Have you been asked to take part in a competency-based interview for a new job application? Here’s everything you need to know to excel in social work, nursing, and allied healthcare roles.
What Are Competency-Based Interviews?
Competency-based interviews are increasingly popular as a way to predict a candidate’s future performance. These interviews involve a series of behavioral and competency-based questions designed to assess your suitability for a job. The questions focus on your ability to perform specific role-related tasks that are integral to the job you’re interviewing for. Understanding how to answer these questions is key to success in every industry.
A great response to a competency-based interview question should be clear and well-structured, highlighting your abilities and the value you can bring to the role. To ensure you deliver a comprehensive response, we recommend using the STAR technique.
Structuring Your Responses to Competency-Based Interview Questions
When asked to describe some of your key competencies or an example of a time you demonstrated a particular skill or dealt with a certain situation, use the STAR technique:
- Situation – Describe the context and your role.
- Task – Explain the task or challenge you faced.
- Action – Detail the actions you took to address the task.
- Result – Share the outcomes or results of your actions.
Example: Tell me about a time when you identified a new approach to a problem.
Situation: “When I first took the role of Case Manager at my current organisation, there was a significant backlog in client assessments, leading to delayed services for vulnerable individuals.”
Task: “My challenge was to streamline the assessment process and reduce the backlog.”
Action: “I conducted a workflow analysis, identified bottlenecks, and introduced a triage system to prioritise urgent cases. Additionally, I trained staff on the new process and implemented regular progress reviews.”
Result: “The backlog was cleared within three months, and client wait times were reduced by 50%. This improved client satisfaction and outcomes.”
The more you prepare for a competency-based interview, the better you will be able to provide responses and impress the interviewer as a standout candidate.
Example Competency-Based Interview Questions
Drawing on our experience, we’ve put together a comprehensive list of key competency-based questions, grouped into five categories: individual, managerial, analytical, interpersonal, and motivational. Use these to highlight your key competencies during an interview and land your dream job.
Individual Competencies
Questions about individual competencies refer to your personal attributes, such as decisiveness, tenacity, knowledge, independence, risk-taking, and personal integrity.
Typical Questions:
- Tell me about a time when your work or an idea was challenged.
- Describe a situation where you were unable to meet a deadline or complete a task on time.
- How do you approach projects you are responsible for?
Managerial Competencies
For management positions, it is essential to demonstrate strong influencing abilities. Questions designed to assess your managerial competencies will measure your ability to take charge.
Typical Questions:
- Tell me about a time you led a group to achieve an objective.
- How do you motivate your team to achieve their goals?
- What do you consider to be good management, and what effects have you had on others through your approach?
Analytical Competencies
These questions determine your ability to analyse, process, and implement solutions, reflecting your analytical competencies and decision-making abilities.
Typical Questions:
- Tell me about a time when you identified a new approach to a problem.
- Describe a time you found it difficult to make a decision at work. How did you arrive at a solution?
- How do you approach problems at work?
Interpersonal Competencies
Communication is a crucial aspect of most roles. When asked to demonstrate your interpersonal competencies, highlight your key skills in working with others in the workplace.
Typical Questions:
- Describe a situation where you got people to work together.
- Tell me about a situation that required you to use a different approach to communication skills.
- Tell me about a time you had to deal with conflict with a client.
Motivational Competencies
Questions regarding your motivational competencies are designed to help employers understand what drives you, whether in your day-to-day life or at work.
Typical Questions:
- How do you define success in your role?
- When did you work the hardest and feel the greatest sense of achievement?
- Tell me about a time you had a difficult target to achieve.
Final Advice
Remember, be yourself when answering competency-based questions. Use real-life examples and relate them to your experience, how you reacted, or how it made you feel. These questions are designed to create the best match between an individual and an organisation. With preparation, you’ll find that competency-based interviews offer an opportunity to showcase your strengths and achievements.
For more advice on how to impress in a competency-based interview, get in touch with one of our specialist consultants for specific advice tailored to the industry or roles you are interested in. If you want to line up more interviews for new and exciting roles, start your job search today.
Prepare thoroughly and present yourself confidently to increase your chances of success in your competency-based interview. Good luck!
Additional Resources
For more advice on interviews, check out our other interview advice resources.