Old bird needs interview advice

[Ubik1]

Ok so I need to know what the protocol is for competency-based interview, public sector organisation.

So far, I am reviewing all the criteria I outlined in my application form and then working on elaborating on the examples I gave. I am practising providing focused examples as this is a communications role and I want to be clear and direct.

But I want to stand out - I have examples of work I produced in a previous job, similar competencies. I want them to be able to see what I achieved. Would it be unreasonable to whip out my material at the 'any questions' bit at the end? Or is this a no no?

Also I have examples of work from other organisations in the same sector and wanted to show hos these ideas could work for them. Is that a no no?

And I wanted to impress on them that I will take whatever they can give me - full time/job share/ cleaning their shoes... does that make me sound desperate?

Have been working in a part time role for the last few years for a similar public sector organisation but my specific experience relates to 10 years back so am keen for them to see concrete examples of my work.

Bump

I know it's dull

I am also going to highlight my resilience and persistence

Sigh

I think it's fine to take along effectively a portfolio of work, as long as it's relevant and not too long. Not sure that I would, unless it's a creative role - but I would focus on results i.e. what this achieved, and talk about how I achieved that, personally.

And yes you do sound desperate . Some employers would like that! I think you need to focus on "I want to work for you" rather than "I want to work. And you're here". So I'd back that up with why they're ssooooo amazing and it would be a dream come true to work there, rather than offer to do anything at all...

Read the Competency Framework and the examples of positive behaviour at that grade, and ensure your examples show off all of those in idiot-proof language.

If it's a role where producing visual stuff is important, taking some with you could be helpful.

Thankyou so much for replying

It's content editor internal communications. It's a fairly low grade but the opportunities are great.

Ok won't offer to clean shoes.

Try to keep focused on the competences. Positive examples.

I can't see the harm in having a bit of documentation up your sleeve (well preferably within a nice professional folder!)

I have yet to experience a competency-based interview but have spent DAYS filling out the forms and couching everything I've done in the appropriate language and jargon. I die a little every time I fill one in.

I had a chat with a person in relation to one job I applied for (who assured me that I was exactly the type of person they were looking for and that my experience sounded perfect) She said the BIG thing that she looked for in the interview situation was not just the whole STAR thing - which I am sure you are familiar with but this is a brief resume if you're not - But you also need to REFLECT. I think she was looking for a sort of "what I learnt from that experience and how I took that knowledge forward" type thang. Whether your interview will be as bollocksy as that I don't know!

I have yet to have a successful face-to-face interview during this current bout of job-hunting though so feel free to ignore

Oh that's really helpful thankyou. Will rehearse all that. We use a similar structure when handing over information at work - it's called SBAR - situation, background, advice, recommendation.

I've had three competency- based interviews so far, one I got the job, but the other two were higher grade and I felt I rambled a bit.

It's like learning how to pass the interview rather than talking about how you would do the job.

I'd suggest getting a good friend to role play interview with you-one that will be critical & not want to offend you so you actually get useful feedback.

There's likely to be some key pints you want to get across so try to write a succinct summary & practise it. It's so easy to waffle at interviews & ime that knocks your confidence & makes you feel like an idiot & go off track a bit.

I think taking the work is a good idea-if you could take it in a folder & also have a photocopy to leave with them if it's the sort of job they'd want to check further. Just be aware of data protection issues.

Good luck!