What is a Competency-Based Interview

A competency-based interview intends to determine whether an interviewee has the skills and abilities to perform effectively in a role. This means that interviewers don’t concern themselves too much with a candidate’s past experience, but instead with the relevant strengths, skills, competencies, and accomplishments they have. As a result, a competency-based interview will use these factors to determine whether an interviewee is a good fit for the position.

Employers are choosing a competency-based interview style more often. This is especially true for leadership and higher-level roles. In this article, we will walk you through what a competency-based interview is and how you can prepare for one in the future.

What Can You Expect in a Competency-Based Interview?

A competency-based interview focuses on the skills, competencies, and abilities future employees will need to be successful in their position. To determine whether a candidate is the right fit, interviewers will ask questions about specific situations and scenarios. When doing this, they will evaluate whether a candidate has a sufficient level of competencies and skills to thrive in a role.

In a competency-based interview, interviewers will ask behavioral questions about experiences and past situations. For example, they may ask how you would handle having a tight deadline. When answering this, interviewers are looking to pick out the key competencies that an interviewee uses to resolve issues.

Interviewees will need to prepare their answers effectively. More on that later…

Why Do Employers Use a Competency-Based Interview?

An employer would choose a competency-based interview as it can give them a well-rounded view of what a candidate’s skills and competencies are. Instead of only judging an individual’s credentials and experience, employers will conduct a competency-based interview to understand what an employee is capable of. Let’s break down some reasons for a competency-based interview:

• Assess Key Skills

Employers can assess key skills and competencies with a competency-based interview. These include:

• Communication
• Problem-Solving
• Adaptability
• Teamwork
• See Your Potential

A competency-based interview allows employers to scope out candidates’ potential and find out how they can utilize them in more senior roles in the future. By understanding the key competencies, strengths, and motivations, employers can assess whether they will thrive in their company culture. When doing this, they can also evaluate whether the candidate could potentially take on greater responsibility over time.

• Make a Data-Driven Decision

In a competency-based interview, candidates provide concrete examples of where they use their skills and competencies to perform effectively. This can help employers make data-driven hiring decisions as they truly know what the candidate is capable of.

How to Prepare for a Competency-Based Interview

Jobseekers need to invest time and prepare sufficiently when they are asked to attend a competency-based interview. Interviewers will focus on the skills, competencies, and abilities to do the job in question during these interviews. As this is the case, how can candidates prepare for a competency-based interview?

• Research the Role and Competencies that the Role Requires

Learning about the key requirements and responsibilities of the position is key if you want to stand a chance of landing a job. Interviewers will likely focus on a few competencies which means jobseekers need to look for clues as to which competencies they may ask about. The job listing and the company’s website will be the best places to find which competencies matter.

• Practice Your Examples

When preparing for a competency-based interview, it is useful to practice answers and examples out loud. These examples need to be specific and concise, while still giving an interviewer a picture of the skills and competencies the candidate will bring to the table. Being comfortable discussing these answers and examples will give a candidate the best chance to make a good impression.

Make Sure to Ask About the Next Steps

If you are attending a competency-based interview, make sure that you ask about the next steps. There should be a process and timeline in place at the employer’s end, so being aware of this can show that you truly have an interest.

While a competency-based interview can seem intimidating, you can easily prepare for it. Be proactive in planning your answers and ensure that you research the company and position sufficiently. With the right mindset, you will pass with flying colors. Good luck!