I have a competency based job interview in 6 days time. I need any advice I can get as I would like this job! It is for a job within my company but a totally different department so the fact I already work there doesnt mean a thing! I have a list of all the possible questions they may ask me there are about 50 question although they wont ask them all just afew of them but imdont know which ones (they could throw a few suprise ones in) what I wanna know is am I allowed to use past work experiences to answer the question, even if it doesnt relate to the job im applying for?
Update:thanks for the info people, I know I can do this, its just I havent been to an interview in so long! I am qualified for the job but my company has a weird way of interviewing candidates as they do it on a points system rather than whether what your saying is good or not. If i wasnt qualified I wouldnt have got the interview I guess!
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
Yes....
Use the STAR technique when answering questions...
ST -= set up the situation/task
A - Action you took
R - results achieve (outcome)
This has always work for me... also try to work out the areas they are asking about and come up with situations...
These days being qualified is not enough which is why they do competency based interviews. That being the case they will have already outlined to you the competancies they are looking for.
Never mind trying to guess the questions they may ask....I have learned that usually the questions I prepare for .they don't ask. So, work out in advance where you have the competancies they are looking for. You can take examples from your current role, previous roles, family life.....in fact any example from any experience, as long as it demonstrates the competancy required.
If you have a range of examples from different roles and/or aspects of your life so much the better.
Good luck!
Are you qualified for the job? Do you know anyone in that department? If you do, pick their brain for all the information you can get. Go over there on your breaks and learn all you can. If your past work experience applies to the question, use it to answer the questions.
Good luck. Hope you get the job.
Absolutely. Using past experiences shows that you can adapt your previous experience to the current job, and questions that they ask. Be sure to put yourself in a good light.
I had an interview once where they had 10 of us in a room and we were all given a "fictitious" character to debate about who would be the best candidate for the job. Come to find out the characters were ourselves. So paint a picture for them about how you can best fulfill their needs.
As a former hiring manager I can tell you having "situations" that demonstrate your qualifications and claims is of critical importance to getting hired. Make sure you have a "data base" in your head to match what they are looking for with a "prepared situation" that is relevant.
Also as a financial services executive, I recommend checking out www.learntosucceed.biz. They can make the difference, sound career advice and they will answer your specific questions.
Good Luck.
Normally for this type of interview, the competencies required for the post would be advertised with the post details, for example - 'managing resources', 'Working together', Communicating and influencing and 'Lead and develop' to name a few.
During your annual job appraisal review your particular competence strengths should be discussed with your line manager and any needs for development should be addressed.
As you have already been chosen for interview, your managements primary sift has already shown you to be meeting the requirements for the post advertised.
All you have to do is sell yourself by using examples of the competencies required that you have used during your current employment.
Good luck.
Absolutely,most interview questions will be based on past experiences,so most will encourage you to do so.A lot of questions will start with(example) 'do you consider yourself to be a team player?' You will answer yes and the next question will be something like-'can you give me an example of when...?'
Yes you may; be positive about your past experiences as you'll appear as someone confident who has learnt a lot from them
I would use any pertinent experience that I have (from your current workplace, past employment, education, life experience)
all you need to bring is your confidence ! just remember:
- you know everything
-no one deserves this job but YOU
-you're smart,beautiful and qualified
-look in the interviewers eyes.
and be yourself
GOOD LUCK XXX