Interview Tip: Describing your competencies in delivering results

Describing your competencies in delivering results is crucial for showcasing your abilities to potential employers, colleagues, or in various professional settings. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to effectively describe your competencies in delivering results:

Understand the Competencies:

Start by understanding the specific competencies or skills you possess that contribute to delivering results. These could include project management, problem-solving, leadership, communication, time management, and more.

Quantify Achievements:

Whenever possible, quantify your achievements. Numbers and data make your results more tangible. For example, “Increased sales by 20%,” “Reduced project completion time by 30%,” or “Improved customer satisfaction from 85% to 95%.”

Highlight Relevant Experience:

In your resume or when discussing your competencies, focus on the experiences that are most relevant to the position or context. Tailor your descriptions to match the requirements of the role.

Use the STAR Method:

When giving examples of your competencies in action, use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses. Explain the situation or problem, the task at hand, the actions you took, and the results you achieved.

Emphasize Problem-Solving Skills:

Describe how you identify and overcome challenges or obstacles. Demonstrating your problem-solving skills is essential for showcasing your ability to deliver results.

Highlight Leadership and Teamwork:

If your competencies involve leading teams, mention your ability to motivate and guide others toward achieving common goals. Discuss how you foster collaboration and teamwork.

Adaptability and Innovation:

Show how you adapt to changing circumstances and innovate to deliver better results. Employers value individuals who can navigate uncertainty and find creative solutions.

Continuous Improvement:

Highlight your commitment to ongoing self-improvement and your role in improving processes or workflows to achieve better results.

Communication Skills:

Effective communication is often key to delivering results. Describe how you communicate progress, goals, and expectations clearly to all stakeholders.

Use Action Words:

Use action verbs to make your competencies more impactful. For example, “Managed,” “Led,” “Implemented,” “Achieved,” “Delivered,” and “Solved.”

Tailor Your Message:

Customise your descriptions to align with the specific job or project you’re discussing. This shows that you’ve done your research and are prepared.

Showcase Soft Skills:

Highlight soft skills like resilience, adaptability, and a positive attitude. These attributes can greatly impact your ability to deliver results.

Demonstrate Consistency:

If possible, show a track record of delivering results over time. This demonstrates reliability and competence.

Use Real-Life Examples:

Whenever possible, provide concrete examples from your work history. These anecdotes make your competencies more relatable and convincing.

Practice and Review:

Practice talking about your competencies with friends, family, or a career coach to refine your descriptions. Solicit feedback to ensure your message is clear and compelling.

Be Honest:

Always be honest about your competencies and results. Exaggerating or fabricating your abilities can lead to problems down the road.

Remember, the key to describing your competencies in delivering results is to provide clear, specific, and evidence-based examples. By following these steps, you can effectively communicate your capabilities to potential employers or anyone who needs to know about your professional strengths.