"Interpersonal skills" refers to mental and communicative algorithms applied during social communications and interaction to reach certain effects or results. The term "interpersonal skills" is used often in business contexts to refer to the measure of a person's ability to operate within business organizations through social communication and interactions. Interpersonal skills are how people relate to one another.
Technology's transformation of the workplace not only places a premium on technical abilities, also puts employees' interpersonal skills to their greatest test. Ironically, the more advanced technology becomes, the more a worker's interpersonal skills are showcased. The reverse is also true -- people who are lacking in them will expose these shortcomings to widening audiences as the technological tools used in business result in more frequent information exchange. E-mail memos, for example, place writing skills in plain view of many different people simultaneously. Moreover, these are often forwarded to others. The pervasiveness of both audio and video teleconferencing will reveal verbal and diplomacy skills as well as negotiation and persuasion. In the final analysis, people skills may be even more difficult to acquire and master than technical expertise, since they are intangible.
Research has shown that more people lose their jobs because they can't get along with others, i.e. have poor interpersonal skills, than those who are fired because they lack technical savvy. In fact, companies are now selecting new hires based on how they present themselves in writing, conduct themselves face-to-face, handle questions and ambiguity, analyze work styles, describe how they'd deal with selected scenarios -- past and future, connect with the interviewer, and in general, how well they communicate. Employers have found that you can train sharp people and teach them new skills they will need for the job. But, it is much more difficult (and in some cases impossible) to infuse individuals with a caring attitude, empathy, and all the other skills that make one a great communicator.
In today's office, everything revolves around not good, but GREAT communication. In addition, administrative professionals often serve as communications hubs within their organizations. They work with internal customers (the managers they support and everyone who is part of the workflow - both up and down the organizational ladder) and external customers (clients, vendors, and business partners, to name a few). Admins must have a command of all forms of communication - written, verbal, presentations, e-mail, telephone etiquette, online interactions, listening skills, participation in workgroup meetings, and one-on-one interactions. It takes a master communicator to develop all these skills and continue to hone them for every situation.
It is important to have interpersonal skill for intending the interview because during the interview, the interviewer will ask question and test either the candidate have good interpersonal skill or not. The chance to get hired by that company is bigger if we have the best interpersonal skill compared to another candidate. So, interpersonal skills need to practice in the work and organization also our life.
The employer will ask you a range of questions at the interview to establish whether you have good interpersonal skills. You need to demonstrate that you can solve problems and conflicts with your colleagues and peers and that you have in the past been able to build effective relationships with supervisors and management
The employer will try to find out what your strengths and weaknesses are and may ask you how you rate yourself as a team player, how others would rate you etc. They may ask you to provide an example of a situation where a conflict arose with a colleague and or management.
They will ask you to detail how you dealt with the situation and what the outcome was. The answers you provide will allow them to determine whether you have good interpersonal skills.
You need to anticipate the questions and have your answers ready.
Questions may include things such as:
Tell me about a time when you had to work with someone who you did not like. What did you do to make the relationship work?
Tell me about a time when you disagreed with a decision or request of your manager. How did you approach them? What was the outcome?
Spend some time thinking about scenarios you have encountered at work that could have been or were problematic. Consider how you dealt with them and what you could have done differently for a better outcome. Think about situations where you have excelled under pressure. Offer those as examples of your good interpersonal skills at the interview.
What about my Interview Interpersonal skills, how do I communicate effectively with the interviewer?
Having good interview interpersonal skills is about being prepared and putting forward information with confidence. First impressions of course always count!
Prepare
Make sure you prepare for the interview by anticipating the questions and preparing your answers. dress appropriately and read your CV, application letter and take copies. Leave home in good time, check for any potential delays.
Try to arrive 5 minutes early and be pleasant with everyone you meet in the company when making your way to the interview room. They may feed back your performance to the interviewer. If you are late call and let them know and turn your mobile OFF before going into the interview.
Make your entrance
Enter the room with confidence walking at a steady pace. Make eye contact and smile. Smiling is important as it makes you seem personable and approachable and we all respond well to those who smile so its always a win-win situation. Shake hands firm but friendly. Try to avoid the nervous limp lettuce hand shake which can suggest a weak character. Also avoid trying to almost break the interviewers hand which implies over-confidence and arrogance.
Be seated
When seated, do not fold your arms. Sit upright and confident in your chair, do not slouch or sit round shouldered. Do not fidget or become too animated. Its ok to engage the interviewer with some hand gestures but do not bang fists on tables or point etc.
Keep gestures friendly, open and honest.
If offered a drink, its probably better to decline, you may be nervous and spill it, or your hands may tremble etc.
Communicate
Try to maintain good eye contact and only answer questions you are asked. Do not get an attack of verbal diarrhea. Less is more in some cases! Refer to details you provided on your CV when they ask you questions and be prepared for trick questions where they may try to catch you out or just be testing your reactions.
Do not be rude or too personal about current or previous employers as this will reflect how you may be within their company shall they hire you. They don't want someone who will bad mouth them when not at work.
Stay calm, stay focused and try to get what you want out of the interview, the job!
RESOURSE:
http://www.cvtips.com/interpersonal_skills_on_the_job.html
http://www.iaap-hq.org/researchtrends/interpersonal_skills_most_important_for_career_advancement.htm
http://www.indobase.com/resumes/interpersonal-communication.html
http://www.wikipedia.com/_interpersonalskills
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