Once you have listed and advertised a position with the SEO via SEO JOBNET, students who are interested in the position will contact you. You should plan to set aside a specific amount of time to interview these students to determine which student is best suited for the position.
While selecting the right person for the right job is the basic purpose of any job interview, you can also utilize this opportunity to achieve other important goals. During the interview, employers and students should come to some mutual understanding of expectations. Additionally, you can obtain information that is not only vital to hiring students, but also beneficial in determining their future training and supervisory needs.
Beyond these objectives, the job interview is an important step in the student's progress toward becoming a confident and able participant in the world of work. For the student, the process of applying for a position and discussing his/her qualifications gives needed experience and confidence that will assist him/her in obtaining leave term and post-graduate employment. It is an important learning opportunity for the student.
Interviews should be structured to meet all of the above purposes. As with virtually all aspects of supervisory functions, individual adaptations need to be made to meet the needs of specific work assignments. But in general, the following outline of interview guidelines will benefit both supervisor and student:
Prepare for the interview: Review material provided in advance, know the student's name and general background if possible. If a resume is needed, notify the student. Keep in mind the specific assignment available and have appropriate materials describing the position on hand.
Establish a friendly atmosphere: Most job applicants are a bit nervous when applying for a position, devote a few moments to putting the student at ease with "small talk". Questions about leave term activities; the weather, etc. are usually good icebreakers. Be careful not to ask personal questions that do not apply to the job i.e. where are you from?
Secure basic information: The most logical starting point is to obtain the specific information needed, perhaps even confirming that which is on the job application (if you require one) or resume. ("I noted that you are involved in the Student Assembly," or "I understand that you worked in retail over your leave term.") As the student talks about education, training, and experience, it is important to listen carefully and to pose questions or comments that encourage elaboration.
Clarify information related to skills and talents: After the basic information has been obtained, further questions are often necessary to determine levels of skills or degrees of talent and examples of ways in which these have been manifested. It is best to have a list of questions that can be asked of all candidates. Questions can be open-ended ("Can you give me an example of...?"), or closed, requiring only a "yes" or "no" answer ("Can you operate a...?"). You need to be specific on necessary information concerning computer ability or other skills essential to the position. Do not assume anything.
Determine interests and attitudes: To determine how the student's personality will fit into the organizational structure, you can use "choice" or value questions, such as "What did you like the most and/or least about your last position?" or "Would you rather spend your time working in a team than independently?" A student who dislikes dealing with children, for example, should probably not be hired for a position in a day care center. Some of the other questions that will help you determine interests and attitudes are:
For more on behavioral interviewing, please click HERE.
Be aware of legal guidelines: Avoid discriminatory questions and statements such as "Do you think a girl like you can lift 50 pounds?" or "Will your disability interfere with the job?" You can obtain the information you seek in legal ways such as "As I stated on the Job Description Form, this job requires that you be able to lift 50 pounds easily. Are you able to do this and do you have any experience?" or "An essential function of this position is that the student assistant, answer the phones when the receptionist cannot. Do you have any experience in this area in an office setting? Do you think this is the kind of work you will enjoy?"
Provide Information: Give information on the department, essential functions of the job, standards expected, supervisory style, and other factors. You need to be clear about your personal expectations and to ask the student for responses, questions, or comments. Some points that should be discussed are:
