International interview 🗣 How to Effectively Assess Candidates’ Language Skills?

Assessing soft language skills in the recruitment process can be challenging, but there are specific strategies to help determine whether a candidate has the necessary communication competencies.

If you haven’t yet participated in our renowned recruiter training, the following practical tips will surely come in handy:

1️⃣ Assessing Communication Fluency

👉 „Can you describe a challenging project you worked on?”
👉 „What do you value most in teamwork?”
Observe whether the candidate speaks fluently, how well they articulate their thoughts, and whether their answers are coherent and logical.

2️⃣ Understanding and Responsiveness

Evaluate how the candidate responds to your questions:
✅ Do they understand the questions clearly?
✅ How do they handle situations where they don’t understand something? Do they ask for clarification politely, e.g., „Could you please clarify this point?”
The ability to ask questions effectively is a key indicator of strong communication skills.

3️⃣ Context and Tone Awareness

Ask about situations that require an appropriate tone, for example:„How would you explain a company policy to a new team member?” or „Imagine a conflict situation. How would you handle it professionally?”
Check whether the candidate can adjust their communication style to a formal context and express empathy and understanding.

4️⃣ Ability to Express Emotions and Opinions

Strong language skills also involve expressing emotions and opinions appropriately. Try asking:
👉 „What’s the most rewarding part of your job?”
Observe whether the candidate can convey their thoughts clearly and professionally.

5️⃣ Interview Simulation

Conduct a short business conversation simulation, such as:
🗣 Providing feedback: „How would you give constructive feedback to a team member who made a mistake?”
🗣 Problem-solving: „Imagine a team member is struggling to meet a deadline. How would you approach the situation?”

Assess whether the candidate can communicate difficult messages politely and how they handle negotiations and expressing opinions.

6️⃣ Active Listening

During the conversation, observe whether the candidate:
🎧 Listens attentively to your questions
🎧 Responds directly to the content of the question
🎧 Paraphrases or summarizes key points

7️⃣ Mini Writing Tasks

For roles that require written communication, consider requesting:
✍ A short business email (e.g., a thank-you note after an interview)
✍ A job posting draft

Pay attention to clarity, grammar, punctuation, and professionalism in tone.

Assessing soft language skills is crucial, as effective communication is fundamental in any people-oriented role. By using well-prepared questions and tasks, you can gain deeper insights into whether a candidate will thrive in an international work environment. 😊