Competency-based interviews
We use competency-based interviews as part of the recruitment process for all our roles. The following information will help you understand the competency-based interview structure in preparation for either a telephone, video call or face-to-face interview.
What are competencies?
Competencies define how we can work effectively at SIS to successfully perform in our jobs. They focus on behaviours rather than skills, knowledge or abilities. Our competencies sit under the three themes of FUTURE, PEOPLE and DELIVERY, all of which are critical to the delivery of our strategies and goals.
Competencies help us understand the on-the-job behaviours needed to succeed at work. As competencies are observable behaviours, they help us to be more objective about our own and other people’s abilities, performance, and development needs.
You can find a brief description of the competencies below.
Future
Seeing the big picture
I understand how my goals support and align with other teams and organisational objectives. I recognise wider priorities and ensure work is in the national interest.
Driving innovation and change
I seek out opportunities for experimentation and suggest ideas for change and improvement. I review and adapt ways of working to prepare for the future, including seeking and providing feedback.
Continuously developing
I prioritise continuous learning and development for myself, others and the organisation. I recognise different contributions and embrace all learning, even when things do not go as planned.
People
Communicating and influencing
I engage and listen to the perspectives of others, respecting their needs, responses and opinions. I make sure I understand others and am prepared to adapt. I communicate purposefully with clarity, integrity and empathy.
Working collaboratively
I develop effective partnerships and relationships internally and externally, seeking out a range of diverse perspectives, sharing information, resources and support generously.
Leading inclusively
I show pride in my organisation’s work and role model our values. I create, engage and empower others to deliver a shared vision. I value equality, diversity and inclusion, ensuring fairness and opportunity for all.
Delivery
Making effective decisions
I use data, evidence and knowledge to support advice and transparent decision making, taking account of compliance standards. I consider alternative options and consult others. I recognise bias and the implications and risks of decisions.
Delivering outcomes
I take responsibility for delivering timely and high-quality results with agility, focus and drive. I plan, review and adapt my approach to meet priorities.
Providing customer value
I form an understanding of customers and manage their requirements. I deliver with professional excellence, expertise and efficiency, taking account of diverse needs and expectations.
What should I expect during an interview?
A competency-based interview is timed and structured and comprises specific questions relating to each competency area being assessed. The interviewer selects the most important competencies for the job and asks you for specific examples of your past behaviour in relation to each of them.
The interviewer will want to learn about your past situations. So instead of asking how you feel about working in a team, you’ll be asked to talk about actual examples of working in a team.
You will typically have around five to ten minutes per question. During that time, the interviewer will ask the initial question followed by a series of probing questions to gather all the information they need.
“Tell me about a situation where it was important that you worked as part of a team.”
- “What was the situation?”
- “What part did you play in the team?”
- “What difficulties did you encounter and how did you approach these?”
- “What have you learned from this experience?”
How do I prepare?
1 – Check key skills on job listings
Unfortunately, we can’t tell you exactly which competencies we are assessing at the interview. However, spend some time looking at the key skills that are listed in the job advert and on the website.
2 – List key words and phrases and provide examples from work
List key words and phrases and, for each one, think of two or three examples from your previous work experience where you used your skills to achieve a positive result and what you learnt from the experience.
3 – If you don’t have work experiences, you can pull from school or personal life
If you do not have work-related experience, use examples from school, sport, voluntary work, hobbies or even your personal life. Use recent examples where you can remember lots of detail about what you did and why.
4 – STAR is a useful mnemonic to structure answers
Situation: Define the context.
Task: What were your aims?
Action: What did you do and why?
Result: What was the outcome of your actions? Use “I” rather than “we” so we can get a clear picture of your own role.
General Tips
- Be yourself, we want to get to know you.
- Listen attentively and take your time when answering questions.
- It’s okay to ask the interviewer to repeat a question or check your understanding of what’s being asked.
- Don’t be distracted by the interviewer taking notes, it’s their job to accurately record the interview.
- Telephone interviews are just as important as face-to-face interviews.
What is vetting?
Because you will have access to sensitive government information, to work for SIS you will need the highest security clearance, known as Developed Vetting (DV). It’s something everyone in the UK Intelligence Community undertakes and it can take some time, but it’s our way of understanding whether it’s appropriate for you to have access to classified information and it ensures that we minimise any risks to you or us.
What does it involve?
As part of the DV process you will be asked to fill in detailed questionnaires, agree referees and attend an interview with a vetting officer. In your interview the vetting officer will have a thorough, compassionate and honest discussion with you about you as a person and your life experiences, to ensure holding a DV clearance is right for you.
The vetting officer will cover topics with you such as family, friends, finances, health, relationships and lifestyle. It may feel a little uncomfortable to speak about these things, but rest assured our vetting officers are trained in how to make the environment safe for you to have these conversations.
Honesty and integrity is central to a career in SIS, so if you deliberately withhold or minimise information about yourself during the vetting process, this could result in DV being refused.
Our commitment to you
At SIS we are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. Our vetting officers are trained to a high standard and treat all applicants with dignity and respect, whatever their background or circumstances. Any information obtained during the vetting process is treated in strict confidence and in line with our statutory obligations. Vetting information is held separately from recruitment information.
Vetting process FAQs
Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about vetting from candidates. If you have a question which isn’t answered below then you can ask us at any stage of the recruitment or vetting process.
When will you contact my referees?
We won’t contact any of your referees before gaining your permission. Some may be spoken to face-to-face, others over the phone or we may write to them. If you are struggling to identify a referee don’t worry, you can talk it through with your vetting officer.
How is the decision taken to grant DV?
Each case is assessed individually and carefully considered. Vetting officers are not there to judge, they understand that everyone will have different life experiences and will take a realistic view of life and the stresses that come with it. We value and respect everyone’s differences, so we ensure that candidates undergoing our vetting process are treated impartially and consistently irrespective of eg. gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion or disability.
Will I get feedback on my vetting?
If DV is granted, you will be given an unconditional offer of employment. Unfortunately, we do not give feedback on unsuccessful vetting applications due to national security considerations.
What if I already hold a security clearance?
If you already hold a level of security clearance, you will be asked provide details as part of the vetting process. Because DV is the highest level of security clearance you will still need to go through the vetting process. If you already have a DV from another government department, you may not need to go through some elements of the vetting process again, though this will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Do I have to maintain my DV?
Yes, once you have been granted DV clearance, our vetting team will work with you to help you maintain it. When you join SIS you will have an ongoing relationship with vetting where your clearance will be reviewed at regular intervals throughout your career.
Deciding to go ahead
We’re upfront about the security vetting process so you can decide if you want to proceed before you even apply or decline applying for work in particularly sensitive areas. Unfortunately, if you don’t pass our security clearance, we are unable to give a reason for the decision.
Current Threats
Tackling the threats to our national security