How to answer this interview question?

[interviewQ1]

Please can anyone give me some guidance for this potential interview question. I usually try to STAR my answers but I’m not sure exactly what answer they’re expecting here

”Please describe a time when you have had to establish a relationship with more senior colleagues”

I’m blanking :(

I have had to get ‘sign off’ from senior management, for example sending a report for them to give final approval for audit trail. But I don’t regularly work with them so not sure I can say I have a relationship with them. All I do is make sure my work is accurate, documentation is clearly outlined and sign posted, and then peer reviewed. I do all this to ensure when seniors read my work I’m not wasting their time, adapt to their formal style and it’s then easy for them to approve final version.

Do you think they would want to hear about making an effort to socialise with them, getting to know them outside of work role or is that irrelevant. Because I have attended an optional get to know (manager) meeting before, just to give off good impression when I started my current role.

Definitely not socialising. Doesn’t have to be current job, though. Work on a specific project? Dealing with feedback on the work you submit at the moment?

Have you ever had to present at a senior management/ board meeting, maybe that can be a hook?

Thanks both

im not senior enough to present at board meeting, I wouldn’t be invited

In terms of projects, even then I’m not really working with them. The only time I interact them (professionally) is when getting to sign off on reports. They usually just send a one word answer like ‘approved’ (good day) but very rarely they may request some amendments before approving which I will just quickly action and re-send.
I try to be proactive whenever management have any queries or missing knowledge about things my team are responsible for, I make an effort to help and speak up in meetings but that’s about it for interactions with seniors

Ok, but nobody knows they just have to say 'approved'!

I would just...extrapolate on that a bit. Say that you have built collaborative working relationships with senior people, understanding their needs so that you can deliver on agreed deadlines etc.

Don’t talk about socialising, what they are basically asking is how do you establish relationships to influence.

You’ve said you need to get approval for things from senior colleagues, so what you need to demonstrate in this questions is that you are able to establish yourself as someone who is trusted and respected to make and present informed decisions in order to influence senior decisions.

I would use the phrase in your op - 'adapting to their more formal style'

You could expand this to communicating with various senior managers to ensure the work you provided suited their specific format. This shows you appreciate different ways of working and understand not all people in the same role or on the same level want things delivered in exactly the same way. Shows adaptability, flexibility, integrity and understanding

Is it an internal or external role? If external, your interviewers are not going to know the exact details of your current role anyway

Just make it up ...

They want to see that you understand the priorities of, and the time pressures faced by, more senior colleagues and that you are able to adapt your communication style accordingly.

I think you've covered some of the points in your blurb. You could say you've established a way to communicate effectively, you've tailored your communication approach, you're approachable, open to feedback etc.
Demonstrated an understanding of your role/ responsibilities..that sort of thing. Good luck.

The wording of the question states

with more senior colleagues

it doesn't say Senior Leadership, it just says people who are a higher grade than you.

Emphasize Communication and Proactive Behavior:

Situation: "Although my interactions with senior management are typically limited, I often need their sign-off on key reports."

Task: "I wanted to ensure these interactions were efficient and seamless."

Action: "I took the initiative to communicate early with them regarding deadlines and any critical points they might need to pay attention to in my reports."

Result: "This proactive communication helped me create a smooth workflow and strengthened the professional relationship, making future interactions more straightforward."

@interviewQ1