VCOM Institutional Policy and Procedure Manual

VCOM Policy and Procedure

Policy #U024

Appendix A Interviewing Job Applicants: Acceptable versus Unacceptable Questions

Interviewers should evaluate the effectiveness of each interview question before meeting with applicants. Questions should be job-related and focus on applicants’ qualifications, skills, and competence in satisfying the requirements in the position description. Here are examples of effective questions to ask job candidates (Apodaca, 2011): 1. “What particular skills or experiences make you the best match for this position?” 2. “Where does this position fall along your career path?” 3. “What aspects of your previous position did you find most professionally challenging?” or “What would your difficult past client say you could do to improve service delivery?” 4. “What kinds of professional development would make you a more-effective worker?” or “What areas of training would your past supervisor say you would benefit from the most?” The following reference chart is from “Guidelines on Interview and Employment Application Questions” by the Society of Human Resource Management. The chart compares acceptable and unacceptable questions to ask job applicants. Interviewers should avoid rephrasing questions in ways that may be viewed as discriminatory. Topic Acceptable Question Unacceptable Question If unacceptable, what is the reason Attendance/Reliability What hours and days can you work? How many children to you have? Can be viewed as discriminatory towards females. Attendance/Reliability Are there specific times you cannot work? What religion are you? Can be viewed as religious discrimination Attendance/Reliability Do you have a reliable method of getting to work? Do you own a car? Can be viewed as racial discrimination Attendance/Reliability Do you have

What are your child care arrangements?

Can be viewed as discriminatory towards females

responsibilities other than work that will interfere with the specific job requirements such as traveling?

VCOM Policy on Administrative Staff, Classified Staff, and Select Wage Employees Recruitment

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