RBS Competency-Based Interview Preparation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: RBS frequently assesses 'collaboration' as a competency. Which STAR example best demonstrates this?
- Describing how you worked across different teams to achieve a shared goal, adjusting your communication style to different stakeholders and resolving a key disagreement along the way (Correct answer)
- Explaining that you prefer to work independently and delivered a solo project successfully
- Discussing how you completed a team project by doing most of the work yourself when colleagues struggled
- Describing a group project where the team worked well together without any challenges
Correct answer: Describing how you worked across different teams to achieve a shared goal, adjusting your communication style to different stakeholders and resolving a key disagreement along the way
Collaboration competency requires showing genuine teamwork — cross-functional working, adaptable communication, and conflict navigation.
Question 2: When asked 'Tell me about a time you adapted to significant change' in an RBS interview, what should your answer focus on?
- A specific situation where you proactively embraced a change, the concrete steps you took to adapt, and the positive outcome for yourself and your team (Correct answer)
- Explaining your general open-mindedness toward change without a specific example
- Describing a change you disagreed with but eventually complied with reluctantly
- Focusing on how the change was eventually reversed and things returned to normal
Correct answer: A specific situation where you proactively embraced a change, the concrete steps you took to adapt, and the positive outcome for yourself and your team
Adaptability examples should demonstrate proactive engagement and positive outcomes, not passive compliance or resistance.
Question 3: What is a 'leadership' competency question likely to test in an RBS graduate interview?
- Your ability to influence and inspire others toward a goal, even without formal authority over them (Correct answer)
- Whether you have managed large teams with budget responsibility
- Your knowledge of management theory and leadership models
- Whether you have held the title of team leader or manager previously
Correct answer: Your ability to influence and inspire others toward a goal, even without formal authority over them
Leadership competency for graduate roles focuses on influence and inspiration regardless of formal authority, not seniority or titles.
Question 4: Which preparation strategy is MOST effective for RBS competency-based interviews?
- Identifying 8-10 strong examples from your experience that can be adapted to address multiple competencies, and practicing them using the STAR format (Correct answer)
- Memorizing standard 'model answers' from interview guides and reciting them verbatim
- Preparing answers only for questions you expect to be asked based on the job description
- Relying on your ability to think on your feet and improvise during the interview
Correct answer: Identifying 8-10 strong examples from your experience that can be adapted to address multiple competencies, and practicing them using the STAR format
Preparing flexible real examples that can be adapted to multiple competencies is the most efficient and effective interview preparation strategy.
Question 5: An RBS interviewer asks: 'Describe a time you failed to meet a target.' What is the BEST way to respond?
- Describe a genuine failure honestly, take personal responsibility, explain what you learned, and describe what you did differently as a result (Correct answer)
- Choose an example where external factors caused the failure to protect your image
- Explain that you have always met your targets and cannot think of an example
- Describe a very minor inconsequential failure to minimize any negative impression
Correct answer: Describe a genuine failure honestly, take personal responsibility, explain what you learned, and describe what you did differently as a result
Genuine self-awareness, accountability, and demonstrated learning from failure signal maturity and integrity to RBS interviewers.
Question 6: What does an RBS interviewer typically look for in the 'Result' part of a STAR response?
- A specific, ideally quantified outcome that demonstrates the positive impact of your actions (Correct answer)
- A general statement that the situation was resolved satisfactorily
- A description of what you would do differently in hindsight
- An explanation of what your manager thought about your performance
Correct answer: A specific, ideally quantified outcome that demonstrates the positive impact of your actions
Strong results are specific and quantified where possible — percentages, dollar amounts, or time savings that prove the impact of your actions.
RBS Competency-Based Interview Preparation 2
RBS frequently assesses 'collaboration' as a competency.
Which STAR example best demonstrates this?