Posting for traffic - tricky job application question

[CatWranglersAnonymous]

Hi everyone.

Sorry to post so late.

I'm applying for a job, and I'm a bit stumped about how I can demonstrate one of the competencies in particular.

The competency is 'good level of listening and influencing skills'.

Candidates are encouraged to refer to any part of their work history, but I'm really struggling to think of a good example to write about.

Does anyone have any ideas please? :)

What do you do currently? Have there been any instances where there has been an issue and you've listened and suggested a solution that has then been implemented?

Bit hard to suggest anything without knowing more about you...

What area of work are you in? How senior is the role?

Use the STAR technique

Situation
Task
Action
Result

This helps to break your experience down and put it into words

Thanks for your replies Blondie, Olenna and ILove.

Blondie, I currently work as a tutor. I'm trying to think of times when I've needed to find out about an issue and then suggested a solution for it that's been implemented, but I'm really stuck to be honest.

I graduated a couple of years ago from university, and have had a lot of freelance work since then (a bit of marketing, as well as tutoring, which I still keep up with now).

I'm finding it hard to think of a time when I might have influenced someone as, because I'm still very junior in terms of employment, I haven't been in any management positions or in a situation where I could influence or advise someone, if you see what I mean. I wonder if I could use my experiences as a tutor here perhaps?

Olenna, it doesn't look like the role is particularly similar (to me, anyway). The role is a paid position, and involves promoting volunteering opportunities for residents in the town where I'm currently based.

Olenna sorry, I meant to say that it doesn't look the role is particularly senior, not similar!

Could you use an example from your tutoring experience?

i.e. after listening to a student and finding out their most effective learning style, you tailored the way you delivered their learning. This approach supported their learning and the outcome was they passed their exam / were very well prepared for their next programme of study / improved their study skills for the future....... (whatever best fits)

Good luck :)

Thanks Chottie, that sounds like a great idea :)

If anyone else has any further ideas as well, please feel free to post them on here.

I don't know anything about your field, but in my corporate job 'influencing' is quite a buzz word. It includes being a role model, leading by example etc. which I would have thought you could easily demonstrate as a tutor - taking a professional approach to your interactions, using suitable language in conversations, encouraging your students to present their work well - all that would come under 'influencing'.

Link it loosing to a situation you have experienced, use STAR but embellish as needed. They won't be checking up on you as to whether the situation occured, they just want to see how you formulate and put across your answer.