Which core interviewing skill involves listening and paraphrasing to show understanding?

• A. Reflective listening
• B. Open-ended questioning
• C. Affirmations
• D. Summaries

Answer: (A)

Reflective listening involves actively listening and paraphrasing what the speaker has said to show you understand both the content and the emotion behind it. By restating in your own words, you confirm accuracy and demonstrate empathy, helping the speaker feel heard and encouraging more openness. For example, if someone says they’re overwhelmed by their workload and worried about missing something, you might respond, “It sounds like you’re feeling overwhelmed by what you have on your plate and concerned about missing something important.” This real-time reflection clarifies meaning and builds trust. Open-ended questioning invites more detail but doesn’t typically involve paraphrasing; affirmations are short positive reinforcements that don’t restate content; summaries recap main points, usually at a pause or end, rather than continually paraphrasing during the conversation.