The job market is increasingly demanding, and companies aren't just looking for candidates with a good resume. They want professionals who demonstrate specific skills, can solve problems, and adapt to different day-to-day corporate situations. In this context, competency-based interview has become one of the main selection methods, as it allows recruiters to assess the candidate's behavior and their ability to deal with real challenges.

If you have an interview scheduled and want to stand out, it's crucial to understand how this type of approach works and prepare as best as possible. Knowing the most common questions and how to structure compelling answers can be key to landing the job you want.

This comprehensive guide will explain What is a competency-based interview, what are the most evaluated skills, how to answer questions correctly and what mistakes to avoid.

What is a competency-based interview?

The competency-based interview is a structured interview model that seeks to assess how the candidate used past experiences to predict future performanceInstead of asking generic questions about strengths or weaknesses, the recruiter asks the candidate to describe real-life situations that demonstrate specific skills.

This type of interview assumes that past behavior is a strong indicator of future behavior. Thus, the interviewer analyzes what skills the candidate has already used in his professional career and how he can apply them in the company.

For example, instead of asking, “Do you know how to work under pressure?”, the recruiter might ask:

"Tell me about a time when you had to deal with high pressure at work. How did you react, and what was the outcome?"

The answer allows the interviewer to assess how the candidate deals with real challenges and what strategies they use to solve problems.

The most evaluated skills in the interview

Each company and position requires a specific set of skills. However, some behavioral skills are highly valued and are often assessed in most recruitment processes.

1. Problem solving

Knowing how to identify a problem, analyze it, and find the best solution is essential for any professional. To assess this skill, the recruiter might ask:

“Talk about a challenge you faced at work and how you resolved it.”

2. Teamwork

Collaboration between professionals is essential in the corporate environment. The interviewer might ask:

"Tell me about a project where you had to work with others. What was your involvement like?"

3. Leadership

Even if the vacancy isn't for a management position, companies value candidates who know how to lead, motivate colleagues, and make decisions.

“Tell me about a time when you took the lead on a project or initiative, even without a formal leadership role.”

4. Effective communication

The way a professional conveys information can directly impact the success of a project. The recruiter might ask:

“Have you ever had to explain something complex to a colleague or client? How did you do it?”

5. Time management and priorities

Knowing how to organize tasks and meet deadlines is a fundamental skill in the corporate environment.

"Give me an example of a time when you had to juggle multiple tasks at once. How did you organize yourself to accomplish them all?"

6. Adaptability

The job market is constantly changing, and professionals need to adapt to new situations.

Tell me about a time when you had to deal with unexpected changes at work. How did you react?

How to prepare for a competency-based interview

Knowing that this type of interview requires answers based on real experiences is the first step to preparing properly. To ensure a strong performance, follow some strategies that will help you organize your answers and stand out during your interview with the recruiter.

1. Use the STAR technique to structure responses

One of the best ways to construct coherent and objective responses is to use the technique STAR, which helps to present information in an organized way.

✅ Ssituation: Describe the context of the situation experienced.
✅ Tarefa: Explain what your responsibility was in the challenge.
✅ THEtion: Detail the actions you took to resolve the situation.
✅ RResult: Show the positive impacts of your actions.

For example, if the recruiter asks:

“Tell me about a time when you had to deal with an unhappy customer.”

The answer could be:

Situation: At my previous job, a client complained that the service wasn't meeting his expectations. He was very frustrated and threatened to cancel the contract.

Task: My responsibility was to resolve the situation quickly, ensuring customer satisfaction and keeping the contract active.

Action: I listened carefully to the complaint, identified the problem, and offered a personalized solution. I also proposed ongoing follow-up to ensure the situation didn't recur.

Result: The client was satisfied with the attention received, maintained the contract and recommended our services to other clients.

2. Review your professional experiences

Before the interview, make a list of the most important professional situations you've experienced. Try to recall challenges overcome, successful projects, and learning experiences.

3. Read the job description

Each position requires specific skills. Read the ad carefully and try to identify which skills the company values most. This way, you can prepare responses that demonstrate you have exactly what they're looking for.

4. Practice your answers

Practice with a friend or record your answers to hear how you express yourself. This helps avoid confusing or lengthy answers.

5. Keep calm and be authentic

Recruiters can tell when a candidate is just trying to impress. Be honest, speak confidently, and show enthusiasm for the opportunity.

Mistakes to avoid in a competency-based interview

⚠️ Respond in a generic way
Simply saying, "I'm good at problem-solving," won't be enough. Always provide a real-life example to support your answer.

⚠️ Talking too much and not being objective
Long, unfocused answers can turn off the recruiter. Use the STAR technique to stay objective.

⚠️ Not knowing your own experiences well
If you forget important details in the stories you tell, it can seem like you're making things up. Before the interview, review your professional experience thoroughly.

⚠️ Not showing results
Companies want to know how your actions positively impacted a project or challenge. Always end your answers by showing the results achieved.

An important step

The competency-based interview is one of the most important stages of the selection process and can determine whether you're hired or not. With the right preparation, you can answer questions clearly, demonstrate your skills, and stand out from the crowd.

When using the STAR techniqueBy reviewing your professional experiences and practicing your answers, you significantly increase your chances of success. If you have an interview scheduled, start preparing now and have the confidence to showcase your potential.

Understanding what companies expect and knowing how to communicate your experience can be the difference that will help you land the job you want.

See also: Public speaking for a job interview: see the tips

February 21, 2025