Human Resources

Having a pleasant, comfortable, and private environment for the interview is essential. It reduces the stress for the candidate and allows the committee to get down to business without interruptions. The closer the candidate sits to the interviewer(s), the better the communication process will likely be. Keep in mind, however, that the acceptable distance between two people varies by culture and interpersonal comfort.

Candidate's Name:

Time and Date of Interview:

• Establish Rapport: The search committee chair's first role is that of the host. A warm greeting and a suitable introduction stating names and titles will help establish rapport. Offering refreshments to the candidate is appropriate.
• Explain the Purpose and Set Agenda: The search committee chair will inform the candidate that NDSCS electronically records all interviews. Tell the applicant the scheduled length of the interview and the order in which it will be conducted, i.e. talk about NDSCS and the position, ask interview questions, and allow the applicant to ask questions.

Suggestions: The interview is to serve as a two-way exchange of information and perspectives, and "we are happy to respond to questions the candidate may have about NDSCS as well as asking a number of questions of our own."

Time frame for interview (For example: " we have one hour for our questions and fifteen minutes in which you can ask us questions. There are 17 questions we'd like to ask.") The hiring official will encourage the candidate to be concise so that there is sufficient time cover all questions. "We want to be thorough without being lengthy and have time for your questions at the end".

Briefly summarize time frames for notifying candidates of outcomes and that Human Resources will contact them. If two interviews are to be conducted: The hiring official will explain that after the completion of the interviews, the search committee will recommend finalists for the second interview. If one interview is to be conducted: The hiring official will explain that after completion of the interviews, a decision will be made.

• Once the candidate has been seated and the hiring official has 'broken the ice', the Committee members primary tasks are to listen attentively and to jot down notes on the candidate's responses.
• Each question will be "assigned" to an individual Committee member to insure that all candidates are asked the same questions. Each member will begin by introducing self prior to asking assigned question. For multiple part questions, the Committee member will indicate that there are "several parts to the question" and "I am happy to repeat any sub-questions".
• If candidate's answers are too lengthy, the timekeeper may ask the members to eliminate their follow up questions.

• At conclusion of committee's questions, the hiring official will indicate: We've come to the end of our prepared questions and you have XXX minutes to ask us questions. We would like to turn the floor over to you.
• Later, with 2 minutes remaining: "Would you like to make a closing statement?"
• The search committee chair will thank the candidate for their time and interest in NDSCS.
• The search committee chair will remind the candidate to contact Human Resources with any questions they may have.
• It is discourteous to close the door behind a departing candidate and immediately begin rushing to judgement. The search committee will take a brief break at the conclusion of the conversation. The search committee chair will walk the candidate to the Human Resources Office for follow up. After the brief break, the committee will immediately share its views on the candidate's strengths and weaknesses.
• The committee's summary comments (strengths/concerns) and other information will be entered by the search committee chair on the Interview Report.
• The candidate's application materials and interview report will be collected by Human Resources.
• The interview report will be forwarded with the application materials to the final interview stage.
• The search committee chair will remind the committee of the ground rules.