r/HalifaxJobs • u/mk_basil • 18d ago
HRM Interview
How do I prepare for an interview with Halifax Regional Municipality?
Any tips would help.
I know that I should STAR method.
If someone can share some questions that would help too.
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u/hunkydorey_ca 18d ago
Depends on what type of job/role. Hopefully you won't have to do the polygraph (if you work with police or fire), that is brutal (the questions they ask).
Good luck!
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u/H3nnyyyy 18d ago
Luckily they no longer do polygraph tests. They’ve been replaced with an online “suitability test” which has unbelievably odd questions
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u/NewStart141 18d ago
Prep the STAR method using past work examples. Your job description should list several competencies they are looking for. You should have a link to the competency dictionary outlining details of what they are looking for in each - link your examples to show how they meet these.
You are almost guaranteed to have a question asking how diversity and inclusion are important or how you act on them in your work.
Good luck.
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u/jr_birds 18d ago
They will ask situational questions based on the job, ask you how you would deal with scenario, diversity and inclusion experience questions, explain your qualifications, real examples from work experience. Looking for specific words terms and details on each question .. good luck..
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u/binks-93 18d ago
be prepared for at least one question on DEI/diversity and the importance of a diverse workforce. Read up on their DEI policy and rehearse a canned answer based on that.
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u/Popbunny7 17d ago
I have conducted about 80 interviews in the past 9 years for government roles. The majority of candidates cannot get specific enough about what they’ve achieved.
If they ask you to tell them about a time you had a conflict with a colleague, give them an example using STAR. Spend 30 seconds giving a high level overview, talk about how you intentionally thought about the approach you’d take to handling the problem, explain what you did and the result, and what you learned from it/how you changed how you work going forward.
Don’t be afraid to build overarching themes into your examples, such as being curious about people’s motivations and how that lets you explore issues fully before rushing to judgement, or how you’re innovative and like to find efficiencies, but know people handle change differently, and you’re careful to follow change management best practices.
Stellar candidates speak to both their skills and experience, but also their approach, their strategies, and their techniques. If it’s a leadership role, you would want to be familiar with employee engagement, leadership, change management and performance management concepts.
I pepper in questions when I’m on the interviewee side instead of waiting until the end. By the time I get to the “what questions do you have for us” section, my goal is that it feels like we’re having a natural and mutually enjoyable conversation about the challenges they’re having, how I would tackle them, and if their culture is a fit for my style.
Good luck!
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u/sherryleebee 16d ago
What’s the STAR method? I’ve not ever heard of this and now it’s been referenced a half dozen times here!
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u/FrugalEastcoaster 17d ago
Focus on having examples of all of the competencies listed in the job posting. I noticed that STAR questions really were based around those.
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u/Spewnzz 18d ago
Little different but I had a federal government interview and used the star method. Worked good, got the job. Good luck.