Departments are responsible for conducting screenings and interviews to identify qualified candidate(s) for further consideration.

Managers should –

• Screen applicants objectively and consistently.
• Review all applicants who meet position requirements.
• Identify candidates they are interested in interviewing.

Possible screening/interview steps - 

• Phone screen - typically, managers should conduct a preliminary phone screen for candidates they are interested in pursuing.
  • Helpful phone screen questions   
• Interview - after phone screen, managers should narrow pool to 3-5 candidates selected for in-person interviews.  
• Additional interview(s) - depending on the position, there may be several rounds of interviews.  This is decided by individual departments. 

Note - if prior interviews were only via phone or video, if feasible, encourage in-person interviews.

When preparing and conducting interviews, managers should –

• Follow department guidelines and include necessary key stakeholders.
• Provide interview team with job description and application materials.
• Develop a structured interview process that includes standard job-related interview questions. Questions should be the same for all candidates
  • Helpful interview questions 
  • Using behavioral interview questions can help provide additional insight on how a candidate has demonstrated the required competencies in the past.
  • Asking follow-up questions can help address unclear or incomplete responses.
• Avoid questions designed to solicit information about candidate’s race, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, or family/childcare situation.
• Provide all candidates with clear, consistent information about selection process.
• Allow candidates to ask questions.
• As a courtesy, managers are encouraged to interview internal candidates who meet minimum qualifications.
• Ask for feedback if including others in interview process.

Managers can always go back to candidate pool and review candidate(s) again if necessary.