competency based interview

ooter

just got word that i have a competency based interview in 12 days time, the preparation starts now. what i was wondering is, should i stick solely to the competencies and preparing some work based scenarios in my head or would it be a good idea to prepare a few from everyday life also?
are they likely to even ask me or be interested in anything to do with my everyday life (hobbies etc) or will they stick to my previous jobs and the competencies?
also should i bother devoting any time to reading up further on the company and it's history?
i haven't had an interview for almost 10 years so any advice would be greatly appreciated..

username123

I found a site with good info for this recently:
http://www.brightwater.ie/career-planning/Competency-Based-Interviews.aspx

Id definitely read up a bit on the company - you dont need to have a massive level of detail, just a good overview imo. No harm to have everyday life scenarios ready also.

Best of luck!

chris85

ooter wrote: »

just got word that i have a competency based interview in 12 days time, the preparation starts now. what i was wondering is, should i stick solely to the competencies and preparing some work based scenarios in my head or would it be a good idea to prepare a few from everyday life also?
are they likely to even ask me or be interested in anything to do with my everyday life (hobbies etc) or will they stick to my previous jobs and the competencies?
also should i bother devoting any time to reading up further on the company and it's history?
i haven't had an interview for almost 10 years so any advice would be greatly appreciated..

Dont rule out using things like hobbies but I would generally use situations which have happened in work or in college primarily. But if there is a good situation outside of work which would be adequate then give it a go.

Doom

What area is job in, Engineering, financial, etc.
This may help get the right info to you

ooter

thanks a lot for the replies lads.

Cute Hoor

If at all possible your examples should be work based. You will most likely be interviewed only on the competencies listed. However there is a possibility that you will get an easing in question like 'Well ooter what have you been doing recently', this gives you an opportunity to hit them with a 2/3 minute speech about yourself, what you do and relevant interests. This should be very high level, clear and concise. It is also an opportunity to throw in a sprat in the hope that they might ask you for more info on a topic you would like to be questioned on. It is worthwhile writing this little speech out, it's amazing how many people make a total balls-up of a simple question like that. Don't waffle of course. In your preparation for the competency based questions I would suggest using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) methodology, it will structure your answers making it easier for you to deliver, but more importantly make it easier for the interviewers to understand, your answers, write out your responses again of course. Using this methodology should also minimise waffle. Your examples should be as high impact as possible obviously.

I like your attitude of preparing now (12 days in advance), fail to prepare, prepare to fail. The very best of luck with it!

starlit

Usually for this type of interview the 'STAR' technique 'situation, task, action, result be outcome - approach' to giving examples either to previous work experience and college projects relevant to the role. Transferable skills are handy to state too that be relevant to the role. have questions and answers prepared for possible competency/behaviour/situation/dilemma type questions. They might ask give me an example when you worked in a team. Things like that.

If you give an example of a project outline key points not just what you did but what did other people on your team do. They emphatise over team work rather than individual but do state if you did projects in a group or on your own.

Just giving you my advice of experience of these types of interviews. Have good solid examples 3 good ones aprox have 4 or 5 just in case. Best of luck!

Cute Hoor

Be very careful when answering questions that you use 'I' rather than 'We'. If I hear someone using 'We' I have no way of knowing what you did (if anything) as part of the team or project. At the end of the day the interviewer(s) want to know what you will be bringing to their table, your teammates aren't in for the job.

macsauce

I would personally use a mix of examples from work, college & extra curricular activities. It gives the interviewer a more rounded view of who you are and that you are adaptable.

If you have an interview then they know you're qualified. Now they want to establish if you are a right fit for them; the interview questions are there to frame this opinion of you.

I would agree, to an extent, with Cute Hoor. They want to know what YOU did but don't pretend you did way more than you actually did or take credit for other people's work. They don't expect you to have cured cancer, they want to know you can work as a team, to a shared goal and contribute something.

Best of luck