RATE YOUR INTERVIEWING SKILLS
As Hiring Authorities your job is more complicated than most may think. The following are 3 Categories that separate The Above Average, The Average and The Below Average Interviewer. These Categories are assessing the overall professionalism of the interviews you conduct. Try to evaluate yourself honestly!
ABOVE AVERAGE
*Level of Preparation-Read resume, prepared performance-based job description, conduct initial interviews by phone, prepare question based on their experience.
*Length of Interview-1 Hour, having at least 5 interviews scheduled.
*Basic Interviewing Skills- Take notes, listen twice as much as talk, get examples from your candidate, ask good questions.
*Length of Time to Make a Decision- More than 40 to 45 minutes to make an informed decision.
*Assessment of Candidates- Used benchmark experience on all candidates. Look for traits such as energy and talent. Look at the past 5 to 7 years for examples of those traits.
*Have a Set List of the Top 3-4 Performance Objectives-Search for patterns of past top performance objectives.
*Overall Quality of Interview- At least 4 of the above categories rates you Above Average. If 3 of the above categories are Above Average you are still rated Above Average to Average. CONGRATULATIONS – if you rated yourself in this category then you are successful when you are conducting interviews. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!
AVERAGE
*Level of Preparation- Read resume before interview and briefly review the job specs.
*Length of Interview- 30 to 45 minutes.
*Basic Interviewing Skills- Accomplished “some” of the skills listed above.
*Length of Time to Make a Decision- 15 to30 minutes.
*Assessment of Candidates- Partially measured core traits.
*Have a Set List of the Top 3-4 Performance Objectives-Compared a few of the job requirements with the candidates past experience.
*Overall Quality of Interview- At least 1 or 2 of the above categories rates you Above Average. The remaining categories need to be Average. Most likely you are successful with your interviews. Implementing some of the qualities listed above will only IMPROVE your current skills!
BELOW AVERAGE
*Level of Preparation- No preparation.
*Length of Interview- Less than 30 minutes.
*Basic Interviewing Skills- Relied more on your “gut” feelings rather than facts.
*Length of Time to Make a Decision- In less than 10 minutes you “knew”.
*Assessment of Candidates- Based decision on level of energy displayed during the interview.
*Have a Set List of the Top 3-4 Performance Objectives-Did not compare past experience with job specs.
*Overall Quality of Interview- Did not rate in the Above Average or Average categories.
If your overall performance is Below Average you need some work. On the positive side, the only place to go is UP!
These, of course, are generalities and can be used a Guideline. It is challenging to assess your own skills. The only way to improve is to be as objective as you can when rating yourself. GOOD LUCK!
Nancy J. Phillips, CPC
