Competency based Interviews
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Competency based questions require preparation and practice. Click here to see how Surviving Redundancy can help!
What are competency based interviews?
Competency based interviews focus on examining your previous behaviour as an indication of how you would probably perform and interact with others in a new role. Examples can be taken from professional or academic life or even from your interests/hobbies unless stated otherwise.
How do competency based interviews work?
The interviewer may provide a list of competency areas which their questions will be based on beforehand which gives you a chance to prepare thoroughly or they may just bring up the given competencies in the interview. In either case there is a lot of preparation you can do with examples that you can slot into different answers. These examples should reflect you in the best light and cover a wide variety of qualities and achievements which should already be mentioned in your CV.
Examples of topics and specific questions are below. The questions may cover more than one competency area, in which case be careful to include examples which cover all competency areas touched on.
Personality
- How would you describe yourself?
- How would others describe you?
- How could you improve yourself?
- How do you handle criticism?
- Are you accepted into a team quickly?
- Can you act on your own initiative?
Communication
- Give me an example of the most difficult customer situation you had to handle
- Describe a time when you worked in a really effective team
- Give me an example of how you have encouraged other team members to contribute to the discussions or task in hand
- Describe a time when you spotted a potential problem before anyone else did
- Give an example of a time when you have had to communicate a complex idea/message/concept
Team Work
- Describe a time when you worked in a really effective team
- What has been your contribution to teams in the past?
- Give me an example of a time when you had difficulties working with a team
- Give me an example of how you have encouraged other team members to contribute to the discussions or task in hand
Met and/or exceeded expectations
- Describe a time when you worked in a really effective team
- Tell me about a time when you have identified an opportunity and driven it forward to the benefit of the business
- Give me an example when you have regularly initiated action without awaiting direction
- Describe a situation in which you met a target working under significant pressure
Leadership
- Tell me about a large project you have managed
- How do you communicate expectations to staff?
- How do you communicate negative/positive feedback to staff?
- Tell me about how you delegate
- How do you motivate your staff?
- What has your leadership style been in your previous roles?
Motivation
- What are the top three things that have motivated you in your previous roles?
- Give me an example when you have regularly initiated action without awaiting direction
- Tell me how and why you currently schedule your time/ prioritise
- Tell me about a time when you were particularly motivated.
- Tell me how and why you currently schedule your time/ prioritise
Customer/Client Focus
- How have you ensured previous projects met the customer's/client's needs?
- Give me an example of the most difficult customer/client situation you had to handle
- How have you known when you are meeting/not meeting your customer requirements?
- Give me an example of a difficult customer situation you had to handle
- What has been the most difficult customer situation you had to handle?
Failure and conflict
- Tell me about a time when you missed a deadline
- Give me an example when you have found a role particularly stressful
- Give me an example of the most difficult customer situation you had to handle
- Give me an example of a time when you had difficulties working with a team
- Give me an example of when you have submitted an idea to a manager or customer that was rejected
