competency based interview 27 6 2014.pdf
TRANSCRIPT
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Competency Based Interview and
tips for job search in the UN system
Laura Kilemet, HR Manager
VTT Technical Research Centre
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What is Competency Based Interview?
It is my hope that competencies will provide us with sharedlanguage for talking, in concrete terms, about high performance
and managerial excellence. I believe that a shared view of
the standards we are striving to achieve will assist us in our
continuing efforts to prepare the Organization to meet the
challenges of the 21st century.
Kofi Annan
Secretary General
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Why
Past, demonstrated behaviour is the best indicator of
future performance
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Core Values the UN
Integrity Demonstrates the values of the United Nations in daily activities and behaviours
Acts without consideration of personal gain
Resists undue political pressure in decision-making
Professionalism Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges
Remains calm in stressful situations
Respect for Diversity Works effectively with people from all backgrounds
Treats all people with dignity and respect
Treats men and women equally
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Core Competencies the UN
Communication
Teamwork Planning & Organizing
Accountability
Creativity
Client Orientation Commitment to Continuous Learning
Technological Awareness
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How to demonstrate the competencies (1/3)
Communication Speaks and writes clearly and effectively
Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and
responds appropriately
Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way
communication
Team Work Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals
Solicits input by genuinely valuing others ideas and expertise; is
willing to learn from others Places team agenda before personal agenda
Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when
such decisions may not entirely reflect own position
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How to demonstrate the competencies (2/3)
Planning & Organizing Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies
Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required
Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work
Accountability
Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments
Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time,
cost and quality standards
Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules
Creativity Takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks "outside the box"
Takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things
Is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches
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How to demonstrate the competencies (3/3)
Client Orientation Considers all those to whom services are provided to be clients and
seeks to see things from clients point of view
Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gainingtheir trust and respect
Identifies clients needs and matches them to appropriate solutions
Commitment to Continuous Learning Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession
Actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally
Contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates
Technological Awareness Understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of
the office
Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks
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How to answer
1. Context
2.YourActions3. Results
4. Lessons learned (optional)
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Elevator Speech
Why me
What do I bring with me
For this position Why exactly this position
To this organisation
My motivation to work for this organisation
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Practical tips Before the interview
CV and Motivation Letter Competency Based CV
Understand the position and link that with your experience andcompetencies
Jump!
Practice
During the interview Do not expect the panel to know your CV and motivational letter by
heart
Take time to answer
If phone interview,: Stand!
Have few key notes in front of you
Have your watch available
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Long term preparation
Network Volunteer in interview panels ( i.e. note taker)
Apply for positions, practice is the best teacher
You do notneed to have ALL the required skills and
competencies! Keep copy of your successful competency based
interview replies
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Useful tips for your interview
careers.UN.org1. Prepare a wide range of brief real life stories about your accomplishments. Be
aware of the specific skills each story illustrates and remember to include thepositive outcome or lesson learned from each experience.
2. Be ready to discuss your strengths and your ability to learn from pastexperiences. Also think about how you could contribute to the work of theUnited Nations and to the specific position you are applying for.
3. Review the competencies mentioned in the job opening. These will be probed inyour interview, so your stories should show your skill in these competency areas.
4. You should be prepared to address positive results and achievements using thesecompetencies and also challenges you have had in each of these areas.
5. The structure of your answer should be: Situation, Action, Result.
6. Share information you feel is appropriate and relevant.
7. Listen to the question carefully. Keep to the point. Be as specific as possible.
8. Do some research on competency, or behavior based interviews. There is a lot ofmaterial available about preparing for such an interview structure.
9. Learn as much as you can about the Department and Office you are applying toand the work it does.
10. Practice, practice, practice.
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What makes the difference is
motivational
fit and past behavior
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Exercise You have 5 minutes to answer to oneof the following three
questions: What was the last major success you achieved in your current job?
What exactly was your role in this?
Which concrete obstacles did you overcome to achieve this success?
Did you receive recognition for this
When was the last time you managed a project/programme frombeginning to the end? How succcessful was this?
What would you do different now?
How did you involve your colleagues?
Give us an example of when you have experienced a setback? Describe what happened.
How did you react to the problems?
To what extent did others see how you were feeling?
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Volunteers Question 1
What was the last major success you achieved in yourcurrent job? What exactly was your role in this?
Which concrete obstacles did you overcome to achieve this success?
Did you receive recognition for this
Context
Your actions Results
Lessons learned
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Volunteers Question 2
When was the last time you managed aproject/programme from beginning to the end? How succcessful was this?
What would you do different now?
How did you involve your colleagues?
Context
Your actions Results
Lessons learned
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Volunteers Question 3
Give us an example of when you have experienced asetback?
Describe what happened.
How did you react to the problems?
That what extent did others see how you were feeling?
Context
Your actions Results
Lessons learned
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Next job
Field experience vs HQs
Different UN organisations
Number of P2/P3-positions
LEAD/UNDP
In and out
Check whether you keep your internal applicant status after
resigning (i.e. UNHCR 2 years)
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BACK-UP MATERIAL
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Sample questions (1/3)
COMPETENCY 1: Integrity/Commitment to Mandate Tell us about an instance when you were asked by a
colleague/client to bend the rules.
What were the pressures you were under?
What factors did you have to consider?
What was the outcome? COMPETENCY 2 :Valuing Diversity
Describe an occasion when you found it difficult to work withsomeone from a different background.
What caused the problem?
How did you respond?
What was the outcome?
What would you do different the next time?
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Sample questions (2/3)
COMPETENCY 3 : Knowledge Sharing/ContinuousLearning
How did you apply what you have learned in trainings or otherwisein your job?
Did you share your knowledge with your colleagues?
How?
How did your colleagues react to the new approaches that you introduced? Are things now better or worse than before?
COMPETENCY 4: Communicating information and ideas
Give an example of a situation when it was important foryou to clearly communicate a strategy or organizational
objective to others? What did you do that was particularly effective
What factors did you feel were important to address
How did you make sure you were understood?
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Sample questions (3/3)
COMPETENCY 5:Working in Teams Describe a time when you worked in a really
effective team.
What made the team so effective?
What was your particular contribution to the team? How did your colleagues relate to you?
COMPETENCY 6: Conflict and self-managament
Tell us about the last time you had to address
controversial issues in your office. Why did you feel you had to raise the issue?
How did your supervisors react to your initiative?
Did you receive recognition for this?