Interview tips
We use competency-based interviews to help us find out if you have the right skills and experiences to excel in the job.
What to expect in an interview
- We'll tell you more about the role
- We'll ask you set questions relevant to the job
- Each question will be focused on a specific skill
- Your answers will be compared against pre-determined criteria
- You'll have a chance to ask us any questions
What sort of questions do we ask
The questions we ask will depend on the skills and behaviours required for the role you are applying for. For example, we might ask you:
- Tell me about an occasion when you had to complete a task under a tight deadline
- Tell me about a time when your communication skills improved a situation
- Give me an example of a challenge you faced in the workplace and tell me how you overcame it
Note
The skills and behaviours required for a role are in the job description. Make sure you read them carefully before you submit your application.
How to prepare for a competency-based interview
You'll benefit if you prepare several scenarios from your previous jobs.
- Look at the job advert and job description for essential and desirable skills, qualities and experience
- Prepare specific examples where you displayed the same skills, qualities and experience - you can use the STAR method
- Make sure your examples are closely related to the job you’re interviewing for
How to use STAR in an interview
You can use STAR to answer interview questions. STAR stands for: Situation, Task, Action, Result.
Situation
Describe an event or situation that you were in and the context in which you performed a job or faced a challenge at work. For example, perhaps you were working on a group project, or you had a conflict with a colleague.
Task
Describe your responsibility in that situation by explaining the task that you had to complete. Perhaps you had to help your group complete a project within a tight deadline, resolve a conflict with a colleague, or hit a performance target.
Action
Describe how you completed the task or tried to meet the challenge by explaining the specific actions you took to complete the task. Focus on what you did, rather than what your team, manager, or colleague did. Tip: Instead of saying, "We did" say "I did".
Result
Explain what outcomes or results you achieved by the action you took. It may be helpful to emphasise what you accomplished, or what you learned.
Other types of assessments
In addition to the competency-based interview we may include an activities or tasks to complete, similar to the day-to-day responsibilities of a specific role. Activities might include:
- In-tray exercise
- Role play activity
- Presentation
- Business improvement task
- Online adaptive ability tests
- Psychometric assessment
If you are invited for an interview you'll receive more information about these assessments.
