Tell me when... Competency based interviews

“Tell me when…” is a self-contained classroom topic about how to handle a competency based interview. This is a widely used interview technique which is designed to test your suitability for a job by looking at your past behaviour. Instead of asking you to describe your work background, the interviewer(s) will give you some scenarios and ask you to give a specific example of when you have been in this situation and how you dealt with it. This can be a challenging interview if you haven’t prepared for it, but there is one advantage in that if you don’t have a lot of work experience you can draw on other examples from your life. The title is a play on words as the question may start “Tell me when (…you faced this situation).
This topic supports the learning outcomes in the Association for Careers Education and Guidance (ACEG) framework for career and work-related learning at Key Stage 4 but can be used with a range of groups depending on their needs and abilities, and provides good evidence of lesson planning. Two files are included with this topic. The first file is a lesson plan, worksheets and suggested running order for the activities. The lesson plan also includes differentiated learning goals, reflective questions and a “before and after” review of learning relating to this topic. The second file is a slide show presentation which can be used with a whiteboard or pc/laptop and projector, to add structure to the lesson for students. The slideshow has the same running order as the lesson plan, and includes modern and striking imagery to appeal to young adult learners.