Job Interview Question and Answer: Describe A Situation Where You Demonstrated Negotiation Skills

The ability to negotiate is an art that is highly valued by many employers. Negotiation is about using your powers of persuasion, diplomacy and ability to come up with creative solutions and compromises to achieve, as far as possible, a win–win outcome or resolve a conflict.

Think of a specific situation that required you to use your negotiation skills and describe the situation, how you approached it and what result you achieved. What you are hoping to demonstrate is an ability to be persuasive and assertive and get a positive result, while also being able to make compromises and maintain relationships. Effective negotiation requires you to be able to communicate effectively, listen, read your audience, and be flexible and diplomatic.

Examples from your professional life could include the time you had to negotiate a new contract, deal with a difficult or demanding client or colleague, or close a tricky sale.

You could also choose to use examples from your personal life, such as the time you had to mediate between two feuding friends, or negotiate a crucial issue with your partner or children.