Job Interview Preparation for a Specialized Position

A hiring selection committee consists of members who collaborate with others throughout the entire recruitment process to evaluate qualified candidates. Most often, the entire selection committee will be present at every step of the selection process, from applicant interviews to job offers and beyond. This group of individuals are key players in the organization’s ability to find the most effective candidates for each open position. If this committee consists of competent, savvy leaders, then the organization will be able to save tremendous amounts of time and money by selecting the very best people for the job.

Leaders within a company need to be willing to listen to any candidate offer and provide input into the hiring process. In addition, the members on a selection committee must be skilled in negotiation and delegate their responsibilities accordingly. These members also need to be available to provide input to the hiring manager if the hiring manager needs it.

This group has the important role of overseeing the entire hiring process. Because these members are hired not only to make hiring decisions, but also to monitor candidate performance, their opinions will prove valuable. Their feedback can help to improve the hiring process and help to create an environment that is safe, secure, and free from harassment.

The members of a hiring selection committee should understand that they are required to be objective and provide honest suggestions regarding the employment opportunity. In doing so, they will avoid subjecting a candidate to unnecessarily uncomfortable questions or to statements that are not appropriate. Candidates may also experience increased stress when interviewed by a small group of members who are not knowledgeable about the company’s goals or practices. Additionally, there is nothing that the interviewing team can do to ensure that they do not interview a person who does not possess the skills, work history, or personal qualities necessary for the job.

To ensure that each candidate has an opportunity to have an open dialogue with the committee member assigned to them, this representative should ask detailed questions about the person’s work history, education, and skills. In addition, the selection committee member should ask specific questions about the candidate’s personality and how that personality may impact positively on the position. It is important to remember that these are sensitive questions that should be answered with care. The goal is to create an atmosphere where all of the hiring decision-makers–the interviewee and the committee members–enjoy a positive working relationship. The fact that the candidate feels free to express concerns about specific aspects of the position demonstrates that he or she is interested in the position and is willing to learn and adjust as required in order to achieve high level job performance.

Before making final decisions about the candidate, the selection committees should first discuss the job qualifications with the candidate. During the interview process, the committee members should ask many questions to evaluate the candidate’s abilities and strengths. If the candidate does not have a clear understanding of the interview and selection criteria, he or she should be encouraged to participate in a short job interview with one of the department supervisors to gain a better understanding of what will be required. The interview is an important part of the selection process and the candidate needs to fully understand how to answer questions related to his or her potential position.