Setting the Tone

 

 The key goals of employment interviews are:

• To find out as much as possible about what the applicants know
• To learn how they have applied and tested work skills
• To determine where their aptitudes lie

As you launch the interview:

• Confirm with the applicant that s/he is here to interview for XYZ position, in XYZ department, and restate the advertised hiring range (if appropriate) and ensure that they orally confirm their understanding of this.
  
  
• Give a high-level overview of the scope of duties and responsibilities associated with this position.
  
  
• Make the applicant aware of what you do at USF and how your position relates to the position for which s/he is interviewing.
  
  
• Provide information about your organizational structure.
  
  
• Notify the applicant you will be taking notes.
  
  
• Give the applicant your full attention. Ignore your electronic devices -- cell phone/tablet/pc/etc.

STAR INTERVIEW METHOD

It is appropriate to ask follow-up/clarifying questions; it is not appropriate to ask completely different questions of an applicant. A common method for follow-up questions is the STAR approach:

Situation	What was the business problem of goal? Who was involved? What were the budgetary considerations? What were the time constraints?
Task	What did you hope to achieve? How did you come to that conclusion? Who did you consult?
Action	What did you do? Who did you work with? What skills or experience did you draw upon? What obstacles did you encounter?
Result	What were the business results? What feedback did you receive? What did you learn from the experience?