Structured Oral Interviews

Structured oral interview programs, also known as “oral boards,” are effective for gathering additional information about candidates’ interpersonal skills, ability to work with others as part of a team, service orientation and problem-solving skills – to mention a few possible dimensions. Applicants applying to your department or candidates seeking a promotion like the process too, because all candidates are asked the same questions and judged according to standardized evaluation guidelines.

Stanard & Associates employs a combination of situational and behavioral question types. The first question type places candidates in a situation that requires them to demonstrate a job-related skill or ability. These situational questions do not revolve around scenarios that would give unfair advantage to applicants with prior experience in another agency. Agencies can often reward applicants with prior experience through other mechanisms (training and education points, for example). Behavioral questions call on candidates to convey a past experience, and to describe in detail when they have had to use a particular skill or ability; evaluation guidelines focus on the effectiveness of the past behaviors.