Title: E-5
Author: RCDingmann
Last saved by: OEA Graduate Assistant - Emma Keehr

CONDUCTING THE FORMAL INTERVIEW (Telephone and Campus) 
In preparation for the telephone and campus interviews, committee members should review the position description and the vacancy notice for specific knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the position. Review the applicant's resume, cover letter, and any other pertinent material. Note areas that may need clarification or further inquiry. In short, do your homework. 
Follow a structured interview plan. This will help achieve fairness, equity, and consistency in interviewing. Discriminatory behavior is improper even if it occurs inadvertently 
Formal Interview Format 
1.	The chair (or committee member if this is a telephone interview) begins by introducing her/himself to the applicant. Other committee members present should also be introduced. 
2.	Explain to the applicant the purpose, format, and agenda of the interview. Give the applicant a moment to become comfortable and have an idea of what will be happening. Note-taking by committee members is encouraged as an aid to recall and to ensure accuracy. However, it should be explained ahead of time to the applicant that notes will be taken and why. All notes become part of the committee file and should be forwarded to the committee chair at the close of the search. 
3.	Be professional and consistent when addressing all candidates. If first names are used, do so for all candidates. If not, then use the appropriate professional title. 
4.	Briefly review the position and, in general, what will be expected of the successful applicant. OnIy job- related/professional information and questions are appropriate. See Search Committee Training Manual page for a list of acceptable and unacceptable questions to ask during interviews.
5.	As the committee proceeds with the interview, listen carefully and allow the applicant sufficient time to respond to inquiries. If the applicant tends to answer excessively, the chair should interrupt and move on to the next area of inquiry. It is a good idea to assign a committee member to act a time keeper. Let the candidate know up front how much time they have to respond to each question. The key is to combine good listening with good use of questions. These guide the interview and make it possible for the committee to better evaluate the applicant's responses. 
6.	Conclude the interview. Thank the applicant for taking the time to meet with the committee and tell they/them what will be happening next. 

Pluses and Pitfalls in Conducting the Interview 
1.	As a general rule, if the committee members talk as much as 50% of the time, they are monopolizing the interview. Ideally, 75% of the comments should come from the applicant. The committee's job in the formal interview is to listen and evaluate. 
2.	To avoid the appearance of an "interrogation", do not focus exclusively on the prepared questions. 
It is appropriate to make comments interspersed between questions in order to establish the pace of the interview and to encourage a dialog or discussion between the applicant and the committee. For example, the chair may make a statement about student advising and ask the applicant to give the committee her/his thoughts on the subject. 
3.	Avoid asking questions that require only a "yes” or "no” answer. Ask questions that encourage the applicant to share ideas and information.  Personal questions are not appropriate; this is an assessment of the person’s professional qualifications.
                         Revised 7/25/19