Answering Competency Questions
INTERVIEWS COMPETENCY BASED QUESTIONS
AN OVERVIEW
Presented By Annette Holtom
What are they? Why are they used at interviews? How to answer them
ANNETTE HOLTOM/PTLLS 2013
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UNDERSTANDING COMPETENCY QUESTIONS
What are they?
• Behavioural Questions – designed to test a specific skill/s
Why are they used at interviews?
• • • Assess suitability for a job Past behaviour in similar situations Past behaviour – indicator for future behaviour
How to answer this style of question
• Use the S.T.A.R. module • Situation Task/s Action/s Result
ANNETTE HOLTOM/PTLLS 2013
3
THE S.T.A.R. MODULE
Situation: Describe the situation / What did you have to accomplish?
Sets the scene for your answer
Task:
What did you have to do?
Explains what you aimed to do to achieve your goal
Action:
What action did you take and why? Were there any challenges / obstacles and how did you overcome them?
Explains, in detail what you did
Result:
The conclusion to your answer
Shows if you achieved your goal or not
ANNETTE HOLTOM/PTLLS 2013
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SAMPLE COMPETENCY QUESTION & ANSWER
Do you have Organisational and Planning skills? Give an example of when you had to use these skills.
I had to organise an anniversary party for my parents.
Three months before the party, I aimed to book a venue, invite family and friends and sort out food and entertainment.
I made a weekly ‘to do’ plan and prioritised tasks with completion dates. I set aside time to complete the tasks - plus extra time for the unforeseen. I also asked some friends to help me.
I allocated the tasks to myself and my friends and family, ticking off when completed.
Everything was completed efficiently and on time. My parents had a great anniversary party!
ANNETTE HOLTOM/PTLLS 2013
5
BIBLIOGRAPHY
• University of Kent Careers Advisory Service (2007) Careers and Employability Service. Available at: http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/compet/skillquest . (Accessed: 17
AN OVERVIEW
Presented By Annette Holtom
What are they? Why are they used at interviews? How to answer them
ANNETTE HOLTOM/PTLLS 2013
2
UNDERSTANDING COMPETENCY QUESTIONS
What are they?
• Behavioural Questions – designed to test a specific skill/s
Why are they used at interviews?
• • • Assess suitability for a job Past behaviour in similar situations Past behaviour – indicator for future behaviour
How to answer this style of question
• Use the S.T.A.R. module • Situation Task/s Action/s Result
ANNETTE HOLTOM/PTLLS 2013
3
THE S.T.A.R. MODULE
Situation: Describe the situation / What did you have to accomplish?
Sets the scene for your answer
Task:
What did you have to do?
Explains what you aimed to do to achieve your goal
Action:
What action did you take and why? Were there any challenges / obstacles and how did you overcome them?
Explains, in detail what you did
Result:
The conclusion to your answer
Shows if you achieved your goal or not
ANNETTE HOLTOM/PTLLS 2013
4
SAMPLE COMPETENCY QUESTION & ANSWER
Do you have Organisational and Planning skills? Give an example of when you had to use these skills.
I had to organise an anniversary party for my parents.
Three months before the party, I aimed to book a venue, invite family and friends and sort out food and entertainment.
I made a weekly ‘to do’ plan and prioritised tasks with completion dates. I set aside time to complete the tasks - plus extra time for the unforeseen. I also asked some friends to help me.
I allocated the tasks to myself and my friends and family, ticking off when completed.
Everything was completed efficiently and on time. My parents had a great anniversary party!
ANNETTE HOLTOM/PTLLS 2013
5
BIBLIOGRAPHY
• University of Kent Careers Advisory Service (2007) Careers and Employability Service. Available at: http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/compet/skillquest . (Accessed: 17
Bibliography: • University of Kent Careers Advisory Service (2007) Careers and Employability Service. Available at: http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/compet/skillquest . (Accessed: 17 July 2013) RenewablesCareers.com (2010) Inrenewables. Available at: http://www.renewablescareers.com/inrenewables/2011/03/22/answeringcompetency-based-interview-questions-star-technique. (Accessed: 17 July 2013) • ANNETTE HOLTOM/PTLLS 2013 6 Privilege to work with you ANNETTE HOLTOM/PTLLS 2013 7