JOBTALKS Three Types of Interview Methods Indiana University Kelley School of Business C. Randall...

JOBTALKSJOBTALKS

Three Types of Interview Methods

Indiana UniversityKelley School of BusinessC. Randall Powell, Ph.D

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

Interview Methods Interview Methods Knowledge Influences Knowledge Influences

ResultsResults

Three Basic Interview MethodsThree Basic Interview Methods

Traits (very common)Traits (very common)

Behavioral (most common for professionals)Behavioral (most common for professionals)

Case (least common-professionals only)Case (least common-professionals only)

Combination of aboveCombination of above

What is a Trait Interview?What is a Trait Interview?

It is an interview used to summarize It is an interview used to summarize a person’s characteristics.a person’s characteristics.

Attempts to Attempts to understandunderstand people and people and their motivations.their motivations.

Trait InterviewsTrait Interviews

Typical QuestionTypical Question– ““What is your best quality?”What is your best quality?”

Typical ResponseTypical Response– ““I’m a people person.”I’m a people person.”– ““I’m a hard worker.”I’m a hard worker.”

What is a Behavioral What is a Behavioral Interview?Interview?

It is an interview designed to It is an interview designed to probe the skills needed to probe the skills needed to

perform a specific job.perform a specific job.

BehaviorBehavior

Anything that a person does Anything that a person does that can be observed and that can be observed and measured. The focus is to measured. The focus is to predictpredict, rather than to , rather than to understand a behavior.understand a behavior.

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

– ““I am good with people.”I am good with people.”

– ““I am a leader.”I am a leader.”

Descriptions of Past Descriptions of Past BehaviorBehavior– ““I have only missed one day I have only missed one day

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

between two co-workers. between two co-workers. They now understand each They now understand each other’s differences and are other’s differences and are working well together.”working well together.”

– I was elected president of I was elected president of (Student Organization) out of (Student Organization) out of 400 candidates. While I was 400 candidates. While I was president we increased president we increased membership by 20%, membership by 20%, instituted an assessment tool instituted an assessment tool of our meetings , and of our meetings , and continuously improved the continuously improved the quality of our meetings.”quality of our meetings.”

Case InterviewsCase Interviews

A way to assess a person’s ability to A way to assess a person’s ability to synthesize information and recommend a synthesize information and recommend a solution.solution.

Assess Analytical Reasoning AbilityAssess Analytical Reasoning Ability

(used to assess high level professionals only)(used to assess high level professionals only)

Case InterviewsCase Interviews

Typical QuestionTypical Question– ““If you are the leader of a team and two If you are the leader of a team and two

members are constantly arguing, how members are constantly arguing, how would you handle the situation?”would you handle the situation?”

Interview Method ComparisonInterview Method ComparisonTrait Behavior Case

1. Traits become labels 1. Behavioral descriptionsdiscourage labeling,stereotyping, or snapjudgements.

1. A case provides data toassess technical, creativityand decision making skills.

2. There is a weak linkbetween data andprediction

2. Prediction is directlyrelated to data.

2. A direct link with ability tohandle a case.

3. It is easy for candidates to“fake good.”

3. It is difficult for candidatesto “fake good.”

3. It is difficult to “fakegood.”

4. All candidates try to soundgood, but difficult todifferentiate.

4. Candidates with varyinglevels of skills areidentified.

4. Candidate skills are easilyidentified.

Multinational Organizations Multinational Organizations Using Behavioral InterviewingUsing Behavioral InterviewingArthur AndersonArthur Anderson

McDonaldsMcDonalds

J.C. PenneyJ.C. Penney

CiticorpCiticorp

General MotorsGeneral Motors

Cummins Engine Cummins Engine CompanyCompany

Eli LillyEli Lilly

Coca ColaCoca Cola

Phillip MorrisPhillip Morris

MotorolaMotorola

Ernst & YoungErnst & Young

Kraft FoodsKraft Foods

Etc. . . .

Why are so many organizations Why are so many organizations using Behavioral Interviewing?using Behavioral Interviewing?

Improves the hiring decisionsImproves the hiring decisions

Improves retentionImproves retention

Reduces discriminationReduces discrimination

Lowers recruiting costsLowers recruiting costs

What Process Does An What Process Does An Organization Use?Organization Use?

Job analysisJob analysis

Consensus meetingConsensus meetingRate skillsRate skills

Conduct interviewsConduct interviews

Develop questionsDevelop questions

Select critical skillsSelect critical skills

Starting Point: Job AnalysisStarting Point: Job Analysis

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

Determine key responsibilitiesDetermine key responsibilities

Identify technical/job skills versus Identify technical/job skills versus performance skillsperformance skills

Job analysis is typically done by the Job analysis is typically done by the HR departmentHR department

Example: Example: Business AnalystBusiness Analyst at Target Corporationat Target Corporation

Position:Position: Business AnalystBusiness Analyst

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESDUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1.1. Inventory Management: Manages department(s) inventory to achieve department turnover goals. Manages 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 the Open to Buy (OTB) dollars and directs the inventory adjustments required to maximize sales, turnover and profits.and profits.

2.2. Merchandise Allocation: Manages and maintains effective department(s) product flow and allocation for Merchandise Allocation: Manages and maintains effective department(s) product flow and allocation for assigned product classification by store. Develops effective flow and allocation strategies and completes assigned 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 analysis of sales history by season, adjacency, planogram, and class category/item. Maintains store in stocks through the use of Target replenishment systems.stocks through the use of Target replenishment systems.

3.3. Financial Planning: Prepares and reviews with Buyer and seasonal, advertising, monthly sales, markdown 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.and inventory forecasts and plans for the department(s) or assigned product classifications.

4.4. Item/Assortment Planning: Directs and provides historical analysis for the development of Item/Assortment Planning: Directs and provides historical analysis for the development of department/item/assortment plans to include volume, productivity, trends and “fit.”department/item/assortment plans to include volume, productivity, trends and “fit.”

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

6.6. Vendor Relations: Resolves freight shipment issues to maintain efficient supply of merchandise to the Vendor Relations: Resolves freight shipment issues to maintain efficient supply of merchandise to the Stores and Distribution Centers.Stores and Distribution Centers.

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

What Process Does a Company What Process Does a Company Use?Use?






Select Critical SkillsSelect Critical Skills

Prioritize top 6-8 technical vs. Prioritize top 6-8 technical vs. performance skillsperformance skills

Technical skills are specific Technical skills are specific knowledge or tools required to knowledge or tools required to perform the jobperform the job

Performance skills are transferable Performance skills are transferable skills that can be used on any jobskills that can be used on any job

Develop definitions for each skillDevelop definitions for each skill

Examples of Technical SkillsExamples of Technical Skills

University Degree in ______University Degree in ______

Excel, Dreamweaver, JavaExcel, Dreamweaver, Java

CPA or CMA or JDCPA or CMA or JD

Language examsLanguage exams

LicensesLicenses

Examples of Performance SkillsExamples of Performance SkillsAdaptability/flexibilityAdaptability/flexibility

Analytical/problem solvingAnalytical/problem solving

Decision makingDecision making

Continuous learning and Continuous learning and growthgrowth

Commitment to task/tenacityCommitment to task/tenacity

CommunicationCommunication

Customer orientationCustomer orientation

Tolerance of ambiguityTolerance of ambiguity

Goal settingGoal setting

Teamwork/collaborationTeamwork/collaboration

LeadershipLeadership

InitiativeInitiative

Organization and Organization and planningplanning

People skills/interactionPeople skills/interaction

Attention to detailAttention to detail

AssertivenessAssertiveness

CreativityCreativity

VersatilityVersatility

Merchandising at Target Merchandising at Target HeadquartersHeadquarters

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

Business Analyst Business Analyst CharacteristicsCharacteristics

1)1) Number SkillsNumber Skills - ability to quickly and accurately perform simple - ability to quickly and accurately perform simple arithmetic computations and recognize relationships between arithmetic computations and recognize relationships between quantities.quantities.

2)2) Reasoning/Creative Problem Solving SkillsReasoning/Creative Problem Solving Skills - ability to draw accurate - ability to draw accurate conclusions from quantitative material, to recognize patterns, to go conclusions from quantitative material, to recognize patterns, to go beyond the numbers to their retail implications, and find the best beyond the numbers to their retail implications, and find the best solution possible. Ability to “think outside the box.”solution possible. Ability to “think outside the box.”

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

4)4) Organizing, Prioritizing, and Follow ThroughOrganizing, Prioritizing, and Follow Through - ability to set effective - ability to set effective priorities, keep orderly records, handle many tasks at once without priorities, keep orderly records, handle many tasks at once without letting things fall through the cracks, keep track of deadlines, follow-up.letting things fall through the cracks, keep track of deadlines, follow-up.

Business Analyst Business Analyst CharacteristicsCharacteristics

5)5) People SkillsPeople Skills - need not to be overly social or outgoing, but must - need not to be overly social or outgoing, but must develop effective working relationships with manager, team members, develop effective working relationships with manager, team members, merchandising and the field.merchandising and the field.

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

7)7) System AptitudeSystem Aptitude - tolerance of computer work, aptitude to experiment - tolerance of computer work, aptitude to experiment with systems.with systems.

8)8) Ability to Work Under PressureAbility to Work Under Pressure - ability to operate effectively under - ability to operate effectively under time constraints, changing priorities and maintain equilibrium under time constraints, changing priorities and maintain equilibrium under pressure from others.pressure from others.

9)9) MotivationMotivation - tendency to work hard, put forth extra effort and produce - tendency to work hard, put forth extra effort and produce high volumes of work efficiently.high volumes of work efficiently.

Develop QuestionsDevelop Questions

The purpose of questions is to The purpose of questions is to generate responses that can be used generate responses that can be used to evaluate an individuals job-related to evaluate an individuals job-related skillsskills

Several open ended questions will be Several open ended questions will be developed for every skill identifieddeveloped for every skill identified

Examples of QuestionsExamples of Questions

– Enumerate the analytical tools with which Enumerate the analytical tools with which you feel competent. Then give me an you feel competent. Then give me an example which shows your ability to use example which shows your ability to use analytical techniques to define problems or analytical techniques to define problems or design solutions.design solutions.

– Give me an example of a time when you Give me an example of a time when you have used tools such as survey data library have used tools such as survey data library research, or statistics.research, or statistics.

Analytical Skills

Prepare QuestionsPrepare Questions

Decision makingDecision making

InitiativeInitiative

TeamworkTeamwork

CommunicationCommunication

Continuous learning and growthContinuous learning and growth

Decision MakingDecision Making- What process do you use to make - What process do you use to make

decisions?decisions?

-- How do you go about collecting data?-- How do you go about collecting data?

--- Who do you involve in making--- Who do you involve in making

decisions or collecting data?decisions or collecting data?

---- Give me an example of a---- Give me an example of a

difficult decision you havedifficult decision you have

made?made?

CommunicationCommunication- What has been your experience in making - What has been your experience in making

presentations or speeches?presentations or speeches?

-- Tell me about a specific experience of yours-- Tell me about a specific experience of yours

that illustrates your ability to influencethat illustrates your ability to influence

another person?another person?

--- How important are verbal --- How important are verbal communicationscommunications

skills?skills?

----What results have you seen from ----What results have you seen from goodgood

communication?communication?

Conduct a 30-minute InterviewConduct a 30-minute Interview

IntroductionIntroduction

Overview of company and positionOverview of company and position

Questioning of candidate skillsQuestioning of candidate skills

Time for candidate to ask questionsTime for candidate to ask questions

Close and next stepsClose and next steps

Analytical Skill QuestionAnalytical Skill Question

Question:Question:

Enumerate the analytical tools with Enumerate the analytical tools with which you feel competent. Then give which you feel competent. Then give me an example which shows your me an example which shows your ability to use analytical techniques to ability to use analytical techniques to define problems or design solutions.define problems or design solutions.

Examples of Answers:Examples of Answers:

I’m good at Excel and have done I’m good at Excel and have done several spreadsheets during my several spreadsheets during my internship.internship.

Examples of Answers:Examples of Answers:I’m proficient at Excel, and many other I’m proficient at Excel, and many other software programs. During my internship software programs. During my internship this summer with Supercorp, I realized that this summer with Supercorp, I realized that the profit margins were low on several the profit margins were low on several products. I created a spreadsheet for all products. I created a spreadsheet for all products that showed gross sales, products that showed gross sales, allowances, net sales, COGS, and gross allowances, net sales, COGS, and gross margin by product. The controller liked it so margin by product. The controller liked it so well that I was asked to present it to the well that I was asked to present it to the sales team and explain what the data meant sales team and explain what the data meant and how they could use it while making their and how they could use it while making their sales decisions.sales decisions.

Which response is best and Which response is best and why?why?

STARSTARSSituation/ituation/TTaskask

– Explains the circumstancesExplains the circumstances

AActionction– Describes what the person didDescribes what the person did

RResultesult– Describes the outcome of the Describes the outcome of the

actionaction

Examples of Answers:Examples of Answers:

I’m good at Excel and have done I’m good at Excel and have done several spreadsheets during my several spreadsheets during my internship.internship.

SSituation/ituation/TTask -ask - PoorPoor

AAction -ction - WeakWeak

RResult - esult - NoneNone

Examples of Answers:Examples of Answers:I’m proficient at Excel, and many other I’m proficient at Excel, and many other software programs. During my software programs. During my internship this summer with Supercorp, internship this summer with Supercorp, I realized that the profit margins were I realized that the profit margins were low on several products. I created a low on several products. I created a spreadsheet for all products that spreadsheet for all products that showed gross sales, allowances, net showed gross sales, allowances, net sales, COGS, and gross margin by sales, COGS, and gross margin by product. The controller liked it so well product. The controller liked it so well that I was asked to present it to the that I was asked to present it to the sales team and explain what the data sales team and explain what the data meant and how they could use it while meant and how they could use it while making their sales decisions.making their sales decisions.

ST

A

R

Interview Rating SheetInterview Rating SheetPosition _________________ Name of Candidate __________________Date ___________________ Name of Interviewer __________________

The Performance Skills Strong A lot of Some Little Noto be evaluated include: Evidence Evidence Evidence Evidence Evidence

1. _________________2. _________________3. _________________4. _________________5. _________________6. _________________

Interview Rating SheetInterview Rating Sheet

The Technical/Job Skills Strong A lot of Some Little Noto be evaluated include: Evidence Evidence Evidence Evidence Evidence

1. _________________2. _________________3. _________________4. _________________5. _________________6. _________________

Recommendation: Hire/Promote ________ Not Hire/Promote _______

Reason for Recommendation:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Consensus MeetingConsensus Meeting

CandidatesSkills Joe Lisa Chris John Sarah

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Total:

Analytical

Interview TipsInterview TipsAdvance PreparationAdvance Preparation– Research company & industryResearch company & industry– Know your goalsKnow your goals– Know yourselfKnow yourself

Turn a Trait Interview into a Behavioral Turn a Trait Interview into a Behavioral InterviewInterview

Prepare Star ResponsesPrepare Star Responses

Prepare QuestionsPrepare Questions

If you would like to If you would like to learn more, learn more, Career Career Planning Planning StrategiesStrategies textbook textbook will supply additional will supply additional information on this information on this topic.topic.

JOBTALKS Three Types of Interview Methods Indiana University Kelley School of Business C. Randall...

Documents

Transcript of JOBTALKS Three Types of Interview Methods Indiana University Kelley School of Business C. Randall...