Competency based interviewing course

Reduce staff turnover and select high performers to your team.

Using the Competency Based Interviewing technique within your selection interviews will help you identify those that will perform well within your team.

Target Audience

The competency based interview training course is designed for those who are responsible for making the selection decision for new members to their team and already have some experience in recruiting team members. It can be tailored to meet the needs of team leaders, managers and recruitment practitioners.

Course Aim

• This practical course will enhance participants’ skills, knowledge and confidence in recruiting and selecting the right team member for the job using the competency based interviewing technique. Available as a half-day or one-day training programme.
• For in-house training programmes, we recommend that this training is embedded with two to four of your core competencies that are used in the majority of jobs within the organisation to help embed the consistency of selection decisions.

Course Objectives

After completing this competency based interview training, participants will have:

• Used competency based interviewing techniques using the CARL questioning method
• Evaluated and grouped data according to a competency
• Made objective selection decisions based on the evidence acquired

Course Overview

• Positioning of Competency Based Interviewing
  • What are competencies, competency frameworks and how they benefit the organisation and their people
  • Short presentation and group discussion
• Structuring competency based interviews
  • Format and techniques of a competency based interview
  • Reminder of the WASP interview structure
  • Preparing the candidate for a competency based interview
  • Time and structure needed to explore each competency
  • Use of competency based interview guide
  • Facilitator demonstration with volunteer, small group work and group discussion, review of interview practice pack
• Acquiring evidence – questioning & listening skills
  • CARL questioning method
  • Handling candidate responses to questions
  • Observing candidate behaviours and recording responses
  • Summarising candidate responses
  • Acquiring full evidence exercise in small groups, facilitator presentation tips, and CARL questioning and summarising practice exercise in pairs using one core competency, group review of learning
• Conducting a competency based interview
  • Practising skills of interviewer, note taker and observer
  • Practice sessions with internal or external candidates and observer feedback
• Making the selection decision
  • Evaluating and rating evidence
  • Using a rating scale
  • Recommending the next stage in the selection process
  • Trainer tips presentation, exercise in trios to review and evaluate candidate responses and assign a rating, whole group review of candidate ratings and recommendations
• Review and next steps
  • Applying the learning
  • Further support
  • Individual exercise and group review

The interviewing training will be supported with:

• an optional participant pre-course questionnaire and/or pre-course reading
• a colour printed workbook with tips, techniques and space for personal notes
• an interview practice pack with competency based interview questions

Written by Kim Larkins

© KSL Consulting Ltd. DO NOT COPY content from this page. Plagiarism will result in prosecution.

Download the course overview for competency based interview training, by clicking the link below:

Download half-day course PDF (615KB)

Download one-day course PDF (620KB)

Booking Information

This course is offered as "in-house training" – delivered at the business premises of our client anywhere in the UK, or at a venue of your choice. Contact us for pricing or to discuss your needs.

Training Dates

Flexible to suit your needs.

In-House Training Locations

Our trainers deliver in-house interview training to companies across the UK, including the following locations: