Three Types of Interview Methods

8/13/2019 Three Types of Interview Methods

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JOBTALKS

Three Types of

Interview Methods

Indiana UniversityKelley School of Business

C. Randall Powell, Ph.D

Contents used in this presentation are adapted from Career Planning Strategiesand used with the permission of the author.



Interview Methods

Knowledge InfluencesResults



Three Basic Interview Methods

Traits (very common)

Behavioral (most common for professionalsCase (least common-professionals only)

Combination of above



What is a Trait Interview?

It is an interview used to summarizea person’s characteristics.

Attempts to understand people andtheir motivations.



Trait Interviews

Typical Question

– “What is your best quality?”

Typical Response

– “I’m a people person.”

– “I’m a hard worker.”



What is a Behavioral

Interview?

It is an interview designed toprobe the skills needed to

perform a specific job.



Behavior

Anything that a person doesthat can be observed andmeasured. The focus is to

predict, rather than tounderstand a behavior.



Traits vs. BehaviorDescriptions of Traits– “I am reliable.”

– “I am good with people.”

– “I am a leader.”

Descriptions of PastBehavior– “I have only missed one day

of work in 15 years.” – “Last week, I settled a

dispute between two co-

workers. They nowunderstand each other’sdifferences and are workingwell together.”

– I was elected president of(Student Organization) out of400 candidates. While I waspresident we increased

membership by 20%,instituted an assessment toolof our meetings , andcontinuously improved thequality of our meetings.”



Case Interviews

A way to assess a person’s ability tosynthesize information and recommend a

solution.

Assess Analytical Reasoning Ability

(used to assess high level professionals only)



Case Interviews

Typical Question

– “If you are the leader of a team and twomembers are constantly arguing, howwould you handle the situation?”



Interview Method Comparison

Trait Behavior Case

1. Traits become labels 1. Behavioral descriptions

discourage labeling,

stereotyping, or snap

judgements.

1. A case provides data to

assess technical, creativity

and decision makin skills.

2. There is a weak link

between data and

prediction

2. Prediction is directly

related to data.

2. A direct link with ability to

handle a case.

3. It is easy for candidates to

“fake good.”

3. It is difficult for candidates

to “fake good.”

3. It is difficult to “fake

good.”

4. All candidates try to sound

good, but difficult to

differentiate.

4. Candidates with varying

levels of skills are

identified.

4. Candidate skills are easily

identified.



Multinational Organizations

Using Behavioral Interviewing

Arthur Anderson

McDonalds

J.C. Penney

Citicorp

General Motors

Cummins Engine

Company

Eli Lilly

Coca Cola

Phillip Morris

Motorola

Ernst & Young

Kraft Foods

Etc. . . .



Why are so many organizations

using Behavioral Interviewing?

Improves the hiring decisions

Improves retentionReduces discrimination

Lowers recruiting costs



What Process Does An

Organization Use?

Job analysis

Consensus meeting

Rate skillsConduct interviews

Develop questions

Select critical skills



Starting Point: Job Analysis

Talk to subject matter experts(managers, peers, etc.)

Determine key responsibilities

Identify technical/job skills versus

performance skillsJob analysis is typically done by theHR department



Example: Business Analyst

at Target Corporation

Position: Business Analyst

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Inventory Management: Manages department(s) inventory to achieve department turnover goals. Manages

the Open to Buy (OTB) dollars and directs the inventory adjustments required to maximize sales, turnover

and profits.

2. Merchandise Allocation: Manages and maintains effective department(s) product flow and allocation forassigned product classification by store. Develops effective flow and allocation strategies and completes

analysis of sales history by season, adjacency, planogram, and class category/item. Maintains store in

stocks through the use of Target replenishment systems.

3. Financial Planning: Prepares and reviews with Buyer and seasonal, advertising, monthly sales, markdown

and inventory forecasts and plans for the department(s) or assigned product classifications.

4. Item/Assortment Planning: Directs and provides historical analysis for the development of

department/item/assortment plans to include volume, productivity, trends and “fit.”

5. Communications: Provides responsive communication to Stores, Vendors, Customers, Distribution Centers,Merchandise Planning, Buying and support pyramids.

6. Vendor Relations: Resolves freight shipment issues to maintain efficient supply of merchandise to the

Stores and Distribution Centers.

7. Special Projects: Participates in special projects and task forces for the company.



What Process Does a Company

Use?

Job analysis

Consensus meeting


Develop questions




Select Critical Skills

Prioritize top 6-8 technical vs.performance skills

Technical skills are specificknowledge or tools required toperform the job

Performance skills are transferableskills that can be used on any job

Develop definitions for each skill



Examples of Technical Skills

University Degree in ______

Excel, Dreamweaver, JavaCPA or CMA or JD

Language exams

Licenses



Examples of Performance Skills

Adaptability/flexibility

Analytical/problem solving

Decision making

Continuous learning and

growthCommitment to task/tenacity

Communication

Customer orientation

Tolerance of ambiguity

Goal setting

Teamwork/collaboration

Leadership

Initiative

Organization andplanning

People skills/interaction

Attention to detail

Assertiveness

CreativityVersatility



Merchandising at Target

Headquarters

SKILLS AND ABILITIES DESIRED

•College degree with above average grades

•Excellent analytical skills

•Strong planning and organizational skills

•Excellent verbal and written communication skills

•Strong computer skills in …_________________

•Retail experience or interest

•Demonstrated leadership skills

•Assertive and flexible








B i A l



Business Analyst

Characteristics

1) Number Skills - ability to quickly and accurately perform simplearithmetic computations and recognize relationships betweenquantities.

2) Reasoning/Creative Problem Solving Skills - ability to draw accurateconclusions from quantitative material, to recognize patterns, to gobeyond the numbers to their retail implications, and find the bestsolution possible. Ability to “think outside the box.”

3) Perceptiveness and Attention to Detail - tendency to “dig into thedetails” thoroughly, ability to recognize important details.

4) Organizing, Prioritizing, and Follow Through - ability to set effectivepriorities, keep orderly records, handle many tasks at once withoutletting things fall through the cracks, keep track of deadlines, follow-up.

B i A l t



Business Analyst

Characteristics5) People Skills - need not to be overly social or outgoing, but must

develop effective working relationships with manager, team members,merchandising and the field.

6) Assertive Communication Skills (oral and written) - ability to get pointacross effectively, concisely and authoritatively.

7) System Aptitude - tolerance of computer work, aptitude to experimentwith systems.

8) Ability to Work Under Pressure - ability to operate effectively undertime constraints, changing priorities and maintain equilibrium under

pressure from others.

9) Motivation - tendency to work hard, put forth extra effort and producehigh volumes of work efficiently.




Use?

Job analysis

Consensus meeting


Develop questions




Develop Questions

The purpose of questions is togenerate responses that can be usedto evaluate an individuals job-related

skills

Several open ended questions will bedeveloped for every skill identified



Examples of Questions

– Enumerate the analytical tools with which

you feel competent. Then give me anexample which shows your ability to useanalytical techniques to define problems ordesign solutions.

– Give me an example of a time when youhave used tools such as survey data libraryresearch, or statistics.

Analytical Skills



Prepare Questions

Decision making

Initiative

TeamworkCommunication

Continuous learning and growth



Decision Making

- What process do you use to makedecisions?

-- How do you go about collecting data?

--- Who do you involve in makingdecisions or collecting data?

---- Give me an example of a

difficult decision you havemade?



Communication

- What has been your experience in makingpresentations or speeches?

-- Tell me about a specific experience of yours

that illustrates your ability to influence

another person?

--- How important are verbal communications

skills?

----What results have you seen from goodcommunication?




Use?

Job analysis

Consensus meeting


Develop questions




Conduct a 30-minute Interview

Introduction

Overview of company and position

Questioning of candidate skillsTime for candidate to ask questions

Close and next steps




Use?

Job analysis

Consensus meeting

Rate skills Conduct interviews

Develop questions




Analytical Skill Question

Question:

Enumerate the analytical tools withwhich you feel competent. Then giveme an example which shows yourability to use analytical techniques todefine problems or design solutions.



Examples of Answers:

I’m good at Excel and have doneseveral spreadsheets during myinternship.




I’m proficient at Excel, and many othersoftware programs. During my internshipthis summer with Supercorp, I realized thatthe profit margins were low on several

products. I created a spreadsheet for allproducts that showed gross sales,allowances, net sales, COGS, and grossmargin by product. The controller liked it so

well that I was asked to present it to thesales team and explain what the data meantand how they could use it while making theirsales decisions.



Which response is best and

why?



STAR

Situation/Task

–Explains the circumstances

Action–Describes what the person did

R esult

–Describes the outcome of theaction




I’m good at Excel and have doneseveral spreadsheets during myinternship.

Situation/Task - Poor

Action - Weak

R esult - None




I’m proficient at Excel, and many othersoftware programs. During myinternship this summer withSupercorp, I realized that the profit

margins were low on several products.I created a spreadsheet for all productsthat showed gross sales, allowances,net sales, COGS, and gross margin by

product. The controller liked it so wellthat I was asked to present it to thesales team and explain what the datameant and how they could use it whilemaking their sales decisions.

ST

A

R



Interview Rating Sheet

Position _________________ Name of Candidate __________________

Date ___________________ Name of Interviewer __________________

The Performance Skills Strong A lot of Some Little No

to be evaluated include: Evidence Evidence Evidence Evidence Evidence

1. _________________

2. _________________

3. _________________

4. _________________

5. _________________

6. _________________



Interview Rating Sheet

The Technical/Job Skills Strong A lot of Some Little No

to be evaluated include: Evidence Evidence Evidence Evidence Evidence

1. _________________

2. _________________3. _________________

4. _________________

5. _________________

6. _________________

Recommendation: Hire/Promote ________ Not Hire/Promote _______

Reason for Recommendation:_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Wh t P D C




Use?

Job analysis

Consensus meeting


Develop questions




Consensus Meeting

Candidates

Skills Joe Lisa Chris John Sarah

_________________

_________________ _________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

Total:

Analytical



Interview Tips

Advance Preparation

–Research company & industry

–Know your goals

–Know yourself

Turn a Trait Interview into a BehavioralInterview

Prepare Star ResponsesPrepare Questions



If you would like tolearn more, CareerPlanning

Strategies textbookwill supply additionalinformation on thistopic.

Three Types of Interview Methods

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