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Structured Interviews

Questions and answers

A structured interview uses a standardized questioning and scoring process for all candidates.  This means that all candidates are asked the same predetermined questions in the same order, and all candidates’ responses are evaluated using the same rating scale and standards for acceptable answers.  

Also, structured interviews generally have more than one person doing the interviewing (called a “panel”), and all interviewers must come to a consensus on the ratings (scores) they give a candidate's response.  A panel of interviewers may be better able to document and interpret the information.  A panel also reduces the risk of biases in ratings and allows for a diverse (e.g., race and sex) range of interviewers, indicating to the candidate that the organization values diversity and fair treatment. 

For more information about structured interviews, please visit the Structured Interviews page on the Selection and Assessment website (http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/assessment-and-selection/structured-interviews/).

Control Panel