Assessing Competencies

In the BC Public Service, we use competencies as part of the qualifications to recruit and select new employees. Assessing critical competencies during the hiring process predicts which applicants will perform well in the job.

A competency-based hiring approach shifts the focus from the applicant’s experience, education and training to a way that demonstrates how their competencies can be applied to the job.

Establishing Competencies

Identify the critical competencies needed for superior performance and use these to establish the job requirements. In the BC Public Service, there are three types of competencies:

• General Behavioural Competencies that apply to all supervisors, managers and staff
• Competencies for strategic leadership positions
• Indigenous Relations Behavioural Competencies for those working directly and indirectly with Indigenous people

Additional Resources

These resources will help you further understand how to apply competencies during the hiring process.

The guides for managers, supervisors and staff help hiring managers record, interpret and evaluate interview responses to determine whether the candidate is qualified for the position.

• Interpretive Guides for Behavioural Competencies
• Interpretive Guides for Indigenous Relations Behavioural Competencies
• Financial & Procurement Competencies
• Core Competencies for Strategic Leaders (PDF, 403KB)
• Assessing Applicants
• Conducting Interviews
• Competencies List
• BC Public Service Competencies (PDF, 98KB)
• Competencies for Interviews & Hiring
• Indigenous Relations Behavioural Competencies