This document provides a template for preparing answers to competency-based interview questions. It outlines a Situation-Action-Result framework for structuring responses and includes example trigger words to help describe situations one has faced in various competency areas like planning, problem solving, communication, teamwork, customer focus, initiative, leadership, and conflict resolution. Interviewees are prompted to describe a specific situation, the actions they took, and the outcome achieved before relating their answer back to the original question.

1. Competency Interview- Trigger Words Worksheet
Your Interview Preparation on one page
Situation / Task
Describe the situation or task
you faced. Details bring the
story to life and help
interviewers imagine you in
the situation.
Action I Took
What did you do, what
obstacles did you overcome,
what suggestions did you
make? It’s all about you –eg
I did X, I did Y..
Result and Reflection
How did it work out? What
was the outcome achieved?
What did you learn? Finish
off by circling back to the
question.
Competencies Sought My Answer Triggers
1. Planning & Organising a) Budget process last month
b) Project X rollout
2. Analytical/ Problem Solving
a) System breakdown during holidays
b) Double booked conference
c) Generator always cutting out
3. Communication/ Interpersonal a) Client XYZ presentation
b) Issue with purchasing dept
4. Teamwork/ Collaboration a) Client ABC seeking new provider
b) Project for IT dept
c) Green workplace team
5. Customer Focus a) Angry customer re lost order
b) Customer missing deadline
6. Initiative a) Office filing improvements
b) John X re social media ideas
7. Leadership a) Community regeneration project
b) Mentor to Jill R-promotion issue
8. Dealing with Conflict a) Supplier ABC – late delivery
b) Dan W – underperformance
© Copyright, Sinead English & Associates, 2016
List your
answer triggers