[IPAC-List] Using a combination of interview media

[keith.poole at phoenix.gov]

We've used phone interviews probably for decades (typically only for first 
round interviews), and in the last couple years, live video interviews. 
For the video interviews, we opted for using a teleconference service 
(British Telecomm) in combination of high-def TV, instead of something 
like Skype, mostly due to reliability issues and all around better 
experience for both parties.  We have a dedicated interview room with the 
connection and TV setup, the candidate typically goes to a site near their 
home city (it usually ends up being a court reporting service or law 
office).  This comes at a cost of around $300 - $350 per hour, plus we 
have to set them up through our IT department.  We tend to use the video 
only as-needed (e.g., the hiring department doesn't have the budget to fly 
someone out).  I'm guessing we've done a total of maybe 20-30 of these. We 
offer the interview date/time slot and explain they can fly themselves out 
or do the video (occasionally a candidate will opt to fly themselves but 
usually they'll do the video).  Feedback from candidates and panel members 
have been good, although there still can be a technical glitch in which 
case we fall back on using phones.  Panel deliberations are facilitated by 
HR in most cases for these situations, so we get them to focus on the 
objective factors.  We've not received any complaints or grievances, but 
that may be due to the population and level of job...these tend to be 
external, out-of-state candidates, competing for manager-level positions, 
who are used to doing business remotely in many cases, and are familiar 
with budget constraints of public sector.  I don't think I'd recommend 
this for lower level positions involving mostly internal candidates.

Keith Poole
Human Resources Supervisor
City of Phoenix HR Department
135 N 2nd Ave
Phoenix, AZ  85003
Phone: (602) 262-7140
Fax: (602) 495-5498
Email:  keith.poole at phoenix.gov



"Glen Morry" <Glen.Morry at rcmp-grc.gc.ca> 
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03/13/2013 09:30 AM

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[IPAC-List] Using a combination of interview media






Hi - 
 
I have a question about what to do in a situation where interviews for the 
same job might need to be done using different "media" - i.e. some will be 
face-to-face, while others will be via telephone or video-conference 
(because of travel costs, timing, or other logistical considerations). All 
candidates would be internal, but possibly from across the country. 
 
Bearing in mind that the (limited) research indicates there may be 
differences in how effectively interview information is gathered, as well 
as how ratings may be affected based on whether it is a face-to-face or a 
"technology-assisted" interview, should we insist that the same approach 
be applied for all candidates (so even local candidates would get a phone 
interview, for instance)? 
 
Are there grounds for candidates to challenge a hiring decision, based on 
their apparently being disadvantaged by having gone through a different 
format of interview than the other candidates? 
 
Glen Morry
RCMP_______________________________________________________
IPAC-List
IPAC-List at ipacweb.org
http://nine.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/ipac-list

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