HELPFUL INTERVIEW AND DISCUSSION TIPS

Search Committee Responsibilities:

Committee members should have a legitimate interest in the selection process
Committee members should not be related to or be engaged in business ventures with any applicant and must remove themselves from the committee if this situation arises

When interviewing candidates, it’s important to:

Set aside a quiet room and limit all distractions
Schedule enough time to not rush
Not make assumptions based on the candidate’s name or work experience (gender, race/ethnicity)
Ask only job-related questions or follow-up questions to clarify the candidate’s answers
Assist the EEOD with monitoring the entire search process and ensuring that all candidates are given fair consideration based on meeting the qualifications of the vacancy announcement
If any inappropriate information is shared or discussed during the interview or deliberation process, please stop the discussion and ask that the candidate/committee focus only on the requirements of the position

Do NOT ask:

Do NOT ask:
Topic	Unacceptable
Age/Date of Birth	How old are you? When did you graduate? Avoid phrases like “fresh”, “energetic/new energy”, and “old school”
Disabilities	Do you have any disabilities? When did you lose your eyesight/hearing?
Marital/Family Status	Is your family willing to relocate? Are you married or do you have a partner? What are you child care arrangements? Do you have family in Fresno?
Military Services	What type of discharge did you receive? Will you be required to leave during the middle of the year/semester/etc.?
National Origin/Citizenship	Where were you/your parents born? What is your native language? What is your country of citizenship?
Race/Color/Origin/Sex/Gender	All questions are illegal
Religion/Religious Affiliations	What clubs or organizations do you belong to? Do you go to church?
Reliability/Attendance	Do you own a car? Do you have another job?
Personal/Other	How much do you weigh? How tall are you? Is your family willing to relocate?

For additional information, please contact Human Resources at (559) 278-2032.

Rev. 4.2018

Download the PDF

This HTML version was generated with AI assistance and may contain errors or omissions. The original approved PDF remains the official document of record. An alternative accessible format is available upon request from the document creator in accordance with Title II of the ADA.