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PREPARING FOR COMPETENCY-BASED INTERVIEW QUESTIONS 25

Choice 1

Choose an example that closely relates to the question asked.

Competency—based Question: “Describe a time when you

were charged with sourcing new vendors for a project.”

Possible Response: “All the companies I have worked for had

first-rate vendors, so sourcing new ones was not needed. However, I did nur-
ture the relationships with existing vendors and was able to renegotiate
prices, successfully slashing purchasing costs by ten percent.”

Choice 2

Provide a hypothetical example when you can’t offer a real example. An-
swering hypothetically allows you to demonstrate your flexibility and
your capacity to handle a situation if it came your way.

Competency-based Question: “Tell me about a time when you

received a commendation from management for a job well done.”

Hypothetical Response: “I cannot recall a specific time when I

received a commendation, but, if I may, I’d like to describe my work ethic.
For example, recently I volunteered to work overtime and without compen-
sation to develop and implement a bi-weekly innovative education and train-
ing seminar for thirty employees. This employee training resulted in an
enhanced team environment in which staff members performed at a con-
sistently high level.”

When you do not have specific experience to cite, you need to take
care in offering a response. Refrain from sounding apologetic, because
doing so will only make you look unqualified for the position. Addi-
tionally, do not answer a competency-based question hypothetically
when you do have the hands-on experience the interviewer is seeking.

Industry-Specific Accomplishments

Every industry is unique and presents its own challenges. To prepare an-
swers to competency-based questions that are specific to your industry or

American Management Association
www.amanet.org