Competency-based interview

Competency-based interviews focus on assessing your skills and experiences through real-world examples. This guide helps you identify key competencies, review your past achievements, and prepare effective STAR-based responses. By showcasing specific contributions and results, you can confidently demonstrate your suitability for the role and make a lasting impression.

1. Understand the Competencies

•  Study the job description to identify key competencies.
•  Research the company’s values, culture, and industry trends to anticipate related skills.

2. Review Your Experience

•  Identify examples from your past work or projects that demonstrate these competencies.
• Use diverse examples to cover a range of scenarios (e.g., teamwork, leadership, technical challenges).

3. Practice Answering Questions

• Use the STAR method to prepare clear, concise responses.
• Focus on your specific contributions and results.

4. Prepare Questions

• Think of questions to ask about how the company values these competencies or develops them in employees.

Examples of Competency-Based Questions and STAR Answers

1. Leadership
Question: "Tell me about a time you led a team to success."

• Situation: "In my last role, I was tasked with leading a team to implement a new safety protocol across the organization."
• Task: "The goal was to ensure compliance while minimizing downtime."
• Action: "I organized training sessions, delegated responsibilities based on team strengths, and monitored progress through regular updates."
• Result: "We achieved 100% compliance a month ahead of schedule and reduced reported incidents by 25%."

2. Problem-Solving
Question: "Describe a situation where you solved a difficult problem."

• Situation: "During a fire system installation project, we faced a supply chain delay for critical components."
• Task: "I needed to keep the project on schedule despite the setback."
• Action: "I sourced alternative components that met specifications, negotiated with suppliers for expedited shipping, and adjusted the work schedule to prioritize other tasks."
• Result: "We completed the project on time and within budget without compromising quality."

3. Teamwork
Question: "Can you give an example of a successful team project you were part of?"

• Situation: "I was part of a team developing an energy-efficient HVAC system for a commercial building."
• Task: "We needed to collaborate across disciplines to meet the client’s energy and budget targets."
• Action: "I facilitated communication between mechanical, electrical, and software teams, ensuring alignment on design requirements and timelines."
• Result: "The system exceeded energy-saving goals by 15% and was completed within budget."

4. Adaptability
Question: "Tell me about a time you had to adapt to a significant change at work."

• Situation: "Our company introduced a new project management software."
• Task: "I was responsible for transitioning my team to the new system while maintaining project deadlines."
• Action: "I learned the system quickly, created a training plan for the team, and set up a help channel for questions."
• Result: "We transitioned smoothly, and the team became more efficient, reducing project delays by 10%."

Tips for Success in a Competency-Based Interview

• Be specific: Avoid generalizations and focus on clear, detailed examples.
• Stay positive: Even when discussing challenges or failures, emphasize what you learned and how you improved.
• Quantify results: Use metrics to highlight the impact of your actions.
• Rehearse: Practice with a friend, coach, or mentor to refine your delivery.