DWP Recruiting Again - 2012

[Deleted User]

claire0710 wrote: »

So glad I came across this thread! I have my interview on Friday. My competency scores were good (7,8,8,8,6) so I'm feeling OK about my examples.
I'll be taking notes with me as its impossible to remember everything, especially when put on the spot!
Quick few questions to those who've already done it:
1/ On the competency framework there is one for Analysing, Improving and Changing - this didn't appear on the application form so am I right in presuming I won't be questioned on this?
2/ The framework has bullet points for example: Delivering a customer focused service - responding to customer needs (a) . However, on the detailed framework there are several more bullet points under 'responding to customer needs' such as 'promoting new and flexible ways of delivering service' (b) - what I'm trying to establish is whether the questions will relate to the overall bullet point (a) or individual ones under that heading (b)?
Hope that makes sense??!

1. you are right, you wont be asked about this one.

2. The chances are the question will relate to one of the main bullet points, however for your example to be really strong it would be expected for you to touch on most of the small sub bullet points across the whole of that specific competency. Dont stress too much if you cant tick them all, some of them are really specific (like mentioning diversity or finance) which a lot of people wouldnt have. You should still be able to meet a lot of them though.

Erazor

Karins wrote: »

No don't do that you need to tick as many indicators for the whole competency as you can, if you have good examples they should cover the whole competency so it doesn't matter whether they ask for an example where you communicated with impact or an example where you developed your teams skills and knowledge as you can't do one without the other so your example should cover these and working collaboratively.

Thanks man that cleared my head too, talking about the whole competency regardless of the question it is then!

Would still appreciate if anyone can answer this question (link below, little arrow button)

Erazor wrote: »

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[Deleted User]

Erazor wrote: »

I see but this one situation thing is still confusing me.

Take [FONT=&quot]Managing People and Performance [/FONT]as an example here.

If I put the situation as my time selling on eBay and then outlined the things I did within my business over a long period of time that started to tick the competency box's would this be ok or would it be wrong?

That would be fine! You are talking about a specific situation and how you did things. Its only if you started talking about lots of situations that would be moving away from what is being looked for. Remember, lots of detail about HOW you did things, WHY you did it and what the outcome was.

STAR is just one version of a few different ways of answering competency questions, but they all end up as the same thing.

redsky1977

sherrilou wrote: »

Yahoo Just checked my interview scores and i got 77778 am over the moon with these:j, and fingers crossed i get on a list of some sort.

Good luck to all those at interview or awaiting scores

Sherrilou

Excellent scores sherrilou! Well done! You deserve to be over the moon! :T

Erazor

camelot1971 wrote: »

That would be fine! You are talking about a specific situation and how you did things. Its only if you started talking about lots of situations that would be moving away from what is being looked for. Remember, lots of detail about HOW you did things, WHY you did it and what the outcome was.

STAR is just one version of a few different ways of answering competency questions, but they all end up as the same thing.

Thanks, really appreciate it, phew I was Panicking it that I had got it all wrong...

greenberet1990

hi

just got a interview for N.london.

quick question, you know the Pensions Questionnaire; is this only for internal candidates?

thanks

[Deleted User]

ehazard2012 wrote: »

Hi, all this information is great, could i just clarify a few things, or get some advice on whether i am understanding all this:

you say in theory they could ask "name a time you communicate effectivly"

now if im asked a question like this, should i try and cover all the bullet points under the sub heading "communicating with impact" with makes up part of the building capability competencey.

so in theory my answer would include elements of the 4 bullet points (checking information was accurate, communicated it clearly and concisely, confirmed that it had the intended effect and communicated it to only those that it concerned)

If what i said above is correct does it mean that for each of the 5 competencies there could be a question relating to each of the sub headings under that competency and if this is the case then 2 examples from each sub heading which covers most bullet points will have to be memorised

Yes, you should try and "hit" all the mini bullet points under each sub heading in the competency. You should also be able to hit a lot of the other bullet points under that competency too.

I know this sounds tough, however with a good example you should be able to hit a lot. You can substitute DWP for your company so dont worry if it mentions DWP specifically. Some examples can be outside of work completely, ive heard some excellent examples that are completely non work related.

Dont try and make stuff up though to hit all the points - interviewers are good at spotting it and will ask follow up questions that will catch you out

vindallou

vwgirl wrote: »

woohoo- just checked and my interview feeback is on = 8787 really pleased! Just have to wait and see what place on waiting list is now x

WELL DONE :j YOU MUST BE DELIGHTED :beer: :T

vindallou

Erazor wrote: »

Ok so I am assuming that if I was asked about Integrity in the leadership comp, I should cut it short and explain only the intergrity part of my competency that I had prepared, rather then talk about the whole competency that would also contain the integrity part.

Correct?

Edit:
Come to think of it I will probably just end up talking about the whole thing as its recommended to build the scenarios, actions, results and benefits. Wont be able to fill all those out on integrity alone lol.

You would use a whole competence but adapt your answer in your result. If you use the STAR technique you really cant go wrong.

[Deleted User]

Erazor wrote: »

Thanks man that cleared my head too, talking about the whole competency regardless of the question it is then!

Would still appreciate if anyone can answer this question (link below, little arrow button)

Just remember to listen to the question and then answer it.

Too many people try to fit their example to the competency and totally ignore the question, and then when asked to actually answer the question they freeze or panic!

As mentioned, a good example will fit a lot of places in that competency however a lot of examples will be really strong on a specific part of that competency and tick some boxes around that.

Ideally, you should try and have 2-3 examples per competency. i know thats a lot, but if you come at each competency from a couple of angles it should help you answer almost any question thrown at you.