Human Resources Management for Public and Nonprofit Organizations

198 Human Resources Management for Public and Nonprofi t Organizations

8. Assess candidate responses objectively, use the rating scales, and use
   the ratings to score candidates.


9. Evaluate selection decisions based on subsequent employee performance.

Research indicates that team interviews reduce individual interviewer

biases about the applicant (Campion, Pursell, & Brown, 1988) and that

mixed - race interview panels serve as a check and balance on the evalua-

tion process (Dobbins, Lin, & Farh, 1992).

Interviewers should be trained to accurately receive and evaluate

information. Even if a structured interview format is not used, interview-

ers should still document the candidates ’ responses to the questions.

Interviewers must comply with the EEOC guidelines concerning pre-

employment disability - related inquiries. They may not ask about the exis-

tence, nature, or severity of a disability, but they may inquire about the

ability of an applicant to perform specifi c job - related functions. Here are

some examples of questions prohibited under ADA:

Do you have a disability that would interfere with your ability to

perform the job?

How many days were you sick last year?

Have you ever been treated for mental health problems?

Have you ever fi led for workers ’ compensation?

Here are examples of questions permitted under ADA:

Can you perform the essential functions of this job with or without

reasonable accommodation?

Please describe how you would perform these functions.

Can you meet the attendance requirements of this job?

Do you have the required licenses to perform this job?

The interview should be one of many factors considered when select-

ing applicants. Not all competent people interview well, and not all jobs

require competent interpersonal and communication skills. Many posi-

tions use a combination of the screening techniques. For example, it is

common for applicants for public safety positions to have to pass a written

cognitive ability test, a medical examination and drug screen, a polygraph

examination, a background investigation, a physical ability test, and an

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