Competency Based Q

Question 1

Integrity

Please can you tell me about a time when you have done the right thing even when a different option would have been easier?

Answer 1

• Recall a time when I noticed my innate sense of righteousness/ morality from a young age.
• Impressionable time beginning of sixth form, hanging around with the “popular” kids of school.
• A situation where stealing was going on, with a peer pressure atmosphere.
• Rather than try to fit in, made the decision to remove myself from the group and disclose anonymously the situation to an adult.

Question 2

Integrity

Please can you tell me about a time when you have taken action to do the right thing even though it would have been easier to ignore something and pretend it didn’t happen?

Answer 2

Came across a situation where a girl in a club looked distressed as a big guy was dancing up against her and touching her inappropriately.

I pretended to act like I knew her and she was able to “escape” the situation.

I also encouraged her to let the bouncers know.

He was kept an eye on and kicked out after they realised he was acting inappropriately.

Question 3

Integrity

Please can you tell me about a time when you have challenged inappropriate behaviour or actions?

Answer 3

Situation in first year where a friend I was meant to be moving in with was using casual racism and justifying it by claiming that’s what his friend groups humour was like at school, he also lost his temper on nights out regularly where this racism became worse.

I explained to him I wasn’t willing to live with someone that used the language he used, joking or not.

I think he realised the error in his ways, embarrassed and apologetic.

Question 4

Integrity

Give an example of when you have treated a person or group of people with dignity and respect.

Answer 4

Pearl - old - did shopping listened to - cooked for

Question 5

We take Ownership

Please can you tell me about a time when you have taken responsibility for taking on a task?

Answer 5

During the COVID- newsletters- entertaining, important information, communicating with teachers to get message across.

Or Nissan reporting- commended.

Question 6

We take Ownership

Please can you tell me about a time when you have taken responsibility for solving a problem?

Answer 6

Enactus- towards the end of my uni in my role as a member.

Unfortunately, key competitor arose that was stocked in the student shops and cafe.

I knew that it would be critical to get moral up again.

I sat down with my team members and brainstormed some ideas about what we could do next.

Based on this internal feedback, I was able to revamp the agendas for the coming weeks.

We then created a whole new direction- producing beer.

The beer is made out of surplus bread that otherwise would go to waste and it will be sold in the pubs of the University.

Question 7

We take Ownership

Please can you tell me about a time when you have taken the lead in dealing with a problem, situation or task?

Answer 7

Setting up travelling

• saving money
• where to go
• how much
• what to do
• resolving disagreements, compromising.

Question 8

We take Ownership

Have you ever made a mistake and how did you rectify it?

Answer 8

At University I underestimated the amount of time I would need to work on several pieces of work. Spending more time on something I found difficult- not enough for what I thought I found easier.

Luckily, I managed to complete the essay before it was due to take place and asked my manager for help to complete it in time.

It was a valuable lesson in time management and I’ve become better at prioritization and mapping out my schedule as a result of that experience.

Question 9

We are Innovative and Open Minded

Please can you tell me about a time when you have adapted to change?

Answer 9

Working from home- training myself - qualified google ads stuff - approaching others for help - taking onboard new challenges

Question 10

We are Innovative and Open Minded

Please can you tell me about a time when you have adopted a new approach to dealing with something?

Answer 10

With my diss didnt go to plan - no data - looked for alternatives

Question 11

We are Innovative and Open Minded

Please can you tell me about a time when you have been open to new ideas, perceptions or ways of working?

Answer 11

Taking constructive feedback - essay for economic low 60% and first was a bit peeved off - 78%.

Question 12

We are Innovative and Open Minded

Can you describe a time when you have had to persuade others of the benefits of a particular approach?

Answer 12

Facts are always the best way to support an opinion. I will create a presentation, if it’s a big idea, and gain buy-in from my team based on all the benefits of the change that I am pitching.

Rejuice- when I joined was just reusing fruit- idea for homeless to sell!

Question 13

Public Service

Please can you tell me about a time when you have put another person’s needs before your own?

Answer 13

Helping another with GIS- large report on something we hadn’t done before.

I had previously sought help from a lecturer as I was struggling with the tas myself.

Time was ticking and I needed to get the task submitted

However, I could see a friend of mine was struggling, so I took the time to teach him the basics and he was flying.

He later assisted me with something I wasn’t confident in and it established a collaborative effort throughout Uni.

Question 14

Public Service

Please can you tell me about a time when you have delivered service by tailoring your communication style to meet the needs of another?

Answer 14

Demanding Customers at Waitrose. Had a situation where a customer was unhappy with the particular product that he had bought.

I made sure to listen to his concerns emphathetically asking him leading questions to find out what was the issue and gave suggestions as to how I could improve.

Upon leaving he was a much happier mood and encouraged my ongoing motive to produce repeat business.

Question 15

Public Service

Can you describe a time where you have had to react to increased demand (could also be phrased as under pressure)?

Answer 15

Used to go back home at work at Waitrose during breaks.

Underestimated the amount of work I had to do after having taken on lots of shifts.

Had to really organise my time well, make sure I had time for rest and being efficient with my learning.

Gave up time over Christmas to get work done.

Maintained a first

Question 16

Public Service

Can you describe a time when you have had to work in partnership with others?

Answer 16

Peter’s working with architects and consturction company- liaising with doc controller.

Question 17

Transparency

Please can you tell me about a time when you have made a difficult decision, where you had to account for your decision to others?

Answer 17

Given a job opportunity post-university.

Made big plans to go travelling with a friend, had to make the decision to gain experience and skills to benefit my future.

The friend was able to secure an internship and totally agreed with my decision later on down the line.

Sacrifices

Question 18

Transparency

Conflict management

Answer 18

Lived with geography.

On a few occasions, a friend didn’t contribute and it pushed back our production schedule.

After I discussed this with him, we found a way to improve the workflow system together, working to his strengths and what he enjoyed.

Question 19

Transparency

Please can you tell me about a time when you have been given feedback which led to you developing yourself?

Answer 19

Lacking volunteering - decided to join enactus

Question 20

Transparency

Please can you tell me about a time when you have made a difficult decision?

Answer 20

When I was 16- inexperience dictated I should pick all Sciences and become a doctor, at the time I was still clear on being passionate about helping people and there was almost a conveyer belt thinking to categories certain groups of people.

Whilst their were certainly aspects of chemistry and physics which I enjoyed, I soon discovered my passions more specifically lied in the essay-based, theoretical subject matter. My grades for AS were unsatisfactory to my personal goals and I ended with BBCD, following having achieved 4a* and 7a’s at GCSE

A thought decision for me was to become complacent with the grades I had achieved, or to retake the majority of of my AS Levels in conjunction with the A Level.

I ended up deciding the latter. I think this really demonstrates my innate resilience to set backs, I always strive to achieve the highest I know I am possible of.

I considered the risk of coming out with even worst grades through their being too much on plate, but knew with organised and manage time, an ability to manage conflicting priorities and a methodological approach to my huge workload, I pursued on.

In addition to this, I was working at Waitrose at the time. Instead of going out partying and spending money on material items, I invested on a tutor for chemistry to help me understand the topics more conceptually.

After many hard months, and the undertaking of a full chemistry a level, and one extra exam for biology and geography, I was able to leave college with A*AC.

Question 21

Please can you tell me about a time when you have taken action to do the right thing even though it would have been easier to ignore something and pretend it didn’t happen?

Answer 21

Intimidating situation - wine section - stealing - followed procedure and policy- not intervene directly - first hang around and ask if they need help aka make presence known - alert manager - turns out he had a trolley full - easier to pretend didn’t see bc scary