“Competency based interviews are commonly used method of assessing the suitability of a candidate for a role. It seeks to predict future performance based on an understanding of the actions taken in the past. Usually an interviewer will describe a situation which will allow you to demonstrate abilities that are key to the role on offer”
In our experience the key competencies required for any career move and that can be demonstrated at any level are:-
Leadership: – The action of leading or motivating a group of people or organisation towards a common goal, or having the ability to do this.
Typical Questions:– What are the three most important values to demonstrate as a leader? Give an example of a time you felt you led by example. What did you do and how did others react?
Decision Making :- The ability to make the right decision.
Typical Questions:- Give an example of a problem you were faced with where there was more than one solution? Give an example where you have made a decision under pressure? How would you cope with a manager changing their mind about a task they have set you?
Career Motivation:- Regardless of age or current role, what is it that drives you to do the role that you currently do and what is your aspiration for the future.
Typical Questions:- What motivated you to make a move from your previous roles? What career success have you witnessed that have inspired you? What has motivated you to apply to this role? this company? Can you give an example of when you have felt most motivated in your career?
Organisation / Prioritisation:- The ability to time manage yourself or team in an effective manner. Deciding which tasks should be handled in what order, understanding how to use time effectively to achieve desired result.
Typical Questions:- Describe a time when you felt stressed or overwhelmed. How did you handle it? What was the stress factor? How do you determine what amount of time is reasonable for a task? Tell me about your current role, how do you organise yourself? what is your plan?
Results Orientation:- Focused on achieving the goal/purpose rather than concentrating on how the tasks are done.
Typical Questions:- How do you determine if people aren’t successful? Tell me about a time when you have set and achieved a goal?
Communication: The ability to ensure that the correct information is passed on to the relevant people in a clear and concise manner.
Typical Questions:– Give examples of how your communication has been important in delivering company objectives? What form of communication is your preferred method? Give an example of where it was important to communicate effectively?
Responsibility:- What you are accountable for?
Typical Questions:- Tell me about your current roles job requirements? What do you have to report on and how often? How do you deal with situations where something has gone wrong?
Adaptability:- Adaptability:- The quality of being able to adjust to new conditions and the capacity to be modified for a new use or purpose.
Typical Questions:- How do you adjust to changes you have no control over? Describe a time you were assigned new tasks (for example due to job enrichment or promotion) How did you adapt?
When answering competency based questions the STAR approach is widely accepted to be the best way to structure your answers to any competency question.
Situation:- The Interviewer wants you think of a recent situation or challenge
Task:- What were you required to achieve?
Action:- What did you do?
Results:– What was the outcome of of your action?
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