The Dos and Don’ts of Applications and Interviewing

1. The Dos and Don’ts of Applications and Interviewing Presented by Andrew Sanderbeck

2. The U.S. Department of Labor, the price of a bad hire is at least 30 percent of the employee's first-year earnings. While the financial impact is quantifiable, a bad hire’s morale and productivity impacts ahead of monetary losses.

3. * Things to look for in your job application form that should be removed and/or is missing * The two-prong role of the interviewer (and what many interviewers do wrong)* Questions to ask and not to ask (Being legally compliant)* What to do with “inappropriate information” shared by a candidate

4. Has your organization reviewed its job application forms with your human resources department or lawyer in the past two years? Do you regularly train your personnel about proper interviewing techniques?

5. The Goal

6. Question: Are Florida Employers Permitted to Ask Applicants About Prior Arrests (Regardless of Conviction) on Job Applications?

7. Be aware, this is not the law in every state Source - http://hirenetwork.org/content/are-employers-permitted-ask-applicants-about-arrests-job-applications

8. But Don’t Ask! Instead Ask…

9. The law presumes that all questions asked on an employment application or in a personal interview will be used in the hiring decision.

10. Are there any unnecessary questions or information required on your current application form? • Birth Dates • Graduation dates • Military Discharge Information • Previous Sick Days Used in Employment • Race Inquiries • Citizenship • Maiden Name • Social Security Number • Salary History Source: https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/tools-and-samples/hr-qa/pages/

11. What Should Be on Your Application For Employment Form Include a statement on the application that you are an “Equal Opportunity Employer” Include a statement on the application that it does not constitute a promise or guarantee of employment Include a statement that tells the applicant a separate document may be used, asking for approval to conduct a background check that conforms with the requirements of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Source: https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools

12. How Long Do We Have to Keep This Stuff? Many laws, including Title VII, require employers to keep application forms and other records of the application process for a specified time period, regardless of whether an applicant is hired. The most common answer is one year. Source: http://strategichrinc.com/keeping-resumes-and-applications/ For Florida records retention law, visit http://dos.myflorida.com/library-archives/records-management.

13. The Two-Pronged Role of the Interviewer

14. Your Role as an Interviewer is Knowing: • Which questions to ask and how to ask them • Which questions not to ask • When to listen to your gut • How to “Paint a Positive Picture” of your organization

15. Conducting An Interview • Establish rapport. Greet the applicant with a pleasant smile, firm handshake, and a casual statement or two. Outline the interview objectives and structure. For example, say "In the time we have, I would like to..." • Gather information. Verify specific information from the resume. Be certain to use open-ended questions (how, what, when, etc.), and always follow up a yes or no answer with an open-ended question. • Give information about your organization.

16. Conducting An Interview • Close the interview. Thank the candidate for his or her attention and interest. Indicate what the next step will be and when. • Evaluate your notes and compare candidates. Complete an evaluation form or firm up your notes, noting specific information about the candidate wherever possible. Rate the candidate. This is crucial. You may not trust your memory to recall the detail of the interview at a later point in time.

17. The Interviewer's Role is to Convey: • the nature of the job • the skills you want • pay, although some interviewers do not discuss pay until a job offer is made • benefits • working conditions • information about your organization

18. What is the Number One Mistake Interviewers Make? Making a Decision Too Quickly – The applicant has really impressed you in the first few minutes of their interview. And the more impressed you become, the less you effectively listen. You think to yourself “This person has all the skills I’m looking for”. And because of that you miss all the warning signs that this person just doesn’t fit into your organizational culture. Get all the facts, answers and data that you need before you make your decision.

19. Other Mistakes Interviewers Make

20. Because you “like” them is not a valid reason for hiring someone

21. The Interviewer's Role is to Obtain: • Information that will help he/she/them make a fair and unbiased decision about the candidate. • Information that is based on the candidate’s skills, competencies, attitude and overall fit. • Remember: The most qualified candidate (skills/competencies) may be the most awful fit for your organizational culture.

22. Questions to Ask in an Interview • What did you do at your last job? • Why did you leave? • What have you done since your last job? • What licenses or certifications do you hold? • Were you ever disciplined by any employer? • Why are you interested in this job? • Are you over 18? • Can you perform the essential functions of the position with or without an accommodation? • Can you work certain hours or shifts?

23. Questions NEVER to Ask in an Interview • How old are you? • What is your date of birth? • What year did you graduate from high school? • What country are you from? • Do you have kids? • Do you plan on having kids? • Do you have any physical limitations or medical conditions? • Have you ever filed a workers’ compensation claim? • What religion do you practice? • Have you ever been a member of a union?

24. What to do with “inappropriate information” shared by a candidate

25. Notes written down in the course of a job interview are legally binding and can be used as evidence in a court of law

26. Questions? One Thing!

27. Thanks for Attending!!