subject: How To Handle Tough Competency Interview Questions [print this page] How to Answer Competency Interview Questions The Right Way
Call it divine intervention that you came to this article. Because I am about to give you your edge in your next interview. I often speak at conferences about taking command and leading the interview. Well today I am going to show you how to not only deal with those dreaded competency interview questions that come up. But also how to command them as if you wished they asked you those questions.
The insider tip is in your positioning. The more positioned you are for the job the better. Your competition is going to give good or even great answers but you keep reading and you will deliver and get the job. Remember the goal is not to have the best answers (though that's not a bad thing). The goal is to get the job.
And here is how you do that so pay attention. Though these may seem like simple instructions this will make the difference between hired and that bland end of the interview comment "we will call you" statement which makes us all cringe.
You will ace any and all competency interview questions and get the job by:Using analogies related to the job and companyAsking followup questions with power statementsA power statement repeats the answers you have given and follows up with a close to get a decision. Here is an example."Jane I want to thank you so much for asking me about my qualifications. I know I will be tremendous in helping you here at company "X" by doing "Y" things in the position of "Z". Furthermore as I am very interested in the position I would like to followup with you early next week to see where you are with the hiring process."What this statement does is clarify that you know what your talking about and how the job works. Also you restated your qualifications and offered a time to actively followup. In other words you took command of the interview and answered the questions confidently. Remember leaders lead by leading not by saying their leaders.Answering those hard competency interview questions is great. But getting the job involves leading the interview by giving scenarios and or analogies. Then closing with a power statement of your qualifications, interest, and expressed followup.Do this repeatedly and you will not be in the general population of unemployed for long.by: Scott Maxwell
