Competency based Interviews (Just hate them)

Running_On_Empty

Why not use STAR technique, (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to give examples from family life if you don't have the appropriate experience in work? Pretty much all of the competencies can be found in a typical home... teamwork, communication, project management, delegating, conflict management.

Stylehutz

custardy wrote: »

Tip i got from one interviewer.
make up cards with examples for generic questions as Stylehutz has posted.
Take these into interview with you and choose the best one for your answer that fits closest.

Nice idea, but I don't think it looks very professional

goldsounds wrote: »

I have three competencies based interviews coming up this week.
One with Civil Service and two with a private company.
I follow the STAR method to answer each question.

Well that's the point of the whole thread. I don't follow STAR as I just can't do it. Can't give enough examples and if I can my mind just goes blank.

pinpin wrote: »

Really? Jeez. I can hardly answer any of the 'easy' 12 you quoted!
What job was it you went for? I'm assuming it a professional role where a degree is a pre-requisite?

Just for a laugh, why don't you write down some of the questions you were asked so that I can laugh at myself trying to imagine what on earth i'd say in the interview! lol

No roles were for 2 temporary low end jobs in the public sector and for a clerical assistant with a prestigious motor vehicle manufacturer

Stylehutz

pinpin wrote: »

Really? I can answer maybe 2 of those questions.
I think these types of interviews are only aimed at graduates going for high-flying extremely well-paid jobs or people who are already managers etc.
I don't know why they are seeping through into interviews for people looking for cleaning work!

You and me are on the same wavelength. Could not agree more with your take on things

Running_On_Empty

STAR is just a way of structuring your answer, that's all. It helps so you don't just ramble on or freeze up.

custardy

pinpin wrote: »

Really? I can answer maybe 2 of those questions.
I think these types of interviews are only aimed at graduates going for high-flying extremely well-paid jobs or people who are already managers etc.
I don't know why they are seeping through into interviews for people looking for cleaning work!

Stylehutz wrote: »

Taken from your post this is a set of 12 easier based competency questions. Mine were harder than that.


1. Tell me about how you worked effectively under pressure.
in life you must have worked under some form of pressure
2. How do you handle a challenge? Give an example.
never had any challenge in life?
3. Have you ever made a mistake? How did you handle it?
never made a mistake in work? if not use a life example
4. Give an example of a goal you reached and tell me how you achieved it.
goal in work? life,education etc
5. Describe a decision you made that wasn't popular and how you handled implementing it.
always good for a management position,however if not a work example then use life.
6. Give an example of how you set goals and achieve them.
this can be work,education ,fitness etc
7. Give an example of how you worked on team.
doesnt have to be work based
8
. What do you do if you disagree with someone at work?
well everyone disagrees even on a personal level at least
9. Share an example of how you were able to motivate employees or co-workers.
okay tricky if you are in a basic level job I admit. however this could even be at a basic level on keeping a staff room tidy etc
10. Have you handled a difficult situation? How?
everyone can answer this
11 When you worked on multiple projects how did you prioritize?
this depends on your job admittedly but could draw on studying longside working for example.
12 Give an example of a goal you didn’t meet and how you handled it.
again everyone has worked to goals in life at some point.


If I was asked these off the top of my head at the next interview I would be able to answer only 1,2,3 7 and 11, the rest I would be struggling on

Think around the question and draw on your own life/experiences

Stylehutz

pinpin wrote: »

Really? Jeez. I can hardly answer any of the 'easy' 12 you quoted!
What job was it you went for? I'm assuming it a professional role where a degree is a pre-requisite?

Just for a laugh, why don't you write down some of the questions you were asked so that I can laugh at myself trying to imagine what on earth i'd say in the interview! lol

Okay here is a selection, all I stumbled on but I gave answers although be it pathetic


1) an example when you came up with a bright idea in the workplace


2) A time you had to act against company policy in the workplace and why


3) A time where you asked for help as your workload was excessive and how did you go about it



4) A time you had to act against change in the workplace


Maybe easy for some but at the time you have to think on your feet. I know if I get the same questions again I will give better answers. We all know though that you will not get the same questions again and a completely different lot

Stylehutz

Running_On_Empty wrote: »

Why not use STAR technique, (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to give examples from family life if you don't have the appropriate experience in work? Pretty much all of the competencies can be found in a typical home... teamwork, communication, project management, delegating, conflict management.

Mine have all asked about situations in the workplace. Next time I will clarify if I can answer questions that aren't work related

pinpin

for the 12 questions, I would have nothing in terms of 'work' experience.
Never worked in any sort of pressure. Or had any 'challenges'. Never in a position to make 'unpopular decisions'. Can't remember any disagreements with people at work or even many mistakes if i'm honest! (hard to make too many mistakes with unskilled manual labour!)

Now, I'd possibly be able to come up with *some* answers if I use things from personal life. (I had a good row with an ex-girlfriend once so I guess I could use that for 'a time i had a disagreement with someone'!! )
Although, even then, i'd never be able to think of example on the spot. I'd have to think for a few days and email them my answers! lol

custardy

pinpin wrote: »

for the 12 questions, I would have nothing in terms of 'work' experience.
Never worked in any sort of pressure. Or had any 'challenges'. Never in a position to make 'unpopular decisions'. Can't remember any disagreements with people at work or even many mistakes if i'm honest! (hard to make too many mistakes with unskilled manual labour!)

Now, I'd possibly be able to come up with *some* answers if I use things from personal life. (I had a good row with an ex-girlfriend once so I guess I could use that for 'a time i had a disagreement with someone'!! )
Although, even then, i'd never be able to think of example on the spot. I'd have to think for a few days and email them my answers! lol

yup,depending on the job and experience it will shape your responses.
I have interviewed staff with little work experience. So of course you give leeway with that and (to a degree) coach them to draw on a life experience if they are struggling/giving a poor work based example

System

I tend to mix my answers up, some i can relate to work experience (dealing with difficult customers etc) others i use my time on my degree to answer them (working in a group/delegating work). I tend to have gone over the same answers so many times they are stuck in my head now.