Why do we need to assess Non-Technical Skills?
As a technology business we are naturally pre-disposed to assessing technical skills.
However, technical skills and non-technical skills or "Traits" have significant interconnections, and may strongly influence each other.
Traits, also sometimes referred to as "competencies" are a frequently used way of describing non-technical skills, and we have developed a simple way of deciding the most closely aligned traits to each of the jobs within our business.
We encourage you to select 3 Traits from the list below.
There is a fourth Trait – ‘8. Enterprise and Performance’ - that cuts across all jobs within Content+Cloud and will always be scored against.
Click the + to get more details for each Trait.
Key Traits (non-tech skill areas)
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+ Takes control and exercises leadership
+ Initiates action
+ Gives direction
+ Takes responsibility
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+ Supports, shows respect and positive regard for others
+ Puts people first
+ Works effectively with individuals and teams, clients and colleagues
+ Behaves consistently with clear professional values that mirror C+C’s -
+ Interacts and networks effectively
+ Successfully persuades and influences others
+ Relates to others in a confident and relaxed manner
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+ Shows evidence of analytical thinking
+ Gets to the heart of problems and challenges
+ Applies own expertise effectively
+ Quickly learns new tech
+ Strong written communication
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+ Open to new ideas and experiences
+ Seeks out learning opportunities
+ Handles situations and problems with innovation and creativity
+ Supports and drives organisational change
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+ Plans ahead and works in a systematic and organised way
+ Follows directions and procedures
+ Focuses on customer satisfaction and delivers a quality service or product to agreed standards
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+ Adapts and responds well to change
+ Accepts new ideas and change initiatives
+ Manages pressure effectively
+ Copes well with setbacks
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+ Focuses on results and personal work objectives
+ Displays pride in work, relishes challenges and motivated by the enjoyment of work
+ Works best when work is related closely to results and the impact of personal effort is obvious
+ Shows an understanding of business, commerce and finance
+ Seeks opportunities for self-development and career advancements
How do we assess?
We have a bank of questions aligned to each Trait, stored for easy-access within Teamtailor.
When your Job is built in Teamtailor by your TA Lead, they will select Trait questions that you can use at each stage of your selection process.
We may also include a Trait question in the initial application stage, to help us shortlist the right calibre of candidates for you.
We prefer to score a Trait at least twice within the selection process where possible, so will provide you with several questions to use at each interview stage, although they don't all need to be asked, only enough for you to confidently score the Trait.
Trait (non-technical) questions are not there to replace your important technical questions. Your TA Lead will work with you to establish the principal technical skills of the job and help you to create technical questions, which will also form part of your interview pack.
Answering Trait Questions
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A simple and effective way for a candidate to answer a trait/competency question, is using the STAR model:
+ Situation or Task
+ Action
+ Result
The STAR method is an important part of interviewing because it requires job candidates to prove how they solved problems. That way, they can’t just tell you what they think you want to hear. They have to prove it.
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Situation or Task
Setting the scene, by explaining the situation or task so others understand the context.
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Action
Giving details about what you or another person did to handle the situation.
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Result
Describing what was achieved by the action and why it was effective.
About Advania UK
We are the tech company with people at heart.
Tech is created for people. Our services impact every part of life. We are passionate about understanding your issues, your business, your needs. Our business is built around understanding people, and our employees are empowered to act on this understanding every day.