Irfan Lohiya

To stand out from the crowd, just be yourself. Be honest and don't make a promise you cannot keep. Obviously, it helps to be good at your job, and most importantly, be consistent! Over time, you will grow your reputation and personal brand. Before you know it, prospective clients and candidates will come searching for you, instead of the other way around.

Research what skills are in demand and keep upgrading them. As your skills upgrade, you open new doors and become exposed to new horizons. You unlock new opportunities and your career begins to evolve. The key is never to fear change - embrace it with. Always keep an open mind and never stop learning.

The recruitment industry is notorious for burning out recruiters due to the cut throat, ulti-competitive, dog eat dog nature of the game. Its no wonder why the average career lifespan of an external Recruiter is just 3.5 years! So what's my secret to a successful 16 years and counting? 1) Keeping fit 2) Martial arts/ combat sports 3) The above two lead to mental strength and resilience. As you are trained to pick yourself up each time you get knocked to the ground and come out fighting even stronger than before 4) Take regular breaks. Work will never finish. Know when to draw the line, pack up and go home. 5) Eat healthy and eat on time 6) Drink lots of water throughout the day 7) Meditate/ Pray/ Practice mindfulness 8) Lots of Sleep

Practicing responses out loud enables you to: 1) Refine storytelling abilities and articulate situations/actions coherently. 2) Gauge response length - ensuring they're concise yet detailed enough to convey competencies effectively. Lengthy answers lose attention; brief ones fail to demonstrate capabilities. 3) Identify unclear areas, allowing restructuring using STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for an organized, impactful delivery. 4) Reduce anxiety ahead of interview. 5) Boost your confidence and perform well at interview. Through practice, you can confidently connect experiences to required competencies, and present yourself as the ideal fit. Now go and SMASH that interview! :)

The STAR method is a powerful framework that allows you to present your accomplishments and experiences in a organized and engaging way: S: Describe the Situation/Task faced, providing context. T: Explain the Target/Objective aimed for. A: Illustrate Actions taken to address it. R: Share the Results achieved, highlighting impact. By following the STAR method, you can effectively communicate your competencies through real-life examples, demonstrating your ability to think on your feet, solve problems, and achieve desired outcomes. This approach not only showcases your relevant skills and experiences but also provides insight into your thought processes and decision-making abilities.

Preparation is the cornerstone of success in competency-based interviews. By thoroughly understanding the required competencies, reflecting on your relevant experiences, and leveraging the STAR method to structure your responses, you can position yourself as the ideal candidate for the role, leaving a lasting impression on the interviewer. Remember, the key to acing a competency-based interview lies in your ability to effectively communicate your past successes and demonstrate how your competencies align with the employer's requirements. Embrace this opportunity to showcase your unique abilities and position yourself as the top choice for the role.