Apr 21 2008
Cook County Corruption Chronicles. . . . Part 43
Excerpts from the second semi-annual report by Shakman Compliance Administrator (CA) Julia M. Nowicki:
viii. Standardize interview documents and format. A variety of interview formats and scoring tools are used during the interview process. Through its monitoring activities, the CA’s office also has noted a high level of inconsistency in the conduct of interviews. Some departments ask behavior-based questions, others ask questions requiring only a “yes” or “no” response. Monitors have also noted a great deal of disparity in the amount of documentation regarding the interview process. Some interviewers take copious notes, others take scant notes, and occasionally no note are taken. Some interviewers have also recorded inappropriate items which may indicate a personal biases, Le., a candidate’s manner of dress, nationality, command of the English language, ethnicity, gender, etc.
The CA recommends a standardization ofthe interview process and documentation, and the use of a generally well-recognized process, such as based interviewing. A properly formatted behavior-based interview requires a candidate to provide evidentiary, job-specific examples of actual performance in a range of situations. Full documentation also allows the interviewers to justify specific hires in the future, if necessary (to a lawyer or an outside auditor, for example) through a review of their interview notes, which if they are verbatim, allow anyone reviewing them to know exactly what occurred at that interview, regardless of whether they were present. The CA also recommends a review and revision of the current scoring tool used by the County, and training of interviewers on the proper procedures for interviewing and scoring applicants.
If executed properly, behavioral interviewing can eliminate not only natural biases, but the solicitation of inappropriate political information which may have a bearing on interview performance or hiring decisions. The CA is prepared to assist the County in development of these tools and processes.
To be continued…
You can read the full Shakman report here.
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