Competency Based 'Interview' Questions

b-b-b

Got an interview tomorrow and I've benn told it's a 'competency based question interview'.

I was wondering if anyone from a HR background on here would know what the most common asked 'competency based questions' are when interviewing?

I did Google, but I was hoping someone from a HR/ Recruitment background on here might know a good resource for the most common obviously not the answers - because there are none lol. - Joke.

Thanks.

fengirl_2

Competency based interviews concentrate on finding out whether the candidate has the skills for the particular job. there are no set questions as it depends on what the job entails. The panel would be looking for you to give examples of when you have done certain things which the job involves. For instance, if one of the competancies is 'ability to write reports', you would be expected to give examples of the types of reports you have written and for whom. If you refer to the person specification which came with the job info pack, you wll see the kind of things they might ask.
They won't (or shouldnt) be asking you silly things like 'what are your hobbies'.

b-b-b

Hey Fengirl, thanks for the summary :beer:

Let me ask a quick question - I've just been looking over Competency Based Questions on the web, mostly questions that would be most common to my field of work and I've answered these questions by writing a summary for each question.

I don't know if you come from a HR background or whatever but in you’re opinion if you was a conducting a 'Competency Based Question' interview how would feel if I said 'Is it okay I've made some notes and have them in front of me during in the interview' - Or words to that fact.

Basically there’s just to much remember and I'm trying to gauge if it would be a good idea if I had written notes in front me? I can’t see it being a terrible mistake most HR interviewers have notes I don't see how it would look unprofessional?

Opinions?

Apolonation

I went for an interview for a civil service job recently which was comeptency based and was told I could use notes if I wanted. I didn't however as when I was practicing with my sister prior to the interview I found I had a tendency to start reading from the notes... I was so afraid of doing this I decided to just not rely on the notes at all.

My advice would be to think of the types of questions they are going to ask you. Write answers for them, then practice giving those answers over for a bit until you can give most off the cuff.

You may find the STAR pattern useful for answering competency based questions (situation, task action, result) - if you can move from explaining the situation, the tasks then explaining your actions and what the results were for every question this should keep you well on track.

Also think of any buzz words / topics that you think important to your interview and bear these in mind.

Above all just shine I can't remember the author that once said 'what you are shouts so loudly that I can't hear what you say' or something along those lines but I always think of this when being interviewed. If you're comfortable your natural character will shine through.

Good luck!

Spirit_2

Most competency based questions are looking for you to give examples from your experience and are often framed “tell me about a time when you..............”


E.g
· Worked in a team
· Lead a ...........team
· Dealt with ................an angry client/customer
· Developed a ...............strategy/budget/business case
· Dealt with..............an emergency
· Built a....
· Prepared a ..........
· Cared for....

Your answers should include
· The situation
· Who was involved
· What you did (action/technique applied/planned)
· What happened/the outcome
· What you learned/would do differently


The examples can be from work or life/social examples (e.g. you may be a sole practitioner in your job, but chair the PTA/run a badminton club/run a brownie pack).


It would be OK if you brought notes into an interview, although I am not sure how the notes will help you. You can either speak knowledgeably or not.

If a question asks about something you have never done – explain this and then using the answer plan above say however based on your training/experience/degree you would tackle this emphasising – consulting manager/colleagues/other branch about how they do it.

Let us know how it goes
Good Lck

Spirit

b-b-b

Yeah Apolonation I would be concerned with reading off the list, but having thought about it, for me - just having the list will remind me of what to say without having to read through too much :eek: I wrote it anyway so I should remember lol.

I just wanted my notes for tricky questions like strengths and weaknesses and all that !!!! that doesn't really apply but we hav to pretend it does so HR can get the 9-1-1 on you and then say no. lol :rotfl:

fengirl_2

I am not in HR, but have a lot of practical experience of recruitment. If you take notes in with you, are you sure you are going to be able to find the answer to the question you have been asked quickly, or are you going to be looking through sheafs of paper?

terra_ferma

Hello B-B-B
Don't assume you can use notes. Why not ask, if your interview is not first thing, HR are normally happy to help (if they know the answer). In my line of work (non-profit sector) we use competency based interviewes, but it's not customary for candidates to use notes and requests would be turned down.

Here's some info about competency based interviews:
http://jobs.telegraph.co.uk/recent-career-articles-detail.aspx?wnws_id=150
http://www.wikijob.co.uk/wiki/competency-based-questions

Example of competencies that they will test (they will depend on the job, of course)
CUSTOMER SERVICE: Provides a high quality, efficient and reliable customer service. Is flexible and responsive. Gives high priority to customer satisfaction.
PERSONAL QUALITIES: Has a positive approach to work, working flexibly, willingly and co-operatively. Is trustworthy. Accepts responsibility for own actions, is pro-active and self-staring. Uses own initiative where appropriate, is receptive to new ideas and improved ways of working. Maintains appropriate behaviour at all times. Communicates clearly both verbally and in writing. Listens actively and carefully to what others say. Accepts change and is positive in adopting improved working methods.
PLANNING: Has a tidy work area and systematic approach. Is aware of Timescales for elements of work or seeks guidance.Plans ahead to ensure meets agreed deadlines for elements of work. Updates records and makes notes to keep
colleagues informed.

GOOD LUCK!

Philippa36

jimmo wrote: »

If you don’t mind a bit of old fashioned advice it used to be said in my day that the interview was decided by the time you sat in the chair. Certainly in my case both as an interviewee and an interviewer there was a bit of a distance from the door to the chair, and locking back, I really think that was the key.
As an interviewer, I found the immediate impression as the person walked into the room was most important but after I looked at the person the next thing I looked at was the shoes. Well polished oldish shoes were far more impressive than brand new ones

If you are dressed nicely, without going over the top, and walk into the interview room confidently you will tick so many boxes.
When you sit in the chair that is also important. Men and women are different but my general advice to both is to park your bum as far back in the chair as possible. In that way you cannot slouch.
Competence based interviews are outside my personal experience but I rather feel that if you fail to make the right impression initially you will have lost your chance before you open your mouth.

I appreciate what you're saying but I disagree that he will have won or lost the job before (s)he's even answered a question!

I've been to a couple of competency based interviews and taken notes in with me. More with 'buzz words' than written out scripts! Just to give me a reminder if I have a blank moment

Zazen999

Philippa36 wrote: »

I appreciate what you're saying but I disagree that he will have won or lost the job before (s)he's even answered a question!

I've been to a couple of competency based interviews and taken notes in with me. More with 'buzz words' than written out scripts! Just to give me a reminder if I have a blank moment

I don't - it forms the fundamental building blocks of the interview......and as humans we cannot help but make decisions on people. It's very rare to not be impressed with someone in the first few minutes and then during the interview to completely change your mind - whereas if they are impressive they can lose it during the interview with their attitude/answers etc.

If I was interviewing in a competency based interview, and the person was reading from the notes, I'd either ask more deeper probing questions to get to a point that WASN'T in the notes - or to ask them to put them down and answer for themselves - or be a bit more devilish and ask more difficult questions about aspects of the job that may not be in the notes.

Part of the interview process is seeing your thought process and body language whilst you are being interviewed - having notes in front of you makes you look as if you are being a bit too clever, and pre-empted. So, unless you can explain that you have the notes for a reason, and that's how you work, and the interviewers believe you, it might stand against you.

Philippa36

Depending on where you're being interviewed - council etc based positions are recruiting on very strict guidelines, they don't discriminate on what the interviewee is wearing or the colour of their shoes.