Competency interview questions

Competency-based interviews are aimed at finding out if you can demonstrate your abilities by describing past professional experiences. Every time you hear a question that starts with "tell me a time when…" or "could you give me an example of…", you're being asked about your experiences. Many people will wonder how much detail they should go into — the answer is to be detailed yet concise while sticking to what's relevant. A good rule of thumb is to provide as much detail as possible once it adds value. It's worth having two examples for each question just in case the interviewer asks for another — it's not the sort of question you want to get stumped on. Also, it's best to use a set structure for your answers, such as the STAR model:

  1. Situation: Outline the situation

  2. Task: Describe your specific task

  3. Action: Elaborate on the action steps

  4. Result: Explain the results

Communication

  • Can you give us an example of communicating with key stakeholders regarding policies, procedures or best practices?

  • Can you give us an example of managing conflict?

  • Can you give us an example of presenting complex information in a simple and easy-to-follow manner?

Leadership

  • Can you give us an example of leading a team to deliver a project?

  • Can you give us an example of managing change?

  • Can you give us an example of coaching, mentoring or training an underperforming team member?

Analysis & Decision-Making

  • Can you give us an example of making data-driven decisions?

  • Can you give us an example of when you had to choose between two bad options?

  • Can you give us an example of when you had to use data to tell a story and influence key decision-makers?

Delivering Results

  • Can you give us an example of putting a strategic plan in place or managing a project from start to finish?

  • Can you give us an example of delivering commercial results or generating cost savings?

  • Can you give us an example of effective negotiation?

Exercise: Aim to write 2 complete examples for each competency. Take a moment to think through the example in detail so that don't spend a lot of time writing about one example before thinking of a better one to flesh out.

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