Copper Coast, County Waterford
What is a competency based interview?
It is an interview designed to test one or more skills or competencies.
The interview panel will have a list of set questions, each focusing on a particular skill, and you are required to provide real life examples as a basis for your answer.
Your answer will then be compared against pre-determined criteria - and scored accordingly.
The interview will start with a short, high level overview of your previous role(s) which are relevant to the position you applied for, followed by competency-based questions. The competencies for each role will be as stated on the role profile. Other assessment methods may also be used e.g., Delivering a Presentation, completing a relevant exercise or Psychometric Tests.
Candidates will be given the opportunity to ask questions or provide additional information at the end of the interview.
How to answer a competency-based question?
You will be asked to give an example of a situation or task that led you to take a course of action.
Probing questions may also be used to determine the course of action you took and how these actions affected others within your team/area.
When answering, it is important to remember that the interview panel wants to know what YOU delivered and achieved, therefore try to avoid the overuse of examples with “we”.
Structuring your answer
A useful way to remember how to structure your answer is to use the mnemonic STAR model.
Situation– describe the situation or problem you were faced with
Task– what did you have to do?
Action– what action(s) did you take and why? What challenges did you face?
Result– what was the outcome?
Wrapping up – at the end of the interview you will be asked if you have any questions. This gives you the opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the role, explain why you applied, and summarise why you would be a good fit for the role. It also gives you a chance to gain a greater understanding of the role.
Tips:
Research the role you have applied for.
Speak with colleagues within that area if appropriate.
Throughout the interview, listen carefully to the questions asked and answer with a specific example. Your answers should demonstrate the key competencies required for the role.
Be concise with your answer. Too many details about people’s names or the finer details of a project may cause confusion and weaken the message you are trying to present.
You can find many additional external resources on Interviewing Skills and Competency Based Interviews online.