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Competency-based interviews

Competency-based interviews (also referred to as a skills-based, situational or behavioural interview) work on the premise that evidence of past performance is a valid indicator of future performance within a similar role.

The majority of organisations now employ some sort of competency framework, asking competency-based questions and using competencies as their preferred selection method.

Preparing for competency based interviews

Competency based interview questions will ask for specific examples of prior experience. The most important part of preparing for a competency based interview is to go through the competencies that may be questioned, and think examples of your related experiences.

Think through your experiences in terms of STAR:

Situation
Task
Action
Result

The answer that you provide must relate to a specific example within your experience and you should always aim to use the most recent experience that you can.

For example, an interviewer assessing for the competency "teamwork" might ask the following question:

"Tell me about a situation where you needed to work as a team to achieve a positive outcome?"

The answer should include a description of what happened, the approach you took and the outcome. Once you have provided an answer, follow up questions will be asked to drill down into the specific detail. Examples of these include:

"What was your specific role?"
"What could you have done differently?"
"How did the outcome affect your company?"

If you have any specific questions on this area of interviewing, please do not hesitate to contact your consultant.

Competency-based interview questions

Here are some more common competency-based interview questions to help you think through some examples. Remember to use the STAR structure!

Influencing or Persuading Others

Tell me about a time when you were able to significantly change someone’s point of view.
Tell me about a time when you were asked to do something that you disagreed with.

Interpersonal and Team Skills

What skills and personal qualities have you contributed to the teams you have been part of?
Tell me about a time when you used tact and diplomacy.
Tell me about the last time you had a disagreement with someone.
What have you disliked in your past jobs?
What kinds of people do you enjoy working with?
What kinds of people frustrate you?
What qualities do you admire most in others?

Communication Skills

Tell me about a time when you were successful in getting crucial information from another person.
Tell me about a time when someone misunderstood what you were attempting to communicate to them.

Personal Adaptability, Energy and Resilience

Tell me about a time when your work or an idea was criticised.
Tell me about a time when you felt under pressure.
Tell me about a time when you felt frustrated by your work.

Self-management, Self-motivation and Self-knowledge

Tell me about a time when you acted over and above the expectations of your role.
What does “success” mean to you?
What does “failure” mean to you?
Tell me about a major problem you have encountered and how you dealt with it?