CONCEPTS
In our last article, we discussed the three main portions of an interview. Now, let’s turn our attention to what an interview board is primarily looking for in a candidate and discuss four types of concepts that must be evaluated during an interview.
1. INTERVIEW BOARDS MUST ASK THREE BASIC QUESTIONS
Generally, civil service rules require interview boards to ask three basic questions during the interview period. These questions can take many different forms, but they must still be asked to enable the board to evaluate the following:
- What are your qualifications and how are you qualified for the new position?
It is difficult to be rated unless your qualifications, abilities, background, and other similar traits are communicated to the interview board. As an example, assume General Electric is interviewing for a person to build electric motors. During the interview, do you think the board will question you on your qualifications and abilities necessary to build electric motors? Absolutely! Therefore, civil service interviews are no different. However, it is interesting that this concept is frequently “hidden” in subtle questions such as:
* “Tell us about yourself”
* “Give us an overview of your background”
* “How have you prepared for this promotion”
* “Where have you worked” - What is the new position you are interviewing for?
It is difficult to impossible to rate your knowledge of the position you are interviewing for unless you are given the opportunity to display your knowledge of the new position. Amazingly, few candidates can succinctly define the position they are applying for. Before you ever step into a promotional interview, ask yourself the following question “what is the definition of the position I am applying for?” - Is There Anything Else You Would Like To Say?
This question is mandatory due to the fact that interview boards must give you a chance to say everything you wanted to say. This question also avoids a potential protest after the interview is concluded and is based on the concept of a potential allegation that you did not have an opportunity to say something you felt was vitally important. So, when you say “thanks, the past half hour has been a slice of paradise,” you have in effect said “I have said it all and you have given me a chance to say everything I wanted to say.”
2. INTERVIEW BOARDS ARE LOOKING FOR CANDIDATES WHO UNDERSTAND THE POSITION THEY ARE APPLYING FOR
Let’s approach this concept from two different yet interrelated perspectives. First, assume your interview is for the position of Captain. Are you prepared to tell an interview board what the position of Captain is? Remember that in the previous section the word succinctly was used? Webster’s Dictionary defines succinctly as “clearly and briefly”, and “concise and to the point in speaking”. If you are unable to define the position you are seeking, how are you going to convince the interview board you are ready for the position if you don’t know what it is? Therefore, you should be able to look the interview board members in the eye and confidently say the position of Captain (or any other position you are applying for) is comprised of the following elements and then briefly list them!
To develop a basic understanding of the position of Captain (or any other position), consider the position as comprised of two parts; technical and practical. First, refer to the Job Announcement Bulletin for the technical definition. Next, interview various Captains (that you respect) to determine what their responsibilities and daily activities consist of. This will provide a practical definition of the position of Captain. This concept will be expanded in a future article.
Secondly, put yourself in the position you are interviewing for. Assume you are presently a firefighter interviewing for the position of Lieutenant. Take yourself out of the “locker room”, and put yourself in the Lieutenant’s seat. It is extremely important to answer appropriate questions from the perspective of “As a Lieutenant, I would…………” This not only indicates to the interview board that you are thinking as a Lieutenant, but more importantly, you are ready for the promotion!
We will continue with this concept in our next article.
