Interview Question Worksheet

Candidate Name: ______Interview Date/Team: ______

Competency/Questions / Performance Indicators / Notes / Rating
Professional Qualifications Questions
Education Equivalence, Experience, Assessments
Technical Competency Questions
Communication Competency Questions
Interpersonal Competency Questions
Competency Questions / Performance Indicators / Notes / Rating
Problem Solving Competency Questions
Business Competency Questions
Other Essential Criteria

Common Rating Errors
When assessing candidates it is important that you watch for rating errors, meaning ways of consistently messing up the numbers assigned to candidates on the performance dimensions. Some common rating errors are:

Elevation Error – Involves rating all candidates either too high or too low over all dimensions. When you look over your ratings, is everyone at the top? If so, you have been too lenient. If everyone is rated 3 or lower, you have been too tough. To correct for this error, review your notes and assessments and bring the overused and underused categories more into line where justified.

Dispersion Error – Shows up in how the candidates were assigned to categories. A common problem is when all the candidate ratings are right down the middle. If all your ratings are 2’s, 3’s, or 4’s, review your notes and try to find more low and high scores. Take a stand when a candidate has provided evidence for a low rating or merits a 4.

Halo Error – A halo error can seriously detract from rating quality, but detecting it takes a second look. Halo error occurs when a person who is outstanding on one dimension is consequently overrated on other dimensions. Similarly, the error occurs when a candidate who is dreadful on one dimension is therefore underrated on other dimensions. Rating candidates on one dimension at a time helps reduce the severity of halo error. Focus all your attention on the dimension being rated. Furthermore, when an applicant stands out on one dimension or vice versa, be sure to question the other dimensions carefully, thus avoiding the halo trap.