OPM's structured interviews assess candidates' job-related competencies using targeted questions and benchmarks to evaluate responses. Competency-based benchmarks provide specific behavioral examples of what constitutes high, medium, and low levels of proficiency. Structured interview materials are available for a wide range of competencies in the following occupational families: Clerical & Technical, Professional & Administrative, Leadership & Managerial, Information Technology, Trades & Labor, and Science & Engineering. Sample competencies include:

Each structured interview is designed to measure five to eight critical competencies. Agencies select the most critical competencies for a given position from among the wide variety of competencies available for each occupational family. Competencies for each occupational family were identified on the basis of government-wide job analysis studies conducted by OPM. OPM psychologists are available to assist agencies in selecting a Governmentwide subset of the competencies to include based on their specific hiring needs. Benchmarks and questions also can be tailored as needed to meet an agency's specific hiring needs. Structured interview pricing includes interview questions, rating benchmarks, an interview guide, and a one-day training session for interviewers (assessors) that includes experiential learning exercises.