Vet360 Issue 6 Volume 2 | Page 8

PRACTICE MANAGEMENT cants to be especially forthcoming in their interviews. The Interview Checklist • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Can I cover these questions adequately in the time available? Are any questions directly or indirectly discriminatory? Can I put this question to each candidate? Would I consider this question fair, if I were in their shoes? Would a tribunal? Do I know what knowledge, skill or experience area I am testing by asking this question? Do my questions cover the person specification? If not, how are the gaps covered (eg application form or other form of testing)? Are all these questions relevant? What is the purpose of each question? Are the questions clear? Are there any leading questions? Have I thought of follow up questions? Do the questions allow waffle answers, or do they probe? Have I some means of recording the answers? Have I any prejudice or bias in favour of, or against, any of the candidates? Can I justify every question to: • Each candidate • My line manager Have I left enough time for: • Their answers • Their questions it adds to the numbers, causing further pressure on the candidate; and secondly, the quality of the record depends very much on the quality of the note taker. My own preference is for the second option – regular recap and record. It is courteous to tell the candidate that you’re taking notes After the Interview: Pre-Employment Checks Employers have increasingly turned to pre-employment screening as a critical risk-management tool to try and avoid hiring problem employees in the first place. Pre-employment background ͍ɕ