Structuring the answer to a competency-based question

​When answering a competency question at interview, keep this three-part structure in mind to help you frame your answer.  Think about your best example for the competency and remind yourself of the details of both what you did and what you accomplished.  Make sure the example you choose will allow you to clearly demonstrate the competency at interview. I know from interviewing that a good scoring answer will require you to be clear and confident about that detail.

Follow this structure for your competency answer: 

1. Outline the context – briefly explain the nature of the task, problem or objective of the piece of work that you are using to outline your experience in the competency. 
2. Detail what you personally did and how you demonstrated the skill or quality. Be clear about what your contribution was and what actions you took.
3. Summarise the outcome, impact or result of the work that you did.

​The interviewers need to understand about the context to help them in judging your actions and the outcome.  This should be as brief as you can make it - some candidates explain far too much about the industry or organisation or section, while not spending enough time talking about what they have actually done.  

The actions you outline allow the interviewers to match your experience to the definition of the competency and the requirements of the new role. This section should be the longest. Make sure you keep the competency in mind and use the example to demonstrate evidence of the competency.

The outcome or results of your actions give the interviewers some indication of the contribution you made, the impact your work had and the quality of your work.

The same advice about this structure of an answer applies when completing a public sector application form that asks you to answer competency questions on the form.