Competency/behavioural interviews. Anyone like doing them? Thought not.

They have though become part of a lot of firm's recruitment process and for a very good reason. After all, they're a great way for employers to see how you handle real-life work scenarios. They're less about the hypothetical and more about your actual experiences.

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But even when you don't have to do one I would still prepare for your interview with them in mind. For two main reasons:

1. Anyone can talk a good game, but how many people can evidence it? Giving facts/data to back up what you're saying is a very powerful and persuasive technique.

2. And most importantly, confidence. It's not uncommon for people to struggle to talk about what they've achieved. But preparing for a competency interview makes you focus on all those occasions you've done something well. The people you've helped. The processes you've improved. The cost/time saving ideas you've put in place. And the more you think about it, the more likely you are to think "I'm not so bad after all".

And a confident interviewee with lots of evidence to back up their claims is going to go down a storm, believe me.

So let's look at some examples that you're likely to come across in the finance and insurance sectors:

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- "Ever dealt with a complaint about investment performance with a client? How did it turn out?"

- "Can you tell us about a time you had to explain a complex insurance policy to a customer? How did you make sure they got it?"

- "What about a time when you spotted a mistake in a suitability report? What steps did you take?"

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The best way to tackle these questions? Enter the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method. It's as easy as a Sunday roast:

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Situation: Set the scene. Where? When? With whom?

Task: What were you supposed to do?

Action: What did you actually do?

Result: What happened in the end? Positive outcomes are always great to highlight, but learning points from more challenging outcomes can be just as valuable.

Let's put this into action with a response to the first question:

Situation: My client (Mrs X), was unhappy with the performance of her investment portfolio.

Task: I needed to understand her concerns, identify reasons for this underperformance, and present potential solutions.

Action: I listened and began to understand the reasons for her concerns. I analysed the portfolio and explained the underperformance reasons in a clear way. I also suggested alternative investment strategies aligned with her goals.

Result: Through open communication and revised strategies Mrs X was reassured I had her best interests at heart. Regular updates and monitoring ensured continued satisfaction.

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Here at Exchange Street, we're all about helping you navigate the ins and outs of the financial planning and insurance sectors. We're not just here to help you prep for interviews, but to support you throughout your career journey.

So, why not have a chat with one of our consultants? We'd love to help you put your best foot forward in your next interview.