We’re so glad you’re here! If you're getting ready for a Civil Service interview at the Administrative Officer (AO) level, you’re in the right place. Today, we’ll walk you through one of the key behaviors: Developing Self and Others. You’ll learn what this behavior is all about, how it applies to the AO role, and how to answer interview questions using the B-STAR method.
Let’s dive in!
What is Developing Self and Others?
Developing Self and Others is about being committed to continuous improvement—not just for yourself, but for your team and colleagues too. At the AO level, this means taking initiative to learn new skills, seeking feedback, and supporting others' development.
👉 Why is it important?
For an AO, this behavior shows you’re proactive in your growth and can positively influence the learning environment around you. You may not be leading large teams at this level, but demonstrating that you’re eager to learn and help others thrive is key.
💡 Difference at other levels
At higher levels, such as Executive Officer (EO), the focus shifts more toward formal leadership and mentorship. For AO, it’s more about being a role model for learning, offering support, and engaging with feedback to improve.
Answering Interview Questions Using the B-STAR Method
To give a structured, thoughtful response, the B-STAR method is a great approach. Here’s how to apply it:
B – Belief
Start by explaining your belief or mindset about developing yourself and others. Do you see learning as an ongoing process? Do you enjoy helping others succeed?
S – Situation
Describe a real-life situation where you had the chance to develop yourself or someone else. Keep it specific and relevant.
T – Task
What was your role in the situation? Were you receiving feedback, sharing advice, or helping someone learn a new skill?
A – Action
This is the most crucial part! Describe exactly what you did. Did you attend a training, mentor a colleague, or ask for constructive feedback?
R – Result
Finally, talk about the outcome. How did your actions lead to improvement? What did you or others learn? What changed as a result?
Common Interview Questions for Developing Self and Others
🧠 Can you describe a time when you helped someone develop a skill?
📈 Tell us about a time you sought out feedback to improve your performance.
👥 Have you ever mentored or coached someone? What was the result?
🛠️ Describe a time you took steps to develop your own skills.
🔗 Click this link to see more example questions… AA/AO Civil Service Interview Questions
What Interviewers Want to Hear
Here’s a breakdown of what you need to highlight in your answers for this behavior:
Helping Others Develop
For questions about mentoring or helping others grow, the interviewer is looking for examples where you showed patience and encouragement. They want to see that you can support others without taking over, and that you care about their growth.
Key points:
👉 Did you actively listen to the person you were helping?
👉 Did you tailor your approach to suit their learning style?
👉 Was there a positive outcome?
Seeking Feedback
When talking about seeking feedback, interviewers want to see your willingness to improve and openness to critique. They also want to know how you applied the feedback to get better.
Key points:
👉 Did you ask for feedback proactively?
👉 How did you take the feedback on board?
👉 What improvements did you make as a result?
Developing Yourself
In these questions, they’re looking for your commitment to personal growth. How do you take responsibility for your development? How do you make time for learning in a busy work environment?
Key points:
👉 What specific actions did you take to develop a skill?
👉 Did you manage your time well to fit learning in?
👉 How did it benefit your role or team?
Scenario Ideas for Your Answers
Here are some potential real-life scenarios to use when answering these questions:
💻 Attending a training session for new software and later teaching your team how to use it
🔄 Receiving constructive feedback from a manager and using it to improve how you handle a specific task
📚 Volunteering to mentor a new starter and helping them settle into their role
🔍 Identifying a skill gap in your work, enrolling in an online course, and applying what you learned to improve team processes
Common Mistakes to Avoid
🚫 Being too vague
Don’t just say, "I like to help others learn." Always back it up with specific examples and real situations.
🚫 Focusing too much on yourself
This behavior is about helping others as much as it is about developing yourself. Don’t make it all about you!
🚫 Skipping the result
Always explain the outcome. If there wasn’t a clear change or improvement, it won’t leave a strong impression.
Key Takeaways
👉 Developing Self and Others is all about continuous learning, both for you and your colleagues.
👉 At the AO level, this means taking responsibility for your growth and supporting others in their learning.
👉 Use the B-STAR method to structure your answers and always provide a clear result for your actions.
👉 Avoid vague answers and be ready with specific, real-life examples.
Now you’re all set to ace your Developing Self and Others questions for the AO role. Good luck—you’ve got this! 🎉
Click here to continue learning more about the AA/AO interview...
