Competency Based Interview Questions for Employers

Asking Competency Based Interview Questions is paramount to getting clarity on a candidate’s capability.

Competencies are divided into four categories, and would reflect the discipline:

Working with People
Working with Information
Developing the Business
Achieving Results

For example, a Sales Person would require more in-depth questions around Developing the Business and Achieving Results, whereas an Administrator would need questions around Working with Information and Working with People.

These categories are then split further into sub-sections and levels of competency needed as shown below:

Working with People:

Building Relationships

Level 1 – Builds relationships internally

Level 2 – Builds relationships externally

Level 3 – Maintains external networks

Teamwork

Level 1 – Is a team member

Level 2 – Supports team members

Level 3 – Provides direction for the team

Influencing

Level 1 – Projects a positive image

Level 2 – Influences the thinking of others

Level 3 – Changes the opinions of others

Customer Awareness

Levels 1 – 5

Leadership

Levels 1 – 5

A Field Sales Person, for example, would need questioning on all three elements up to ‘Maintains external networks’ but an Administrator would need up to Level 2 only, ‘Supports team members’. However, if this Administrator role requires management or supervisory experience then Level 3 would also be required.