Interviewing and Hiring Your Best Staff

National Support Center for State Teen Pregnancy Prevention Organizations

Interviewing candidates for a new or existing position can be a daunting and time-consuming task. However, committing time and energy to the process ensures that you will be able to find qualified candidates who can help your organization reach and exceed its goals. Here is an interview guide that you can tweak as needed to interview and hire your best staff.

Name: Date:

Interviewers:

Responses: Rate responses on the following scale of 1 to 5	1 – Very weak response/ understanding	4 – Strong response/ understanding
	2 – Weak response/understanding	5 – Very strong response/ understanding
	3 – Acceptable/good response/ understanding

1. What do you know about our organization?
2. What draws you to want to work with us?
3. What interests you about this position?
4. Is there anything you don’t know about this position that you would like to know?
5. Describe your strengths as an employee/worker.
6. Do you prefer to work independently or on a team?
7. What are key components of project management?
8. Can you tell us about a time when you worked on a team?
9. Describe your grant writing, reporting and management experience?
10. Have you ever had several projects with the same deadline? How did you tackle that? What is your method or system?
11. How have you handled the last few angry clients you’ve come across?
12. Tell us about a project for which you had fiscal responsibility. How did you stay on budget? What systems did you use?
13. What do you do for fun, pleasure, relaxation?
14. What’s the last thing on which you and your boss disagreed? How did you settle it?
15. Talk about your presentation and training skills. What is the most significant presentation you’ve given to clients?
16. What has been the most frustrating experience in your current position or most recent position? The most satisfying?
17. Describe your office?
18. Describe the characteristics of your ideal boss?
19. Tell us about a time you took a risk and it failed. How did you feel?
20. Tell us about any meeting planning experience you have.
21. What are you looking for in your next job? What is important to you?
22. This position requires travel ____ X a month. Are there any factors which might limit your ability to do this?
23. Why do you feel you are the best person for this position?
24. What are your goals for the next five years?
25. Our organization is pro-choice and supportive of the rights of GLBTQ youth. Will this be the right place for you relative to your values?
26. Rate your computer proficiency from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).
27. On which computer program software are you most proficient?
28. What is your first available start date?

Yes/No Responses:

1. Are you lawfully employable in the U.S. either by virtue of citizenship or by having authorization from the INS and the Labor Department?
2. Are you over the age of 18?
3. Are you able to perform the essential functions of the position? Clarify essential functions if needed, especially any physical limitations related to job or site
4. This is a smoke-free office. Can you adhere to this policy?
5. Have you ever been convicted of any violations of law, including traffic violations?

Preparation for Interview:
Dress:
Body Language:
Speech:
Comfort:
Other:

Notes:

Closing:

Any other questions?
Explain hiring process – what could happen next
Thank you!

AMPLIFYYOUR VOICE.ORG
a youth-driven community working for change

AMBIENTEJOVEN.ORG
Apoyo para Jóvenes GLBTQ
for Spanish-speaking GLBTQ youth

MYSISTAHS.ORG
by and for young women of color

MORNINGAFTERINFO.ORG
information on emergency birth control for South Carolina residents

YOUTHRESOURCE.ORG
by and for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth

2000 M Street NW, Suite 750 | Washington, DC 20036 | P: 202.419.3420 | F: 202.419.1448