Competency Based Interviewing

What is it?
Also known as skills-based, behavioural, situational, or structured interviewing, it works on the principle that: PAST PERFORMANCE IS THE BEST PREDICTOR OF FUTURE PERFORMANCE.
The interviewer will therefore be seeking examples of past behaviour that provides him/her with concrete proof that you have the necessary competencies to succeed in the job.
     
What happens in a situational interview?
The interviewer will ask you a series of questions along the lines of:

  1. Describe a situation in a previous job where you...
  2. Give an example of a time when you... e.g. had a tight deadline that you could not meet, how you handled it?

What is the best way to prepare for a situational interview?
Read the employers brochure and/or job description carefully, noting the skills and competencies they require.

  • Note down any examples of you can think of when you have put these competencies into practice. If you can´t think of any at work, then think of voluntary work, studies, travel, personal or family experiences.
  • Compose a paragraph or so for each situation, outlining what happened, how you approached it and what the outcome was. Did you learn anything from it?

The focus should be on you even if the situation involved a group, interviewers will want to know what was YOUR specific role in achieving the desired result.