How to Answer Competency-Based Questions in a UK Interview
By Zyctra Team · · 3 min read
Competency-based interviews are standard in the UK public sector — the NHS, the civil service, councils and universities — and in many private companies. Each question tests one competency, and the panel scores your answer against a list of behaviours.
Spot the competency
"Tell me about a time you…" questions map to a competency in the job description or person specification:
- "…dealt with a difficult patient or customer" → communication, compassion
- "…had to meet a tight deadline" → managing a quality service, delivering at pace
- "…disagreed with a colleague" → working together, resilience
- "…improved a process" → seeing the big picture, making effective decisions
Use STAR, weighted to Action
- Situation (10%) and Task (10%): brief context.
- Action (60%): what you did, step by step. Say "I", not "we".
- Result (20%): the outcome, with a number if possible, and what you learned.
Match the scoring words
Read the behaviours for each competency and use the same ideas in your answer: if the framework says "considers the needs of others", show that you considered the needs of others.
Prepare a story bank
Write eight to ten examples from your recent work. Most can be adapted to several competencies. For each, note the numbers and the learning.
Example opening
"On a short-staffed night shift, two patients deteriorated within an hour (S). As the nurse in charge, I had to keep the ward safe (T). I escalated to the outreach team, reallocated two healthcare assistants, and updated the families myself (A). Both patients were stabilised and transferred safely, and we later changed our escalation checklist (R)."
Choose "Behavioural" in Interview Practice to rehearse with STAR scoring.
Topics: Interview Questions, Working Abroad, STAR Method