How to nail Competency-Based Public Sector Interviews

How to nail Competency-Based Public Sector Interviews

Embarking on competency-based interviews in the public sector for the first time can be a daunting experience, especially if you’re coming from the private sector. Public sector interviews have their unique characteristics, with a significant emphasis on competency questions and using a capability framework. In fact, these questions often make up 90-95% of the interview and determine the majority of your marks. To maximize your chances of success, it’s important to take certain steps and approaches.

Time Management:

Effectively managing your time is crucial during the interview. You’ll be allocated a certain amount of time for each competency, and you’ll need to get very specific information across. Going off on tangents is fatal.

Highlight your individual contribution

Emphasise your individual contribution in each competency. Your thumbprint needs to be all over the example. You can acknowledge the work done by the team but highlight how your role was instrumental to the successful outcome. A big mistake in interviews is saying “we” instead of “I”.

Give Specific Examples:

Supporting each competency with specific examples is essential. Consider instances where you went above and beyond the call of duty, took on additional responsibilities, or exceeded expectations. Talk about the positive outcome and quantify your success. Avoid generic examples – you’ll lose the interest of the interview panel. For a more comprehensive understanding of the STAR technique, refer to my article on competency interviews.

Practise Your Delivery:

To ensure a polished delivery, practise your answers beforehand. Ideally, do so out loud, as this will help you become accustomed to the sound of your own voice. Thinking on your feet during the interview can be very challenging, so anticipate and prepare as much in advance as you can.

Energy and Authenticity:

Don’t get so caught up in providing the “correct” answers that you forget your delivery. Show energy and passion throughout the interview. Avoid a robotic, scripted way of speaking and instead stay in the moment, using your own voice to showcase your personality. This approach fosters trust and authenticity, helping you connect with the interview panel.

Conclusion:

While public sector interviews are challenging, strong preparation will pave the way for success. By taking on board the 5 tips, you can excel in these interviews and look forward to a rewarding and dynamic career in the public sector. If you’d like more support on crafting answers to your competency questions, give me a call for a one to one session.

About the Author

Laura McGrath is a qualified executive coach, EMCC Certified with over 20 years’ experience in executive search and recruitment.  She’s the owner of Interview Techniques, a leading provider of interview and career coaching services and has been a guest lecturer with Trinity College Dublin and TU Dublin.  She’s given master interview classes with Institute of Chartered Accountants. For a consultation, please call 087 669 1192 or go to https://interviewtechniques.ie/contact/

Public Sector Experience: She’s been on public sector interview panel for the Civil Service interviewing Clerical Officers/Executive Officers/Higher Executive Officers/Administrative Officers and Assistant Principal Officers. She’s also been on Local Authority, County Council, HSE, Irish Prison Service, Garda Siochana and numerous semi-state boards, interviewing using both the Capability Framework and Competency Models.

(For a consultation, please call 087 669 1192)