How to Impress at Your Next Competency-Based Interview

Great news… you’ve secured an interview!

Now it’s time to prepare and give yourself the best chance of success.

No matter what role you’ve applied for, you’re likely to face a competency-based interview. A structured format designed to assess your skills, experience, and suitability for the job.

To help you excel, Four Seasons Recruitment, Managing Director, Malcolm Costello shares expert tips on how to answer competency-based interview questions with confidence and make a lasting impression.

What is a Competency-Based Interview?

A competency-based interview evaluates your past experiences to assess how well you match the role’s requirements.

Interviewers typically ask open-ended questions, such as:

• "Describe a time when you overcame a challenge at work."
• "Give an example of when you worked as part of a team to solve a problem."

The aim is to understand how your previous actions and decision-making skills can be applied to the job you’re applying for.

To answer these questions effectively, use the STAR method. A structured approach that ensures clarity, relevance, and impact.

What is the STAR Method?

The STAR method is a widely used framework for answering competency-based interview questions. It stands for:

• Situation – Set the context and provide background details.
• Task – Explain your specific role and responsibilities.
• Action – Describe the steps you took to handle the situation.
• Result – Highlight the outcome, including lessons learned.

Example of the STAR Method in Action

Question: "Tell us about a time you resolved a workplace conflict."

• Situation: Two colleagues disagreed with project priorities.
• Task: As the project lead, I needed to mediate and ensure a resolution.
• Action: I facilitated a discussion, encouraged open communication, and helped them find a compromise.
• Result: The team aligned on priorities, and we successfully delivered the project on time.

Practising the STAR method ensures structured, compelling responses that demonstrate your problem-solving, leadership, and teamwork skills.

How to Prepare for a Competency-Based Interview

1. Review the Job Description

• Identify key responsibilities and essential skills required.
• Anticipate potential questions based on these responsibilities.

2. Create a Shortlist of Examples

Think of past experiences that showcase your skills.

Cover a variety of scenarios, such as:

• Dealing with a difficult colleague or client.
• Leading a successful project.
• Working under pressure or meeting tight deadlines.

3. Structure Your Answers Using STAR

• Write out your responses with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
• Keep them concise, engaging, and results-focused.

4. Practise, Practise, Practise!

•  Rehearse your answers out loud.
•  Ask a friend, mentor, or career coach for feedback.
• Stay calm and confident. Your preparation will pay off.

Need More Interview Help?

At Four Seasons Recruitment, we’re here to support your job search! Check out our fashion and retail job board or follow us on LinkedIn  for our latest tips and tricks.