(adapted from Job Search Magic, by Susan Whitcomb)
What are “competencies”? These are the capabilities, relevant knowledge and skills (such as technical and performance skills) a top performer would need to possess in order to be successful in the specific position.
Behavioral interviewing is all about looking for competencies, so here are a few of the top competencies most sought after:
- Conflict Management
- Courage
- Customer Service
- Decisiveness
- Delegation
- Detail-orientation
- Diversity acumen
- Ethics/integrity
- Execution
- Financial acumen
- Flexibility/adaptability
- Follow-up skills
- Global perspective
- Independence
- Influencing Others
Interviewers will usually conduct some sort of analysis of the open position to identify relevant skills and will also observe top performers, noting which technical or performance capabilities they possess. The top five or ten key competencies are usually defined and then fleshed out to determine whether the candidate regularly uses those behaviors. This is how they come up with all those wonderful “tell me about a time when you ______” questions!
More competencies next month, and information on the hottest desired skills!
