PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference Brief Introduction to Human Resources: Interviewing Presented By: The NE Recruitment, Retention and Training Committee Sean McHale & Theresa M. Hurst

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 2 Human services agencies have a variety of guidelines and regulations with oversight from numerous entities. Attention to detail is vital in our providing quality service to our clients. The inherent aptitude, inspiration and formal education of staff members from different departments varies greatly. In our work, different duties may blend together and functional roles evolve when promoted. New challenges may exist for our supervisors and there appears to be a void in the training of important new concepts. Expanding our understanding of the variety of departments and their functions can improve our teamwork. It is vital that we learn and maintain good practice that includes meeting legal expectations as we strive to conduct our meaningful work with children, youth and families. Regulations Regulations Details Development Development Counseling Fiscal Control Public Relations Inspections Mission Mission Outcome Measurement One Agency, One Common Goal

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 3 Welcome To Human Resource Management A vast field that tends to be different things, to different organizations Support Role Risk Management Employment: Interviewing and Hiring Discipline Terminations Compensation Evaluations Benefits Employee Relations Employee assistance Programs Retirement/Pension Plans Training

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 4 Cost factors in hiring Finding and attaining the best employee Interviewing is more than a gut feeling The Interview Process

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 5 Check this out. Some of your responses are likely similar. What are your apprehensions and concerns? How do you decide what questions to ask? Do you look forward to interviewing? Have you had any difficult interviews? Did you ever hire someone and later regretted it? Self-Reflection About Interviewing

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 6 ~ Which ironically, can be in contrast to some of the innate and learned skills of the direct care human service provider. Behavioral-based interviewing: Thorough review of requirements Preplanning behavioral questions Gaining behavioral examples Rating the interviewee’s skills Interviewing Is More Than A ‘Gut Feeling’.

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 7 Technical vs. Performance Questions Establishing rapport Open-ended questions Allowing silence Controlling the interview (while speaking less than the applicant) Contrary Evidence Gaining behavioral examples ~ Technical skills questions are task related ~ Performance skills questions are behavior related Key Interviewing Skills

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 8 Review application Allow sufficient time Prepare appropriate environment Remain clear about objectives Pre-plan questions Preparing For The Interview

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 9 Encouraging the applicant to ‘open-up’  keep discussion content related to the job Starting with small talk  remain neutral, perhaps about the weather etc. Consider how the applicant may be feeling Creating The Interview Atmosphere

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 10 Establish Format & Rapport Active Listening:  talk less, listen more  summarize periodically  filter out distractions  use free information  screen out roadblocks to active listening  use your thought speed Note Taking  this is an acceptable and positive practice  applicants differ from clients (interviewing differs from counseling) Body Language  interpretations of nonverbal behavior Conducting The Interview

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 11 What should I be asking? Types of Interview Questions: Hypothetical Loaded Leading Close-ended Open-ended Probing

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 12 Open-ended vs. Close-ended Questions Consider the open-ended/close-ended exercise on page 26. Probing for Behavioral Examples On page 27, now try formulating probing questions. Check this out.

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 13 Consider common interview questions and develop examples of behavioral-based questions appropriate to roles in your agency. Determining What Questions To Ask

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 14 Engage in practice - role plays Utilize the observer's guide and Review the 10 point skills checklist Skills Checklist

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 15 There are dangers, but you’re OK if you stay away from certain questions … it’s the law. Check the guide on pages Check this out. What do you think? Try page 38. Interviewing And The Law

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 16 Shy or nervous Overly talkative Overly aggressive Highly emotional or distraught Dominant (tries to take over the interview) How To Interview Problem Applicants

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 17 Avoid interrupting Avoid agreement or disagreement Avoid unfamiliar terminology Avoid reading the resume/application back to the applicant Avoid comparisons Avoid unrelated questions all together Avoid talking down to the applicant Avoid talking about yourself Avoid hiring out of desperation to fill a position Pitfalls The Interviewer Should Avoid

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 18 Have I asked everything I needed to? Have I adequately described the available position? Have I discussed compensation and any related topics? Have I allowed the applicant to ask questions? Closing The Interview

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 19 All written notes must be objective not subjective Avoid the recording of opinions Refer to job related facts Follow your agency’s guidelines for interview documentation Writing Up The Interview

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 20 Timing Selling the job Giving time for consideration Confirming arrangements Consider the sample Interview Rating Sheet on pages Making The Offer

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 21 The NE Recruitment, Retention and Training Committee Thank You For Joining Us Today