Interviewing Skills

Interviewing Skills HUMAN RESOURCES 10/25/2012

Interviewing Skills Human Resources Phone: 592-5226 Email: human.resources@westminster-mo.edu

Interviewing Skills Interviewing can be an effective tool in identifying the applicant who best meets the needs of your position. Asking the right job-related questions can help you get the right kinds of information. Here are some general guidelines on how to conduct an effective interview. Click to proceed

Facilitate Open Discussion Applicants should do at least 80% of the talking. How can I put applicants at ease? Click for answer

Set the Stage • Put Applicants at Ease Try to put applicants at ease at the beginning of the interview. Make them feel comfortable by sitting across from them, not behind your desk. Click to proceed

Set the Stage • Put Applicants at Ease 2. Address Candidates by Name Take time to familiarize yourself with the applicants’ names, skills, job history, etc. Show applicants that you are interested in what they have to offer to your institution. Click to proceed

Set the Stage • Put Applicants at Ease 2. Address Candidates by Name 3. Make sure you have a Diverse Interview Team If you are using an interview team, make sure the team is diverse in gender, race, and work duties. Your team should be available for all the scheduled interviews. Click to proceed

Set the Stage • Put Applicants at Ease 2. Address Candidates by Name 3. Make sure you have a Diverse Interview Team 4. Use your prepared Interview Questions The same questions should be asked of all applicants. Write your questions and expected answers ahead of time. Each member of your interview team should be familiar with the questions and anticipated answers. All questions should be job-related and non-discriminating. Let applicants know you will be taking notes during their interview. Click to proceed

Set the Stage • Put Applicants at Ease 2. Address Candidates by Name 3. Make sure you have a Diverse Interview Team 4. Use your prepared Interview Questions 5. Invite Questions from Applicants at the end Allow applicants to ask questions about the position and institution. If they ask about the duties of the position, give a realistic answer. Introduce applicants to the office and its staff. This is your opportunity to show that your office is a great place to work. Click to proceed

Set the Stage • Put Applicants at Ease 2. Address Candidates by Name 3. Make sure you have a Diverse Interview Team 4. Use your prepared Interview Questions 5. Invite Questions from Applicants at the end Remember, applicants should be doing 80% of the talking, and the interviewer(s) should be doing 20% of the talking. Click to proceed

Develop Job-Related Questions What type of questions should I ask during an interview? Click for answer

Job-Related Questions • Questions based on Job Duties Review the Position Description when preparing the interview questions. Questions should cover the minimum and preferred requirements for the position. Ask questions about the technical and personal skills necessary to fulfill the duties of the position. Click to proceed

Job-Related Questions • Questions based on Job Duties 2. Open-ended Questions Try to ask questions that will facilitate job-related discussion. Avoid questions that require a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer. Keep the questions open-ended so that applicants have the opportunity to speak freely and voice opinions. Click to proceed

Job-Related Questions • Questions based on Job Duties 2. Open-ended Questions 3. Past-performance Questions Ask questions about job-related situations the applicant may have experienced in the past. There is no better indication on how applicants will perform in the future than how they performed in the past. Question applicants about both positive and negative work situations, and how they handled each. Include questions about cooperation with co-workers, dealing with change, and taking directions. Click to proceed

Job-Related Questions • Questions based on Job Duties 2. Open-ended Questions 3. Past-performance Questions 4. Legal Questions Avoid questions that may have a discriminatory effect by screening out minority applicants, female candidates, older applicants, individuals with a disability, etc. Do not ask questions about applicants’ race, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, economic background, nationality, age or disabilities. Click to proceed

Unacceptable Question How many children do you have, and who is going to baby-sit? Acceptable Question: “ This job requires that you consistently be available to work 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Will that be a problem?” ! Click to proceed

Unacceptable Question Do you have a car? Acceptable Question: “This job requires that you consistently be available to work 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Will that be a problem?” ! Click to proceed

Unacceptable Question What is your maiden name or the names of your relatives? Acceptable Question: “In the jobs you have listed on your application, did you ever work under a different last name? ! Click to proceed

Unacceptable Question List all clubs, societies and lodges to which you belong. Acceptable Question: “List all relevant professional organizations in which you previously or currently participate?” ! Click to proceed

Unacceptable Question What is your maiden name or the names of your relatives? Acceptable Question: “In the jobs you have listed on your application, did you work under a different name?” ! Click to proceed

Unacceptable Question Have you ever been arrested? Acceptable Question: “Have you ever been convicted of a crime?” ! Click to proceed

Unacceptable Question Do you have any previous back injuries? Acceptable Question: “This position will require occasional lifting of heavy bags of mail. Will that be a problem?” ! Click to proceed

Unacceptable Question What type of discharge did you receive from the military? Acceptable Question: “What type of education, training, and work experience did you receive while in the military?” ! Click to proceed

Unacceptable Question List all clubs, societies and lodges to which you belong. Acceptable Question: “List all relevant professional organizations in which you previously or currently participate?” ! Click to proceed

Other Unacceptable Questions When did you graduate from high school? Do you intend to get married soon? Do you own your own home, or do you rent? Have you ever filed for worker’s compensation? What other languages do you know? (illegal unless job-related) Is you vision correctable to 20/20? Click to proceed

Interviewing Questions For a list of additional legal and illegal questions, read “Job Interview Questions - Dos and Don'ts” Human Resources welcomes any questions you might have when preparing your interview. HUMAN RESOURCES Phone: 592-5226 Email: human.resources@westminster-mo.edu

Interviewing Skills