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Competency based interview

OK when you apply for a job you give examples of things they want like say Team working.

In the interview the ask you to elaborate on this and ask you questions about your examples. To pressure you and test your veracity.

Its tougher than it looks.
 
Yes. Basically it means that the interviewers questions should test you so that you can demonstrate that you have all the relevant competencies for the job (the competencies should of course have been stated in the information they sent you about it). The questions should only be about things that you have done, in order to test your experience and skills - they should NOT ask you theoretical or hypothetical questions like 'what would you do if...?'
 
yeah i've done this a few times. demonstrating theory that i know and how it might relate to something relevant to the job description. also presenting a presentation for mock patients etc - or doing role play exercises to a mock group of patients to show that i had prepared enough for it and had the skills to actually undertake something that would come up in the job. one thing i learnt was that it is actually *easier* than i anticipated - that is, read the job description, read the job description, read the job description, read the job desciption. they're usually not trying to trick you.

good luck with it.
 
I think it looks like a fair system is not so different for 'normal interviews' I have just gone through a list of questions and written answers so hopefully I will remember.

One of the questions is What do you least like about your current job.. I'm finding this one difficult (believe it or not)
 
# Describe a time when a colleague or friend has annoyed you.
# Have you ever had to modify your approach to take account of someone else's views?
# Can you recall a time where you have needed to offer constructive feedback to a friend or colleague?
 
liberty said:
# Describe a time when a colleague or friend has annoyed you.
# Have you ever had to modify your approach to take account of someone else's views?
# Can you recall a time where you have needed to offer constructive feedback to a friend or colleague?
Click to expand...
# Not making me a cup of tea. Ever
# No
# "Do I have to do it by myself?"

In the next interview.....

# Yes, but clashes will occur in the normal course of events
# Yes, because the work had higher priorities than my feelings
# Yes, but it's important to get your point across without causing resentment.
 
I've been doing a few interviews lately, plus we're recruiting in my current job. The thing that stands out the most is having to give actual examples, rather than just saying that you can do something or are capable in a certain area. I find it helps to look at the original JD and write examples in of each section that you can refer to in the interview. If it's a public sector job, they are legally bound to ask all applicants the same set of questions, each one based on the selection criteria. They're usually going to refer to stuff like how you manage others, team building, how you cope with conflict/stress, as well as the actual bits of what you'll be doing in the job.

I don't know if this is helpful at all, but good luck anyway :)
 
Thanks for that it is generally what I do and have always found it important. The job is not in the public sector but I have run through the questions and have done everything they require so we will have to see.

Not a great start from the agency as they have said they have already interviewed someone they really like but I will give it a shot
 
I once worked for a large European IT company who sponsored me for a mba. As part of this I was given by my firm management type training which, oddly enough is why I left I’m not the bossy type and never wanted to be a manager. The point being I spent about a week getting trained in the silly competency based interviews. My tip would be if this is an internally applied position try and track down someone who has interviewed they’ll be able to tell you exactly what it required and you’ll pretty much be able to script the perfect interview, which is my criticism of the system.

If not don’t be fooled into think it’s just a scenario based thing e.g. # Describe a time when a colleague or friend has annoyed you.
For example one of the competencies could be demonstrating team work, the things they would expect you to demonstrate would be along the lines of; leading a team, dealing with conflicting views, building consensus, demonstrated goal setting, identifying people’s strengths and developing them etc.

This type of interview is very easy to fail if you don’t prepare, because the interviewer has a check list this tick off as you ring the bells of each competency – another IHMO weakness. But don’t worry the clues should be in the job advert if it mentions things like coaching list everything you – and your mates - think a good coach should have an construct a yarn around those attributes. I know several people that knew what the competencies where and make up a large pile of bullshit to pass the interview.

You can always contact the HR department and ask them what competencies are.
 
It's bollocks. I've done a course in competency based interviewing (but have never interviewed).

Just consider that there are tick boxes in front of the interviewers. What they are looking for is not so much interviewing skills or ability to convinsingly wax lyrically on a host of hypothetical scenarios. Rather they want concrete examples of 'competencies' = skills. They will have a list of competencies required for the job (these should have been alluded to in the advert). It is no good saying 'I learn quickly' if a competence is that you should pick up new skills. You should give an example or two of your succesfully learning new skills.

In each example you need to demonstrate that you were successful and what your criteria for success was. e.g. I learnt to pluck a live chicken in two days. I knew I'd done a good job because the chicken was completely bald and my boss said he had never seen such a well plucked chicken and was very impressed with how quickly I had learned to pluck.

So concrete examples not hypothetical bullshit.

It is of course all bullshit. Just go armed with concrete examples for each attrbute the job requires and watch as they reel off your cues one after the other and tick their tick boxes. :D

Edit to add, I was coming down when I interviewed a mock candidate and I kinda faded out and didn't know if she'd demonstrated owt so I ticked the boxes anyway. :)
 
Well I did it, it was a bit weird so now will have to wait and see. There were not many structured questions though :confused:
 
nice one liberty! i did a competancy based interview the other day. it was the best interview i've ever done - i think they are easier to prepare for because you pretty much know what's coming up.

however, the second interview wasn't competancy based at all. so be careful with that one. prepare for every eventuality. and good luck! :D
 
I did prepare for it.. I thought it went well but that means nothing when you don't know who your up against.. I wish I would find out one way or the other :)
 
i've got one of these coming up on tuesday. for the police :eek: but it's really well paid for round here...

i had to write a load of detailed examples in the application form for things like teamwork, organising things and 'respect for race and diversity' (that one was tricky). will they ask me more about my examples, or about things i didn't demonstrate enough of in my form? i hope they ask me about the examples i gave, cos i didn't actually have to make anything up.
 
Portia said:
i've got one of these coming up on tuesday. for the police :eek: but it's really well paid for round here...

i had to write a load of detailed examples in the application form for things like teamwork, organising things and 'respect for race and diversity' (that one was tricky). will they ask me more about my examples, or about things i didn't demonstrate enough of in my form? i hope they ask me about the examples i gave, cos i didn't actually have to make anything up.
Click to expand...
I've done the same thing (interview by Met). What position are you going for if you don't mind me asking? They asked me a few questions about the examples I'd given in my application form but also chucked a few more 'competencies' at me. It's not too hard though I do remember getting stuck on one question and umming and erring for quite a while. Still, I passed the interview so can't have been that bad :)
 
Sounds very positive Libs. Hope there's a big resounding 'yes' winging its way to your door. What are you interviewing for, if you don't mind me asking..?

I'm applying for a new job, in the same company, but it's a complete side step. I expect an interview within the next couple of weeks - I haven't been for interview in @ 9/10 years or so. Quite a scary prospect :eek:
 
waverunner said:
I've done the same thing (interview by Met). What position are you going for if you don't mind me asking? They asked me a few questions about the examples I'd given in my application form but also chucked a few more 'competencies' at me. It's not too hard though I do remember getting stuck on one question and umming and erring for quite a while. Still, I passed the interview so can't have been that bad :)
Click to expand...

it's an admin job in the town police station. i had to go and do a typing test on thursday, and i passed that. i'm a bit worried about what they might chuck at me cos i haven't got much experience of work. almost all of my examples came from college or other stuff i've done. i think they'll probably give the job to someone who's worked in offices for years. i'm really surprised i've got this far- thought this job was way out of my league.
 
Portia said:
it's an admin job in the town police station. i had to go and do a typing test on thursday, and i passed that. i'm a bit worried about what they might chuck at me cos i haven't got much experience of work. almost all of my examples came from college or other stuff i've done. i think they'll probably give the job to someone who's worked in offices for years. i'm really surprised i've got this far- thought this job was way out of my league.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't worry too much. I had absolutely fuck all experience, it was all based on my uni work (MSc specialising in crime prevention). In my examples of competencies I used many from uni and a few just from everyday life. Don't go in there thinking the job's out of your league. I'm sure you know you can do it. All you have to do is prove that to them :) Be confident, and go prepared. Hang on a sec...
Right I'm sure you got a massive application pack but just in case yours is any different (different jobs etc), these are the competencies listed in the pack which you should really think about before the interview:
Respect for diversity
Community and customer focus
Effective communication
Problem solving
Planning and organising
Personal responsibility
Resilience

Oh and I remember one that popped up that I wasn't expecting. 'Tell us about a time when you showed initiative'.
Where do you have to go for the interview? Hendon?
 
i had all of those competencies except reslilience. i just hope theyre looking for someone who can pick things up quickly rather than already knows exactly what they're doing. i've never worked in a proper office before and i don't want to make a twat of myself.

it's in carmarthen- west wales. hence there not being that many decent jobs to choose from!
 
Well have they listed all the duties you will be expected to perform? Can you perform them? I would have thought some training would be given.
 
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