Competency Based Interview
A Competency Based interview is a specific technique at interviewing incorporated by many employers. It is an interview technique that identifies a number of key competencies/ attributes that are required to perform the relevant job. It requires the interviewee to give examples of situations where they posses the required competencies/ attributes.
Competency Based Interview (CBI) is focused on key competences relevant for the position. Every job will have a set of key competencies; some employers may provide a list of competencies prior to the interview so that you can prepare a few examples for each of the competencies to be assessed. If these are not provided it is a good idea to try and establish what these competencies might be.
The most common types of questions are behavioural based and they are used to discover how your behaviour was in previous situations and can conduce to performance in a new potential role. Usual CBI questions start such as:
Describe a situation when you …
Give an example of how you worked …
Tell me about a time when you …
How would you rate your …
What specifically did you do…
What is your experience…
Below is a list of the most popular competencies used by employers:
- Communication skills
- Delivering results
- Interpersonal skills
- Use of initiative
- Planning and organising
- Analytical/Strategic thinking
- Building relationships
- Developing others
- Team work
How to prepare?
List out all your attributes and characteristics that you think will be important and think about one or two situations/ examples in your previous jobs which demonstrate how you have used these attributes. Choose answers based on real experiences that you have had. Your response needs to be relevant. Describe the situation or problem and talk about the part you were involved in. Your sentences should begin with “I”. Explain what you resolved and the actions you took. Talk about the successful result.
Preparing for the interview
“Preparation is the key to success”
Being prepared increases your self-confidence which will in turn improve your overall performance. Below are some brief pointers in your preparation and tips for how you present yourself during an interview.
Preparation
- Collect information, make sure you are familiar with the company - check the company’s website and industry magazines for relevant information.
- Know your CV and be ready to give specific examples that verify the information listed.
- Be prepared to explain why you think you would be suitable for the role (ask interviewer for a list of key competencies for the recruited position)
- Prepare potential questions.
- Don’t forget to bring with you: a copy of your CV, references, examination certificates, contact telephone numbers and directions to the company.
- Dress smart/ professional.
When you finally get into the interview, What to do and how to act!
- Be early enough to allow a time to compose yourself.
- Create a strong first impression, be polite and self-confident.
- Make eye contact; shake interviewer’s hand firmly and with a warm smile.
- Be relaxed, mind your body language (avoid crossing your arms, position yourself so your body is facing the interviewer)
- Listen to the questions being asked and take your time to answer them. Keep your interview answers relevant and avoid the temptation to give an unrelated response no matter how useful you think the information is.
- Don’t be negative in your answers focus on the positive.
- Avoid answers that are too short.
- Be prepared to explain why you want the job and why you think you would be suitable for it.
- Be honest.
- Don’t interrupt the interviewer.
- Always use “I” even if the task was a group achievement, mention what role you played.
- Demonstrate all your skills.
- Give examples. Prepare some examples prior to interview that will highlight your strengths and weaknesses, skills and previous experience.
- Have questions ready for the interviewer. Some of these questions may be answered during the interview so you may have to tailor these to the situation.
- Thank the interviewer(s) for their time.
- Write a "Thank You" note as soon as possible after the interview.