Interview Structure

FYI… Updated schedule

Structuring the Interview

Set schedule for the day– All candidates must be treated the

sameQuestions, procedures, length of time

– Sample….

Interview Schedule 9:00 Candidate #1 oral interview 10:00-11:00 Candidate #1 written interview

1:00 Candidate #2 oral interview 2:00-3:00 Candidate #2 written interview

3:30 Candidate #3 oral interview 4:30-5:30 Candidate #3 written interview

Interview Schedule 8:30 Meet with direct supervisor @ job 9:00 Tour of facilities 9:30 Meet with CEO 10:00Meet with search committee 11:00Simulation exercise 12:00Interview ends

Send the schedule in advance

Department Administrator Assessment Center

Activity Time Location Participants Breakfast/Introductions 8:00-8:15 Conference Room Candidates, Panel, Board

Panel Orientation 8:15-8:40 Administrator’s Office Panel Members

Candidates Orientation 8:15-8:40 Conference Room Staff Member Graphic Resume Preparation

Graphic Resume Exercise 8:40-9:20 Conference Room Candidates (see schedule)Panel Members

Written Exercise #1 9:30-10:30 Conference Room Candidates (see schedule) (Vision Exercise) Panel Members

Exercise #2 Preparation 9:00-11:15 varies per candidate Candidates (see schedule)

Written Exercise #2 10:30-11:30 Conference Room Candidates (see schedule)Panel Members

Lunch 12:15-1:00 varies per candidate Candidates/Panel

Panel Interviews 11:30-3:15 varies per candidate Candidates/Panel

Panel Review 3:15-4:00 Conference Room Panel Members/Hiring Person

Finalist Interviews 4:00-6:00 Conference Room Hiring Person/Finalists (if necessary)

TIME/ROOM Assessors Candidate #1: Candidate #2: Candidate #3: Candidate #4:

8:00 - 8:15 Parks Conference Room Welcome

/IntroductionWelcome

/IntroductionWelcome

/IntroductionWelcome

/IntroductionWelcome

/Introduction

8:15 - 8:30 Orientation with

Adminstrator (Administrator's

office)

Candidates Instructions (Parks conference room)

Candidates Instructions (Parks conference room)

Candidates Instructions (Parks conference room)

Candidates Instructions (Parks conference room)

8:30 - 8:40 Orientation with

Board (Administrator's

office)Graphic Resume'

preparationGraphic Resume'

preparationGraphic Resume'

preparationGraphic Resume'

preparation

8:40 - 8:50Candidate #1

presentation of Graphic Resume'

Graphic Resume' presentation Free Free Free

(8:40-9:00) (8:40-9:10)

8:50 - 9:00Candidate #2

presentation of Graphic Resume' Exercise #2 Prep.

Graphic Resume' presentation

9:00 - 9:10Candidate #3

presentation of Graphic Resume' Exercise #2 Free

Graphic Resume' presentation Free

Preparation (9:00-9:45)

9:10 - 9:20Candidate #4

presentation of Graphic Resume' (8:50-9:30) Free

Graphic Resume' presentation

(9:10-10:00)

9:20 - 9:30 free Free

9:30 - 9:45Candidate #1

presentation of Exercise 1

Oral Presentation of Exercise 1 (written

prior to Assessment Center)

Exercise #2 Preparation (9:30-

10:15)

9:45 - 10:00Candidate #2

presentation of Exercise 1

Facilities/Park Tour (9:45-10:30)

Oral Presentation of Exercise 1 (written

prior to Assessment Center)

Free Exercise #2 Preparation

10:00 - 10:15Candidate #3

presentation of Exercise 1

Free (10:00-10:30)

Oral Presentation of Exercise 1 (written

prior to Assessment Center)

10:15 - 10:30Candidate #4

presentation of Exercise 1

Tour (continued) Free (10:00-10:30) Exercise #2

Oral Presentation of Exercise 1 (written

prior to Assessment Center)

10:45 - 11:00Candidate #4

presentation ofExercise #2 Free Exercise #2 Pres.

11:00 - 11:15Candidate #3

presentation ofExercise #2

Presentation of Exercise #2 Free

11:15 - 11:30Candidate #2 presentation Exercise #2 Free

Exercise #2 Presentation Free Facilities/Park Tour

(11:15-12:15) (11:15-12:15) (11:15 - 12:00)

11:30 - 11:45 Candidate #2 Panel Interview

Panel Interview (11:30-12:15)

11:45 - 12:15

12:15 - 1:00 Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch

1:00 - 1:15 Candidate #3 Free Free Panel Interview

Panel Interview (1:00-2:30) (1:00-1:45)

1:15 - 1:30 Free

(1:00-1:45)

1:30 - 1:45

1:45 - 2:30 Candidate #4 Panel Interview Facilites/Park Tour

(1:45-2:30)Panel Interview

(1:45-2:30)

2:30 - 3:15 Candidate #1 Panel Interview

Panel Interview (2:30-3:15) Free Facilities/Park Tour

(2:30-3:15) Free

(2:30-4:00) (2:30-4:00)

3:15 - 4:00Finalists'

recommendation to Board President

Free Free

4:00 - 6:00Assessors are now

done

Candidate must be available for Finalist Interview with Board

President

Candidate must be available for Finalist Interview with Board

President

Candidate must be available for Finalist Interview with Board

President

Candidate must be available for Finalist Interview with Board

President

Set Up Rooms Clean rooms & facilities Arrangement of furniture Stop disturbances Equipment & supplies ready

Rating Systems Notes with questions

– During & after interview note taking

Rating sheet Multiple interviewers measuring

same criteria (competencies) Ensures info isn’t forgotten Allows comparison of candidates

over a long period of time Sample….

Rating SheetConflict Management

5 4 3 2 1

Has adequate skill resolving differences & reaching agreement by maintaining a problem solving attitude

Has high level of skill resolving differences & reaching agreement by maintaining a problem solving attitude

Has little skill resolving differences & reaching agreement by maintaining a problem solving attitude

Rating SheetCommunication Skills

5 4 3 2 1

Asks & answers most questions clearly; displays adequate understanding of questions; demeanor is generally professional

Always asks & answers questions clearly; displays good understanding of questions; demeanor is highly professional & friendly

Questions & answers not clearly stated; often does not understand questions; demeanor is often unprofessional & unfriendly

Rating Sheet Legality Can be used in court

See agency policy on shredding

ISU– Shred all handwritten notes, all

electronic correspondence should be retained.

Search Committee Itinerary Welcome Introductions Background on the process & job

– who is being considered (number)– how long the process will take– expectations for completion– how notification will occur– how this interview will go forward

Setting the Stage

Search Committee Itinerary

Overview of the agency– general agency information– discussion of employee benefits– salary may fit here

Overview of the position

Interview questions

Body

Search Committee Itinerary Questions by

interviewee– Pre-assign

questions to committee members

Search Committee Itinerary Their questions

Closing the interview

– Reminder of time line– Thank you for your involvement– Call with questions

Wrap-up

Interview Tips…

Tips for the Interviewer Ask all candidates the same

questions

Probe for specifics…don’t settle for canned responses– Avoid yes/no questions

Interpret responses in terms of competencies

Tips for the Interviewer

Look for deficiencies What will hinder performance?

Schedule enough time for the interview

Let the candidate do the talking

Tips for the Interviewer

Avoid sitting behind a desk

Ask 1 question at a time– What was the most challenging

program you have ever planned? What made it challenging? What would you do differently next time?

Tips for the Interviewer

Don’t get flustered by silence– Let the candidate think

Don’t feel compelled to read the question word for word

Tips for the Interviewer Listen carefully, take good notes

Don’t let the candidate “wander” in response to a question – interrupt

Candidates should do the majority of the talking

Common Interview Errors

Common Interviewer Errors Make an evaluation of applicant

within first few minutes of interview (1st impression error)

Excessive talking by the interviewer, limiting info gained from the candidate

Common Interviewer Errors Allowing previous applicants to

influence rating of current applicant (contrast error)

Asking questions that are unrelated or only slightly related to the job

Common Interviewer Errors Inconsistency on questions asked of

applicants resulting in different types of info collected on each.

Inability to put candidate at ease making it difficult to get useful information

Common Interviewer Errors Rewarding the good interviewer vs.

the most qualified

Develop the interview schedule for one of

your positionsDetermine type of

interview & the schedule the candidate will follow