What is a Selection Interview?
A selection interview is a free-flowing and open-ended process used to determine if you are suitable for a specific job opening. Although it is generally less structured than an Oral Exam, they are often more similar than different. A selection interview can be distinguished by five clear criteria.
- Final Step. At the County of Ventura, a selection interview is the final step in the employee selection process. It is an opportunity for the hiring department to learn more about candidates and determine who is the best fit for a given position. The selection interview is NOT part of the civil service process. On the contrary, those afforded a selection interview were successful in the civil service process in that they made it onto, and were certified from, an eligible list.
- Greater Variety. Hiring departments have considerable latitude in terms of how they may conduct selection interviews. Most will elect to have a highly structured format which resembles an Oral Exam; however, it may also be more casual. Contingent upon the agency there may also be multiple layers of selection interviews. In other words, candidates may be invited back multiple times. Interviews may also be conducted with as few as two interviewers or with a very large group. Be prepared for all options.
- More Interaction. Although most departments will have some structure as part of the selection interview it is often more interactive and more of a dialogue as opposed to an Oral Exam in which the candidate does most of the talking. The goal is to get to know you better as well as determine if you will be a good match with the existing workforce.
- Less Structure. In an Oral Exam, each candidate is asked the exact same set of questions. They may not be in the case of a selection interview as it may more closely resemble a conversation.
- Interviewer Composition. In most cases the selection interview is conducted by the hiring authority and/or the immediate supervisor of the position. This is not the case in the oral exam.
How Should I Prepare for a Selection Interview?
Fortunately, the strategies you should adopt to prepare should be the same as preparing for an oral exam, please click here to be directed to that information.