An interview is like any other conversation, except that this is a conversation with a very specific objective.  Preparation and practice are vital.  Practice with a friend, or just in front of the mirror – but get used to talking about what you have achieved in the various jobs you have had, how you set about tackling some of the issues, and the real outcomes.  Do some research into the organisation – Google is a good place to start as is the “Press Releases” section of any website they may have.

Many large companies will have a structured framework within which they manage their talent development.  This normally impacts on the way skills and knowledge are described and categorised.  This in turn can filter down to the recruitment process, and how recruitment needs are assessed and recruited against.

The Competencies used vary from company to company, but there are some common themes and by thinking about these, and reflecting the language used to describe them, you can start to describe your own experience and skills in a way which is more relevant, more compelling, and better received by a potential employer.

Let’s look at some of the common groups of competencies and how you might identify that this is what is being explored in an interview.  If you can answer the questions below, and talk confidently and fluently about your own experiences, you are well on the way to a successful interview!  Different organisations use different language and titles, but here are some of the major groupings:

Communication Skills / Communicating with appropriate impact – oral and written / Communication & Influencing

Tell me about a time that you had to convey a complex message.  How did you choose to do this?  Who was the audience?  What were the results?

Give me an example when you had to persuade someone around to your way of thinking.

Teamwork / Working Together / Sharing and Collaborating

Is there an example where you had to resolve conflict within your team?

Talk about an example where you have had to work with a colleague who had a very different style to you?  How did you do this?

Customer or Client Service / Demonstrating a passion for Client Service / Delighting your customers

Where have you “gone the extra mile” for a client.  What was the outcome?

Talk about a client relationship that you had to turn around?

Stakeholder Management / Building and Sustaining Successful Business Relationships

Let’s talk about a project you have been involved with where you had to manage stakeholder groups.  How did you go about this?  How did you measure your success?

Demonstrating Integrity

Have you an example where you have had to challenge the actions of a colleague?

Have you ever been asked to do something you were uncomfortable with?  How did you deal with this?

The Development of Others / Leading or Coaching – formal and informal

Give me an example where you had to give some difficult feedback.

Give me an example where you have worked to improve an individual’s performance.  What was the outcome?

Your Own Self Development

Give me an example where you received some difficult feedback.  Talk about how you set personal objectives.

What are your objectives for your next role?

Being Results Driven / Delivering Results

How do you define success?  How do you achieve it?

Organisational Skills / Planning & Organising

Give me an example where you had to manage a specific project to deadlines.

Give me an example where you had to deal with two conflicting priorities.

An example where you were faced with unreasonable deadline?

More will follow about this is due course, but good luck in the meantime.