Enhancing Employability Through Competency-Based Assessment: A Case Study of a Simulated Job Interview

<p dir="ltr">This presentation explores the implementation of a simulated job interview assessment in the Communication Skills course at the Centre for English Language Studies, Sunway University, demonstrating its alignment with Competency-Based Education (CBE). Higher education institutions are increasingly expected to integrate workforce-relevant competencies into their curricula to enhance graduate employability (Ashiq et al., 2020; Houston, 2022). CBE addresses this need by emphasizing skill mastery, real-world application, and continuous assessment. The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) promotes CBE through its focus on curriculum innovation and industry-aligned skill development (McKenzie et al., 2024). Sunway University's AACSB accreditation (Sunway University News, 2022) reflects its commitment to these principles, particularly in enhancing graduate readiness for the job market. The simulated job interview assessment embodies this approach by incorporating resume submissions, role-playing exercises, and structured feedback. By aligning with AACSB's Assurance of Learning (AoL) standards, this assessment ensures students acquire essential workplace competencies, bridging the gap between academic learning and professional expectations. Effective communication is a core competency within CBE frameworks, influencing key employability skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, and adaptability (Beini, 2023; Parveen et al., 2023). The simulated job interview assessment enhances students' communication confidence through structured, experiential learning activities. Pedagogical strategies, including collaborative learning, structured feedback, and technology-assisted instruction, further support their ability to articulate ideas, engage in active listening, and respond professionally in workplace scenarios (Mashhura, 2024). These elements reinforce the development of practical communication skills essential for career success. Despite its benefits, implementing competency-based assessments presents challenges, particularly in addressing diverse student preparedness levels and resource constraints. A flexible, adaptive approach is crucial to optimizing learning outcomes. Additionally, ensuring the effectiveness of such assessments requires clear learning objectives, reliable evaluation methods, and ongoing curriculum refinement based on stakeholder feedback (Klein-Collins, 2012). This presentation highlights how structured, CBE-aligned assessments can enhance student employability while maintaining academic rigor. By integrating practical assessments, industry collaboration, and continuous feedback mechanisms, higher education institutions can better equip graduates for the evolving job market. Embedding competency-based assessment models into curriculum design fosters meaningful learning experiences and facilitates successful workforce transitions.</p>