“How to answer competency-based interview questions” is not something that easily walks through the minds of every job seeker. However, competency-based interview questions have become standard fare in today’s interviewing. Employers utilize these to assess if a candidate has the skills, knowledge and or behavioural traits required for a role. 

This entails questions that relate to past experiences where you uncover how you have used your competencies against real-world cases. Perfecting how to answer them, can increase your chances of getting the job significantly.

So how do you survive this often tumultuous stage of the interview process? You have to be prepared — structure your pitch — and communicate clearly. This handy guide will cover everything you need to know about competency-based questions, including what they are and how to answer them effectively. Using this strategy, you can answer any question with confidence while leaving a great impression. 

Let’s get started!

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What Is A Competency Based Interview?

Competency-based, questions that assess how you have demonstrated key skills and behaviours in the past. Unlike traditional interviews that would, in general, examine your CV, these questions will look at how you handled particular situations to attempt to predict how you may perform in the future. 

Situations in which your past behaviour can be a strong indicator of how you would face challenges whenever working for them is one core belief of the employer.

Many of these interviews are focused on role-specific core competencies. 

For instance, a project management position would focus heavily on problem-solving, organization and leadership. Realizing these dominions is crucial for performing well in competency-based interviews.

Competencies Employers Look For

Competencies vary across positions but some are common to all:

• Teamwork: Employers want to see if you work well with other people to meet new goals.
• Good communication: Communication is an essential component of most professions.
• Solving Problems: This skill set demonstrates how you handle situations and implement solutions.
• Leadership: Even if you are not a manager, being able to inspire and influence others is one of the most important skills anyone can build.
• Adaptability: One attribute employers search for the most is resilience and flexibility when faced with ever-changing situations.
• Decision-making: Sound judgment and confident decision-making often separate the top candidates from the pack.

The STAR Technique

STAR is the best way to structure your answers to competency-based questions. It keeps your response on structure, to the point and powerful. Here’s how it works:

S: Situation —

 Explain the scenario or background of your story. Be concise but specific.

Explain task:

As an event manager Ausschweif director, What were the results that you had to deliver?

Action: 

Explain the steps that you took to address it. Write about what you did, not the team.

Write the End Result If possible, quantify your results and share what you have learnt.

It forces your answers to be logical and extensive enough for the interviewer to follow along with your thought process.

Getting Ready: Preparation Is the Secret to Success

How to Prepare For Competency-Based Interviews 

Here’s how to get ready:

1. Go through the Job Description: Recognise what skills are most important to the employer. These are sometimes stated outright or inferred from the job posting itself. Review Your experience in any previous roles, internships, or projects where you exhibited these skills.
2. Choose strong examples: Pick examples that highlight your skills and are relevant for the job.
3. Practice STAR: Prepare answers for common questions and use the STAR structure.
4. Expect The Combinations: Some questions might combine multiple competencies or ask you to talk about a failure. Stay flexible.

Competency-Based Questions and Answers Examples

1. Describe a situation when you solved an issue in a team.

Situation: 

At my last job, I was doing a group project, and two teammates disagreed on what approach we should take with the presentation. You are the team lead for a high-visibility project. 

Task: 

You had to play peacekeeper for the team to make sure it got back on track.

Action: 

I set up a time for all of us to sit down and discuss. A good discussion and listening to all sides, the pros and cons of each approach. In the end, we took the best parts from both concepts.

Outcome: 

The project was finished within the timeline, and management was very pleased with the presentation. The team also expressed satisfaction regarding the handling of the conflict.

2. Talk about your experience when you needed to cope with an organizational change within the workplace.

Context: 

The company I work for rolled out a new software system (which is still being used) that completely shook our tried and tested processes upside down. This was new to a lot of the team and so it was difficult for them to catch up with it.

Task: 

Quickly pick up the system to be the point of contact from my department and help my team transition smoothly into the new tools.

What I did: 

Attended training sessions, developed user-friendly guides and facilitated workshops for my peers I also offered one-on-one assistance to team members who needed some extra support.

Outcome: 

My team migrated to the new system in two weeks. The department saw a 20% increase in efficiency and fewer delays when processing tasks.

How To Answer Competency-Based Interview Questions: Tips and Guidance

• Target your audience: Cut out vague comments. Be specific and direct about what you did in that scenario.
• Give quantifiable results: Numbers and measures add much more credibility and impact to your answers.
• Pointing out your Part: Talk more about yourself as an individual contributor instead of speaking for the team.
• Be optimistic: Even when you are asked about the challenges you faced at work, your answers should have a positive framing.
• Customize your response: Use examples of the needs of the job you are applying for.

How To Answer Competency-Based Interview Questions: Mistakes To Avoid

• Ramble: STAR format helps keep you focused with concise answers.
• Vagueness: Do not make unclear statements. When I write, I try to be as clear and detailed in my answers.
• Off-topic examples: Make sure that your answers are relevant to the question and the role.
• Skip the Results: Always finish your narrative with the results of what you did. Illustrate the impact of your work

How To Answer Competency-Based Interview Questions: What To Do When Facing The Interview

1. Prepare to Listen: Understand the requirements of the question before you attempt an answer. Pause to collect your thoughts, if you need to do so.
2. Seek Clarification: If the question is not clear, ask the interviewer to elaborate further.
3. Pause for a Second: A short pause indicates that you are careful and structured in your answers.
4. Make Eye Contact: Shows that you are confident and involved.

Commonly Asked Questions In A Competency Based Format

1. Tell me about a time that you led a team to execute an ambitious goal?

2. Describe a situation where you made an error at work and how you solved that issue

3. Describe a time when you had gone an extra mile to help out a co-worker or patient/customer.

4. Tell me about a time when you had to manage competing priorities within an environment of high pressure.

Be ready for these and other similar questions using the STAR technique.

Read also: Tips to Thrive in Your New Role

Wrap-Up: How To Answer Competency-Based Interview Questions

Competency-based interviews: it’s an opportunity to show off your skills, and experiences and define your potential. With sufficient preparation and using the STAR technique, you can frame engaging answers that are infectious. 

These questions are really about giving prospective employers an idea not only of what you have done but also of how you interact with challenges and work on a team. The main thing to be reminded that you need to provide a specific example which is very clear and related much towards the job requirement. Customize your answers to play up the qualities you bring, while still showing that you are a suitable person for the job.

Think of the interview as an opportunity to share your story and prove yourself worth If you prepare and focus, any challenging question can transform into something positive. Competency-based interviews are no doubt a useful opportunity at any given moment, so make the most of it by following these tips not only will you have a better chance of getting hired, but be able to reflect on yourself in a way that is not always possible. Good luck!