ARTICULATING YOUR EXPERIENCE
A vital piece in the next step of your career and self-development journey is your ability to articulate your experiences, skills, and contributions. The RecSports Student Competencies provide a helpful map with practical, behavior-based examples to help you shine!
RECSPORTS STUDENT COMPETENCIES
The National Association of Colleges & Employers (NACE) outlines the skills companies are most often looking for from applicants, then they share that information with colleges and universities so students (like you!) can be informed. We’ve adapted the NACE competencies to create the RecSports Student Competencies, a guide and resource for your career and self-development journey. RecSports Student Competencies are tailored to our student positions, which allows us to sharpen our focus and really see your development take flight!
Professionalism
Demonstrate ethical decision making, courtesy, diligence, and skill in the workplace.
- Be fully engaged in the present moment to meet and anticipate needs.
- Speak with respect and behave with dependability.
- Develop and maintain character that aligns with the values of RecSports.
- Approach tasks with a high level of intention by productively managing time and resources.
- Exercise confidentiality to respect others and protect sensitive information.
Behavioral-Based Interview Questions
- Explain a situation where you demonstrated a high level of dependability.
- Describe a time when you admitted a mistake. How did your team respond and how did you learn from the situation?
Communication
Productively exchange information, ideas, and perspectives to contribute to a positive RecSports atmosphere.
- Demonstrate active listening skills, and effective verbal, non-verbal, and written communication.
- Clearly and confidently communicate in an organized manner to provide guidance.
- Deliver information in a way that respects individual abilities and cultural differences.
- Promptly inform team members of relevant information or request assistance if needed.
- Communicate professionally across workplace platforms by determining appropriate time, place, and manner.
Behavioral-Based Interview Questions
- Describe a situation where you were able to strengthen a relationship by communicating effectively. What was it that made your communication so effective?
- Explain a time when you had to present complex information. How did you ensure that the other person understood?
Customer Service
Create a welcoming, supportive, and accessible environment by providing friendly, resourceful, and knowledgeable assistance that enhances the patron experience.
- Greet and interact with patrons in a polite, professional, and inviting tone.
- Assist patrons by anticipating and promptly addressing their needs or requests.
- Actively listen and respond to patron concerns in a clear, direct, and patient manner.
- Use knowledge, resources, and team members to confidently guide and educate patrons.
- Refer patrons to appropriate support via email, phone, and/or in-person interactions.
Behavioral-Based Interview Questions
- Explain the most challenging customer interaction you have navigated. How did you provide good customer service in the midst of the situation?
- Describe a recent situation in which you exceeded a customer's expectations. How did the customer respond?
Critical Thinking
Identify and respond to situations based upon context and relevant information.
- Use resources and informed reasoning to solve problems and make intentional decisions.
- Identify concerns and ideas that impact the user or employee experience.
- Acknowledge and consider the perspectives and experiences of others during decision-making.
- Proactively manage risk, anticipate needs, and prioritize important or urgent tasks.
- Navigate change and adapt to new technologies, environments, and dynamics.
Behavioral-Based Interview Questions
- Discuss an important decision you have made regarding a task at work. What factors influenced your decision and what was the final outcome?
- How do you involve your manager and/or others when you make a decision?
Emotional Intelligence
Self: Perceive, identify, and intentionally manage your emotions.
Team Members: Perceive and respond to the emotions of team members and patrons.
Sample Behaviors: Self
- Set boundaries for your emotional health to protect and cultivate wellbeing.
- Constructively express your emotions and request support through appropriate resources.
Sample Behaviors: Team Members
- Recognize verbal and non-verbal emotional cues to acknowledge feelings and offer support.
- Adjust tone, speech, and body language to be considerate of team members.
- Cultivate a supportive space, providing opportunities for yourself and team members to regulate emotion(s).
Behavioral-Based Interview Questions
- Describe a situation when you were under considerable pressure. How did you manage your emotions and navigate the situation?
- Explain a time when you had to adjust your approach because it was not resonating with your teammates. What was the outcome?
Teamwork
Collaborate to meet team goals through communication, support, and shared responsibilities.
- Engage in honest, respectful, and productive dialogue to promote trust.
- Address disagreements or underlying issues to support the best interests of the team.
- Exhibit the ability to compromise and be adaptable in moments of uncertainty.
- Demonstrate ownership and accountability for individual contributions to team outcomes.
- Acknowledge team capacity and make appropriate adjustments to achieve common goals.
Behavioral-Based Interview Questions
- Please give your best example of working cooperatively as a team member to accomplish an important goal. What was the goal, and to what extent did you interact with others on this project?
- Describe a team experience you found rewarding. What made it successful?
Leadership
Inspire a shared vision by taking initiative, managing decisions, and acting in the best interests of the team.
- Recognize potential in team members, encourage growth through opportunities, and highlight unique strengths and knowledge.
- Delegate tasks in alignment with individual strengths to maximize team results and performance.
- Provide timely feedback, both positive and constructive, to support individual and team efforts.
- Share, demonstrate, and uphold clear, attainable expectations.
Demonstrate care and attention toward team members to foster a safe, thriving work environment.
Behavioral-Based Interview Questions
- Provide an example when you were able to motivate or equip teammates to successfully accomplish a task.
- Describe a situation when you were leading a group of people and things did not go as planned. How did you respond and how did your teammates respond?
Career & Self Development
Identify individual strengths and areas of improvement while pursuing personal and professional growth opportunities.
Identify goals and strategies for self-improvement.
Enhance current skills by considering and applying feedback.
Draw connections from current responsibilities and skills to future work settings.
Invest in interactions that contribute to authentic professional relationships.
Communicate the unique value, contributions, and achievements of your work.
Pursue opportunities, further education, and training to support career endeavors.
Behavioral-Based Interview Questions
- Describe a recent experience that you would describe as a real learning experience. What did you learn and how have you applied that new knowledge in your work?
- What do you consider to be your professional strengths? Provide a specific example of how you've utilized this strength in the workplace.
COMPETENCIES...THEY'RE TAKING YOU PLACES!