Apprenticeship glossary

Competency question

What does Competency question mean?

An interview or application question asking for an example of something you've done, like 'Tell me about a time you worked in a team'. The STAR method helps you answer.

Find out more

Guide Apprenticeship interviews and assessment centres How to get ready for apprenticeship interviews, video interviews and assessment centres, what happens on the day, and what to do afterwards. Applies to: All of the UK
Competency-based interview
An interview built around competency questions, where you give real examples of skills like teamwork or problem-solving. Williams' assessment centre includes one.
Assessment centre
A stage in some application processes where you do a mix of interviews, group tasks and sometimes practical tests, often in person at the employer's site.
Group exercise
A task you work on with other candidates at an assessment centre. Employers watch how you communicate and work with others, so join in and listen.
Job description
An employer's description of a role: what you'd do, where, and what they're looking for. Re-read it before every interview.
Video interview
An interview over video, either live with an interviewer or recorded, where you answer questions shown on screen. KPMG's process includes video interviews.
STAR method
A way to answer 'give an example' questions: describe the Situation, the Task, the Action you took and the Result.

Definitions are our own plain-English summaries. Where we give figures, they come from the official sources listed on the linked guide or profile. Rules can change, so check the official source before you make decisions.