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How to use this guide to common competency-based interview questions. The 30 most common competency-based interview questions and answers. Managing a quality service. Communication skills. Delivering at pace. Making effective decisions. Collaborating and partnering. Leading and communicating. Building capability for all.
- Tell Me About Yourself
- What Do You Know About The Organisation?
- Why Do You Want to Work For Us?
- What Can You Bring to The Company?
- What Are Your Weaknesses?
- What Are Your Strengths?
- Why Is There A Gap in Your Work History?
- What Challenges Are You Looking For in A position?
- What Would An Excellent Performance Look Like in This Role?
- Tell Me An Achievement You Are Proud of
What the employer wants to know
This is probably the most common interview question. It’s often the first to be asked and, because it’s an open question, it’s a tough one to answer. An employer will have developed an impression of you from your CV and cover letter. Your answer to this question quickly helps them determine the accuracy of that impression. It also gives them an opportunity to observe your levels of confidence and composure, through your voice and body language. says Claude Littner, business leader and star of...
How to answer
A lot of candidates struggle with this question, says Margaret Buj, interview coach and author of Land That Job. Her advice is: James Shaikh, a recruitment manager of experienced hires at EY (Ernst & Young), agrees. He says this question is an opportunity to introduce yourself, and explain how your strengths will enable you to do the job well. Kathleen McLeary, HR manager for Blue Logic Computers and Blue Digital, says keep things at a high level at this point in the interview. To make sure y...
How not to answer
Candidates often make the mistake of saying too much when answering this question. “Don’t ramble, be brief,” says Buj. A one- to two-minute summary is the right length. According to McLeary, there’s no need to go into detail at this early point in the interview, as the employer will dig deeper into specifics later on. Abby Blackmore, head of operations at Impero, says: Finally, as with all interview questions, don’t give a generic answer. Ensure your points are tailored to the position you’re...
What the employer wants to know
You can’t know everything about an employer from the outside, but it’s important to know the basics. says Kathleen McLeary, HR manager at Blue Digital. The employer will expect you to know about their: 1. Industry/sector. 2. Goals. 3. Key challenges. 4. Major competitors. 5. Culture and values. They also want to find out if you’re enthusiastic about the prospect of working for them. Make sure you demonstrate your enthusiasm through your answer. As Jamie Betts, a solutions consultant at recrui...
How to answer
says Littner. There are many tools you can use to research any company, explains James Shaikh, recruitment manager at EY. They include: 1. The company’s own site or careers website. 2. Job boards like totaljobs. 3. Press releases from the company and their competitors. 4. Industry-specific publications to learn more about the sector. But don’t stop there. adds Shaikh. Don’t be afraid to get creative in your research. For example, if you’re going for a sales assistant jobat a retailer, visit o...
How not to answer
Don’t simply repeat the contents of the business’s website, or the company description in the job advert.
What the employer wants to know
This is one of the most commonly asked interview questions designed to gauge your motivations for applying. Jemma Rawlins, associate director for home counties at Hudson HR Recruitment, says: Employers also use this question to screen bogus candidates who’ve only applied because they want to test the market or to negotiate a better salary with their current employer.
How to answer
To answer this question successfully, focus on the employer’s needs, not what you want. It helps to demonstrate that you’re a good fit for the role, says Margaret Buj, author of Land That Job. Show your knowledge of the company by mentioning something specific about the job that really interests you. adds Buj. You could also talk about the company culture or management structure. Don’t forget to show enthusiasm, too. says Kathleen McLeary, HR manager at Blue Digital. You can’t be overly prepa...
How not to answer
A big mistake is to answer this question by saying negative things about your present employer, says Buj. says McLeary. Don’t frame your answer in the past or present. Instead, focus on the future. This is not the time to bring up salary or benefits, or relatively minor incentives such as free parking space. And avoid sounding desperate for the job. Be clear that you don’t just want any job, but that you want thisjob.
What the employer wants to know
The employer wants to compare your skills with those required for the role. They’re also looking for your unique selling point(USP). It’s a roundabout way of asking why they should offer you the job.
How to answer
Before the interview, study the job ad and figure out the employer’s five most sought-after skills and competencies. Think critically about your work history (and education if applicable). For each skill, come up with a brief example that explains how you acquired or developed that skill, and how your possession of it benefited your employer at the time. If you know someone who already works for the employer, ask them if they need a related skill or service that hasn’t been stated in the job...
How not to answer
Candidates often make the mistake of not using examples to back up their answers. says Margaret Buj.
What the employer wants to know
This is a common interview question that can catch unprepared candidates out. says Alison Clay, careers advisor, University of Sheffield. explains Abby Blackmore, head of operations at Impero. Preparing for this question can be tough. Think carefully about a suitable weakness, andcome up with a realistic and achievable approach for overcoming it.
How to answer
If you’re struggling to think of a weakness, ask your close friends and family, or someone you currently work with, what professional traits they think you need to work on. Don’t mention any faults that would directly impair your ability to do the job. suggests John Lees, author of Knockout Interview. Examples include sharpening up skills in a particular area, such as taking an online course, or showing how you control your own learning agenda. Make sure you: 1. Describe your weakness. 2. Exp...
How not to answer
Lees says don’t pick a weakness that’s really a strength in disguise. He says the interviewer will see through your answer, and it’ll come across as a bluff. he adds. A classic, overused example is “I’m a perfectionist”. Don’t do it. McLeary also says don’t get too personal. “We don’t want to know if you never get your washing done in time or have a few too many drinks at the office parties. Talk about something that relates to work. Being able to identify an area for improvement is a positiv...
What the employer wants to know
Employers are interested in how your skills, competencies and experiences match what they need for the role. This is a common competency-based interview question.
How to answer
Analyse the job advert and pick out the key skills and competencies needed for the role. When researching the company, also keep a lookout for any information that shows what skills and competencies it’s looking for. Claire Jenkins, founder of 121 Interview Coaching, advises memorising three top competencies the hiring manager will be looking for in their ideal candidate. she adds. Especially consider how your strengths could set you apart from other candidates. says Alison Clay, careers advi...
How not to answer
Don’t list strengths that aren’t relevant to the job you’re applying for. And don’t be shy about your accomplishments. says John Lees, author of Knockout Interview. You must avoid generic buzzwords and clichés, says Kathleen McLeary, HR manager at Blue Digital.
What the employer wants to know
To avoid this question, don’t leave a gap in your employment history on your job application or in your CV. From an employer’s perspective, a gap is a red flag. It could put doubt in their mind, when there should be none. You can counter this by having a reasonable explanation for it. The most common reasons for a gap on the CV are: 1. Redundancy. 2. Dismissal. 3. Travelling/gap year. 4. Personal/health issues. 5. Being a carer. 6. Being a parent. The employer will consider whether you put th...
How to answer
says Kathleen McLeary, HR manager at Blue Digital. According to Margaret Buj, author of Land That Job, your approach to this question will depend on many factors: 1. How much time you’ve had off. 2. What you did during the time you were off. 3. Your track record in your previous jobs. adds Buj. McLeary adds: If there’s a noticeable gap in your employment and you were going through a personal issue, you’re well within your rights to say: says Stefan Larsen, senior HR business partner at Totalj...
How not to answer
Larsen says you mustn’t lie. Be careful about how much you reveal, and try to put a positive spin on the situation. Don’t be negative or defensive when you explain the gap. says Claire Keith, resourcing manager at Mamas & Papas. Don’t say:
What the employer wants to know
This is a common question asked in a job interview because employers wants to gauge how you approach challenges on the job and what challenges you expect to face, says Margaret Buj, author of Land That Job. says Jamie Betts, a solutions consultant at recruitment and outsourcing company Ochre House. The employer will be looking for a candidate whose ambitions match well with the opportunities they can provide. If you give the impression you don’t have any ambitions, you’ll come across as not w...
How to answer
Frame your response in terms of the employer’s key challenges and how you can help resolve them. This is where your research in the company is vital, because it allows you to highlight the skills you have that are most relevant to that company. Describe challenges that fit the role you’re applying for, and your own skill set. They should be the right balance between stretching and achievable. For example, if you’re interviewing for a position as director of human resources in a company where...
How not to answer
Don’t suggest challenges that would either hinder your ability to do the work or be impossible to overcome. At the other end of the scale, don’t suggest challenges that would be too easy or too quick to complete, as this won’t allow you to show room for growth.
What the employer wants to know
The employer is trying to determine three things: 1. How committed you’d be to this role. 2. Your general work ethic. 3. What impact you might make. You also need to ask yourself What challenges are you looking for in a position?(question 8).
How to answer
Think how the employer defines success, says Claire Jenkins, founder of 121 Interview Coaching. It’s not easy, but see if you can unearth the key performance indicators (KPIs) and other targets the employer considers as measures of excellence and success. Your answer should then describe the actions you’ll take to help the employer achieve those measures. Where possible, describe relevant examples from your current role. Prepare for this question alongside question 13. What would you do in th...
How not to answer
Many candidates make the mistake of overpromising, which can damage your credibility. As with question What would you do in the first month in the job?(question 13), don’t suggest metrics that are too easy or impossible to achieve. Likewise, don’t focus only on your previous role. Instead, describe how everything you have learned throughout your career will enable you to deliver results in the role you’re applying for.
What the employer wants to know
Alan Andrews, HR manager for KIS Finance, says an employer asks this question to find out what you consider as important, and what your priorities are. He says these show whether you’d fit in and how well you’d perform. Kathleen McLeary, HR manager at Blue Digital, adds: Clare Keith, resourcing manager at Mamas & Papas, agrees:
How to answer
says Claire Croft, who works in HR for Asos. Again, try to marry your selected achievement with skills and behaviours that are pertinent for the job, advises James Shaikh, hiring manager at EY. Work-based achievements are rarely recognised with an award or celebration, so it’s easy to lose track of them or forget them entirely. If you don’t keep a record of your work achievements, you might recall some by: 1. Looking at your last appraisal. 2. Asking colleagues for feedback. 3. Reviewing your...
How not to answer
Don’t pick anything that isn’t relevant to the role – or something that isn’t a big achievement, says Claire Jenkins, founder of 121 Interview Coach. Do not be dishonest. Your claims will likely be fact-checked as part of the reference process. says Abby Blackmore, head of operations at Impero.
How it works. We used the Gender Bias Decoder to analyse almost 350,000 job ads and found over 2 million gendered words. Bias in job ads is only one part of a wider vicious cycle of gender bias holding back equality at work. Discover more about the Gender Pay Trap. Totaljob ads analysed in October 2019. 341,466. Breakdown of all ads. Male-biased.
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