interview, ask candidates to share their experiences with other cultures, and how they continue to learn about different cultures. For example, you could ask, ‘How do you stay up-to-date with changes and trends in different cultures? What resources do you use?’

In conclusion, assessing cross-cultural communication skills during the interview process can be challenging, but it’s essential to ensure that the candidate has the right skills to work effectively in a multicultural workplace. By asking open-ended questions, focusing on specific experiences, paying attention to nonverbal communication and devoting time to cultural education, hiring managers can gain valuable insights into a candidate’s potential to succeed in the role.