TEAM LEADER VIRTUAL WELCOME EVENT

COMPETENCY-BASED INTERVIEW
CANDIDATE GUIDANCE
This document provides you with guidance on the competency-based interview that you’ll complete
at the virtual welcome event and how to prepare for it.

The interview will last for 25 minutes and will be conducted by one of our facilitators.

The purpose of the interview is to explore your motivation, experience and skills in relation to key
competencies required for the team leader position. This is to help ensure that we choose the best
people for the role and that you have a clear and realistic understanding of what the position entails.

Further guidance on the interview and how you can prepare is provided below.

Competency-Based Interview Overview

• The majority of interview questions are competency-based where you will be asked to give an
example of when you have demonstrated particular behaviours previously.

• The facilitator will introduce each area being examined, so you know the relevance of it to the
role. They will then ask an initial opening question, with follow up questions to gain further
detail and clarity. The amount of follow up questions will depend upon the level of detail you go
into and how clear your responses are.

• The interview will last for no more than 25 minutes. We will need to stick to the timings, as
we’re seeing several candidates each day, so don’t worry if the facilitator asks you to finish your
response; this is to ensure the interview is finished within the 25 minutes.

Interview Advice

• Before the Interview

Have a good read of the job description for the role you have applied for. This provides you with an
overview of the role and the key behaviours, skills and experience that are required.

Against each behaviour, skills and experience, try to think about recent and relevant examples that
best demonstrate you how you have handled situations that demonstrate that particular area.

For each example, think about the context of the situation, what you did and the impact you had.
We recommend you follow the STAR approach:

• Situation - Think of a situation where you have applied the competency. What was the
situation? What was going on? Who else was there? Why were you there?
• Task - What task was expected of you. What were your responsibilities?
• Action - Describe the actions you took to achieve the task. Be specific in terms of your
actions and individual contribution.
• Result - Highlight the results that you achieved (This should link to the task). What was the
outcome? What impact did you have? How do you know? With hindsight, is there anything
you would have done differently?

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If you can, have one or two examples against each area. Competency-based questions tend to be
quite specific and you may find that an example you have prepared for is not quite relevant. It’s
useful, therefore, to have at least two examples for each area. Ideally try to refer to work-related
examples, where possible, however it is fine to draw from other areas of your life, such as voluntary
experience, academic studies and hobbies.

If you require any special adjustments, please notify the Census 2021 Recruitment Team as soon as
possible by telephone (02039735972) or by email: onshelpdesk@adecco.co.uk.

• On the Day of the Interview

On the day of the virtual welcome event, ensure you are in a location where you can talk freely and
where you aren’t going to be interrupted.

Have a glass of water handy, as you are going to be doing quite a bit of talking!

Don’t worry if you’re feeling a little nervous, that’s completely normal. Just Take some deep slow
breaths!

• During the Interview

Once the facilitator has finished the right to work checks they’ll move onto the interview. They will
provide a quick introduction and check that you have read this document.

The facilitator will be typing notes throughout so there may be occasions where they are silent or
looking away to catch up on their notes.

Here are some hints and tips for the interview:

• Listen carefully to the question being asked and take a little time to think what you have been
asked before answering.
• If you need to ask for clarification or the question to be repeated, this is fine.
• Choose an example you can think of that does exactly what’s asked. You may find that the
examples you have prepared are not really relevant. If this is the case, don’t try to force your
prepared examples into the question. Let the interviewer know that you would like a moment to
think about the question.
• Remember to use your STAR structure when answering the competency-based questions. Briefly
explain the situation, your role and the issue(s). Next, describe what you did and why – making
sure this evidences the competency of interest. This should be the focus of your answer. Finally,
tell them what the outcome was and any personal learnings or reflections from the experience
• Remember to use ‘I’ not ‘we’ – the facilitator wants to know about what you did and said.
• Try to be as specific as possible and keep to the questions you have been asked. If you find
yourself veering off topic, refocus and get back on track. Please don’t be put off if the facilitator
interrupts you. This is to keep the conversation focused allowing them enough time to ask all of
the questions they have. However, if you do find your interviewer repeatedly interrupting you to
clarify facts or to move the interview on, you may be providing him/her with unnecessary detail
so be concise.

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• As the interview develops, don’t try to second-guess how well it is going. You may answer some
questions better than others or find some easier than others. That’s normal – don’t let it distract
you. Treat each question as a new opportunity to impress – keep your positive focus.
• Ensure that you speak as clearly and concisely as possible so the facilitator can understand what
you are talking about. If there’s anything they’re unclear on they will probe you further on it.
• It is natural for you to be a little nervous both before and during the interview but do your best
to relax. Be mindful of how fast you are talking and make sure you allow enough time for the
interviewer to record what you are saying as they will be taking notes throughout.
• Be yourself and be honest. Don’t be tempted to make up examples or exaggerate facts.
• Do ask if you have any questions during the interview. The facilitator can repeat a question if
anything is unclear for you and you will also have the opportunity to ask questions at the end of
the interview.

Interview Results and Feedback

Following the interview, you will be contacted within four days to confirm if you have been
successful or not.

Feedback is available should you request it, however due to the volume of candidates being
assessed, we are not able to provide detailed feedback. We are, however, able to provide an
indication of your overall performance and whether you met the required standard in each of the
areas assessed.

If you have any questions about your interview or you require reasonable adjustments, please
contact the Census 2021 Recruitment Team by telephone (02039735972) or by email:
onshelpdesk@adecco.co.uk.

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