Good Practice in Interviews The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen – 22 April 2009

Leslie Currie, SPA Senior Project Officer

The applicant experience

A good applicant experience is a key precursor to a good student experience. The interview in terms of decision making is a key feature of the applicant experience.

The whole applicant experience is ‘the fair admissions system’ as identified by Schwartz

It is outreach, schools and colleges liaison, widening participation activities, HE fairs, websites, applications process, and ‘customer relationship management’ (CRM), and more, before the student starts at the HEI and support and monitoring, after the student starts at the HEI.

It is all part of the Strategic Enrolment Management (SEM) process: from pre-entry to alumni.

Good Practice: Interviews - Background

One of SPA's objectives is to encourage institutions to be proactive in the management of the interview process, to ensure applicants are interviewed fairly and withoutdiscrimination. ‘review current admissions practices to improve the evidence

base for good practice. Work with practitioners using existing networks to build consensus and identify and disseminate advice and guidance on what constitutes good practice”’

Good Practice Statement: http://www.spa.ac.uk/good-practice/interviews.html (December 2008)

Is it an interview – and what does that mean?

If it is a formal interview are you clear why it is taking place (it takes a lot of your and your colleagues’ time)?

Is the applicant (and are you) clear about the difference between a formal interview, which will directly affect the decision made on their application, and an informal chat about the course/mini open day?

What are the implications of the applicant not attending the interview? Is the applicant clear about these?

Before the interview 1

Provision of clear information to applicants should include:

How to prepare themselvesReading required? How should they dress?

Date, time, duration, location of interview, details of where & who to report to

Travel information, accommodation (reimbursement of expenses details if applicable), map

Structure of the day

Detail about the interview type (e.g. panel or 1:1) and content

Before the interview 2

Information about sample questions

Details of any written work that will be sent to the applicant in advance

Details of any written test, or presentation, that will form part of the interview

Details of any facilities and/or equipment that will be available to applicants on the day

Details of any documentation applicants should bring with them or send in advance

Applicants should be made aware of the consequence of non-attendance

Conduct of the interview 1

Ideally to include:

Minimum of two trained interviewers

Mix/balance of interviewers (different genders, ethnic origins)

Appropriate surroundings – a dedicated room

Interruptions and disruptions – ensure there aren’t any

Facilities/arrangements for those accompanying applicants

Conduct of the interview 2

Chairperson’s responsibilities

Interviewers’ demeanour and approach

Identification & introduction – of interviewers and interviewee

Interview structure and details to be outlined

Keep to time - enough time for the interviewer/s to make notes/discuss each applicant fairly between interviews.

Regular breaks for interviewers

Conduct of the interview 3

Interview questions – standard or differing?

Paperwork available to interviewers – e.g. do they have the UCAS form, or is it ‘anonymous’?

Recording and scoring – is a standard form and scoring system used? What are the specific criteria?

Interview Report Form – how is the final score collated?

Materials post interview – what happens to them?

Outcome/post interview process – what are applicants told, and when? Is feedback offered?

Good practice and applicant focus

Good practice involves being applicant focussed and having clarity and transparency to demonstrate to potential students and applicants:

what courses an institution has to offer what is required for admission, progression into HE and success

in the chosen programme that every application is valuable and will be treated

professionally what support and facilities are available to applicants and new

students

Doing these well has huge benefits for all involved in the

applicant experience

A point to remember

‘A student’s experience of university does not begin at the moment they step onto campus at the beginning of October, and it does not end when they are shaking the hand of the

Vice-Chancellor at graduation.’

1994 Group: Student Experience Policy Report (Nov. 2007) 2.5 - The student journeyhttp://www.1994group.ac.uk/documents/public/SEPolicyReport.pdf

Thank you – any questions or comments for SPA or to raise with colleagues here today?

More information from: enquiries@spa.ac.uk or 01242 544891www.spa.ac.uk