Preparation guide: Applying to the Canadian Coast Guard College

Competencies

Competencies are the characteristics an individual must have to perform a job. Take some time to research the competencies listed below. Try looking up things like "examples of teamwork assessment criteria" or "interview questions on adaptability". This can help you prepare for the selection process.

Get familiar with the definitions below to help you answer questions about each competency. Make sure to identify how you meet each competency, as well as where and when you developed it. When answering questions about the competencies, support your answers using real life experiences.

Competencies may include:

• adaptability
• decision-making skills
• dependability
• effective written communication
• effective oral communication
• judgement
• leadership
• problem-solving skills
• respect
• teamwork
• initiative

Adaptability

• Adjust easily to change and new ways of doing things
• React positively to uncertainty, new situations or ways of doing things
• Think of appropriate solutions to deal with uncomfortable situations
• Develops adaptive coping strategies
• Flexible
• Compromise
• Adjust to different methods, individuals or groups
• get help
• Co-operative
• Resilient

Decision-making skills

• Evaluate relevant information
• Recognize alternative courses of action
• Reach conclusions based on the facts

Dependability

• Achieve consistent, satisfactory results within the time frames
• Perform work consistently and competently
• Adapt easily to change
• Perform duties with minimal supervision
• Perform duties within required deadlines
• Manage a heavy workload and ask for help when necessary
• Work effectively under pressure
• Be punctual and reliable
• Make well-thought-out and ethical decisions
• Conduct yourself honestly and appropriately at all times
• Pay attention to details

Effective written communication

• Write very clearly and understandably
• Use appropriate vocabulary
• Present information that is
• researched
• accurate
• informative
• complete
• Write sentences that are
• clear
• concise
• easily understood
• Develop ideas logically and present them in a reasonable sequence

Effective oral communication

• Have no difficulty communicating orally
• Communicate very clearly and understandably
• Use appropriate vocabulary
• Present information that is researched and prepared
• Use sentences that are
• clear
• concise
• easily understood
• Develop ideas logically and present them in a reasonable sequence
• Speak with appropriate
• volume
• speed
• fluency
• grammar (or with very few errors)

Judgement

• Recognize relevant information and consider all factors
• Assess situations
• Identify and evaluate the pros and cons of various options
• Form appropriate and relevant decisions
• Foresee the impact your decisions will have on others
• Seek advice when appropriate
• Make decisions and pursue courses of action
• Apply
• policies
• principles
• processes
• Show foresight in preventing future problems
• Show a concern for
• efficiency
• effectiveness
• concreteness
• Base decisions on objective information and logical argument (non-bias)

Leadership

• Influence the opinions, attitudes and behaviours of others to direct them toward a common goal
• Evaluate situations
• Give and receive appropriate comments
• Follow up
• Encourage others to excel
• Promote and help achieve objectives
• Create a sense of trust and respect
• Consider others' needs
• Delegate tasks and the authority to complete them
• Take responsibility for the results of the team

Problem-solving skills

• Deal effectively with situations through
• Reasoning
• discussion
• action
• Analyze and compile information
• Identify options and exercise judgment to identify the best solution
• Adapt to the situation
• Provide a solution to challenges or find ways of working around them
• Make recommendations
• Anticipate problems and takes preventive measures

Respect

• Respect the spirt of the law in applying
• acts
• regulations
• procedures
• policies
• Show equity, courtesy and consideration for others
• Take into account different values and cultural backgrounds by being open to the ideas of others
• Recognize the abilities of others by asking their opinion, regardless of their level and status
• Recognize others' needs, particularly the need to balance personal and professional life
• Recognize and accept
• rules
• guidelines
• departmental standards
• Comply with the spirit of the law
• Respect both official languages
• Consider others' time, the pressures on them and take into account their commitments
• Have a positive and constructive attitude toward the organization
• Allow differences of opinion

Teamwork

• Work with others toward a common goal
• Encourage positivity
• Build team spirit
• Establish trust and co-operation
• Informed others about planned and ongoing activities
• Encourage innovation and new ideas
• Gives priority to the interests of the team
• Listen and consider other people's points of view and opinions
• Participate in group decision-making

Initiative

• Try to influence the course of events instead of passively accepting the status quo
• Strive to design and organize activities and to carry them through to completion
• Try new activities without specific instructions
• Do activities by yourself
• Follow through on activities and go beyond what is expected of you
• Take responsibility for your professional development
• Anticipate events rather than reacting to them, and take the necessary action
• Come up with
• original ideas
• innovative approaches
• solutions to problems
• Strive to improve organizational performance
• Be proactive and go beyond what is expected of you
• Solve problems by taking corrective action, not by laying blame
• Take on new work activities without specific direction
• Take effective action without excess reliance on others
• Come up with new, innovative approaches, rather than accepting the status quo
• Actively and enthusiastically try to influence events