Template InterviewGuide
Template InterviewGuide
The following guide is a sample document which includes the types of information and materials hiring
managers would want to provide to interviewers when preparing them to conduct behavioral
interviews.
The HR team should use this document as a template to help prepare an interview guide that would suit
their own organization’s needs. In addition to your organization’s interview guide, provide your
interviewers with:
Job Description
Candidate’s Resume
Interview Preparation
Behavioral interviewing is an interview technique that focuses on a candidate’s past experiences,
behaviors, knowledge, skills and abilities by asking the candidate to provide specific examples of when
he or she has demonstrated certain behaviors or skills.
In a behavioral interview:
The interviewer(s) ask each candidate the same series of questions, using the same phrasing,
and in the same order
The questions asked are created prior to the interview, and often have little room for variation
in responses. There are few open-ended questions used.
The interviewer is neutral but friendly. He/she does not provide any opinions during the
interview.
All candidates are evaluated on the same rating scale
Before walking into a behavioral interview, it is important to have an understanding of the role for which
you’re interviewing. Be sure that you’re aware of the following:
Be organized
Come prepared with a writing utensil and a place to capture notes
Bring a copy of the candidate’s resume to reference
Look and act professional
Explain the interview process to candidates
Allow opportunities for the candidate to ask questions
Practice legally defensible behaviors
Ask the behavioral interviewing questions exactly as provided
Ask the same questions in the same order (by the same individuals) for each candidate
Avoid leading questions when your probe for additional information
Use appropriate body language
Avoid non-verbal cues that could change a candidate’s behavior or response
Avoid evaluating non-verbal behaviors of candidates
Use active listening skills
Treat all candidates the same (ensure that the candidate has a positive and fair experience)
Do not give the candidate any unfair or unrealistic expectations
Be clear on the next steps in the process and their appropriate points of contact
Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and a variety of other federal and state laws, it is unlawful
for employers with 15 or more employees to discriminate against job candidates on the basis of:
Sex
Race
Color
National Origin
Religion
By avoiding questions related to these topics, and teaching all interviewers to avoid these topics, you
can help your organization minimize their potential for litigation.
Note Taking Tips
Below are some key tips for taking effective notes during a behavioral interview:
Use short-hand or key phrases to summarize the content and delivery of responses
Balance your note taking and maintaining eye contact and engaging in conversation
Avoid judgment in your notes
Avoid rating a candidate’s response until they have left the interview (but rate the candidate
responses for yourself as soon as possible after the interview)
Ensure that your notes support or justify your ratings (list actual answers along with how these
answers apply to the competency being rated)
Interview Materials
Position Title:
Hiring Manager:
Interviewer:
Panelists:
Candidate:
Date:
Rating Scale:
Competency:
Lead Question:
Response:
Probing Questions/Responses:
Competency:
Lead Question:
Response:
Probing Questions/Responses:
Please complete the following assessment of this applicant, along with your overall comments and
recommendation.
KNOWLEDGE: The sum of what is known and resides in the intelligence and the competence of people.
SKILLS: Ability to carry out complex activities or job functions involving ideas (cognitive skills), things
(technical skills), and/or people (interpersonal skills).
Candidate possesses the skills as outlined in the job description to carry out this role.
ABILITY: An acquired or natural capacity or talent that enables an individual to perform a particular job
or task successfully.
Candidate possesses the ability as outlined in the job description to carry out this role.
Candidate is a team player and open to contributing positively to SHRM’s unique culture and
environment.
Overall Comments:
Recommendation: