Topgrading interview guide pdf

Use a tandem two-interviewer approach. A tandem interview is more valid than a solo interview, unless the Topgrading interviewer is highly experienced. After a couple of minutes building rapport, give the interviewee an idea of the expected time frame 3 hours? The Topgrading Interview is long and detailed, and helps us hire mostly high performers. The advantages to you of participating in it are to: Review your background, interests, and goals to see if there is a good fit with the position and opportunities here.

Help you become highly productive, as soon as possible. Determine some ways to assure smooth onboarding, should you join us. Get some ideas regarding what you and we can do to maximize your long-range development. Follow the chronological order starting with Education and then Work History, starting with the first full time job and coming forward to the present. Following the Topgrading Interview: Review the completed guide.

Write comments about each competency on the last three pages of this Guide, or on a Job Scorecard. Make ratings of the competencies. Ask candidates to arrange reference calls with supervisors and others you and your tandem interviewer choose to talk with. Knowing this requirement in advance of interviews, candidates will be more honest in responding to questions. High performers hired or promoted will want feedback and development recommendations from the interviewers. The answers have been bolded and underlined.

Questions to interviewers are italicized. So that I can get a good feel for your background, first your education years and then work history, let's briefly go back to your high school days and come forward chronologically to the present.

Then we'll talk about your plans and goals for the future. Would you please expand on the information provided by discussing high points, low points, how your summers were spent, work experiences, and any people who were strong influences, good or bad? High Points: Low Points: Work Experiences: don't waste time on the mundane - look for real accomplishments and resourcefulness Fast food restaurant, up to Assistant Manager.

Now let's move on to your college years. So that I can get a feel for your background, first your education and then work history, let's briefly go back to your college years and come forward chronologically, up to the present. Then we'll discuss your plans and goals for the future. Please expand on the information you've provided by discussing what the school was like, high and low points, work experiences, and influences.

Ask the following questions to obtain complete information not included in responses to the general "smorgasbord" question. I see your major was Marketing Did you change majors? What school activities did you take part in? What people or events during college might have had an influence on your career?

Were there any class offices, awards, honors, or special achievements during your college years? What were high points during your college years?

Look for leadership and resourcefulness 8. What were low points, or least enjoyable occurrences, during your college years? Again, what happened back then is only important in relation to what is revealed about the interviewee now. Give us a feel for any part-time and full-time jobs you held during college.

There are a lot of things we would like to know about each position. Let me tell you what these things are now, so we won't have to interrupt you so often. We already have some of this information from your Topgrading Career History Form and previous discussions.

Please go back and start with your first full time job and come forward chronologically. What were your responsibilities and accountabilities? What did you find when you arrived? What shape was the job in talent, resources, performance problems? What major challenges did you face?

What results were achieved in terms of successes and accomplishments? How were they achieved? As time permits, get specifics, such as individual vs. We all make mistakes - what would you say were mistakes or failures experienced in this job?

If you could wind the clock back, what would you do differently? As time permits, get specifics. All jobs seem to have their pluses and minuses; what were the most enjoyable or rewarding aspects of this job? Learning marketing; working with diverse clients. What were the least enjoyable aspects of the job? Very narrow limited responsibilities; could not persuade managers to let me try initiatives. What changes did you make, how, and how many As, Bs, and Cs did you end up with?

Where is that person now? Would you be willing to arrange for us to talk with him or her? Yes Say you will want to talk with all supervisors in the past ten years. What is your best guess as to what that supervisor really felt at that time were your strengths and weaker points? What circumstances contributed to your leaving? Always probe for initially unstated reasons. Topgrading Interview Guide Page 10 of Transition to HR; measurable goals and exceeded them What were the least enjoyable aspects of the job?

Entry job with limited opportunity to show career potential; having to beg for a professional role. Not Leaving the Company. Topgrading Interview Guide Page 12 of Conduct a topgrading interview. Have a conversation with the candidate about how they ended up where they are today.

This should be chronological, beginning with high school and ending with goals for the future. Provide feedback to interviewers.

Instant improvement is the name of the game, and interviewers should receive critique, tips, and additional training as needed after each interview conducted. Have the candidate arrange reference calls. The candidate themself should contact previous employers and arrange interviews with your company. Coach the new hire. Measure success annually. Review employee performance and turnover rates on a yearly basis. Work to identify any flaws in your system, and address them accordingly.

The Topgrading Interview Step seven of the topgrading process is our main focus in this article. Topgrading Interview Example Early Influences Considering your years in high school, who were the most influential people, and similarly the most influential experiences, that you feel have affected your personality and values?

What were the high and low points for you during your high school career? What were your career ideas and plans after leaving school? What did you do next?

Work History Note: The following questions should be asked in relation to each full time job held by the candidate, beginning with the most recent and moving forward. What are some notable successes and accomplishments?

And how were these achieved? We all make mistakes — what were some mistakes you made or failures you had during your time in this position? Would you be willing to arrange for us to talk with them? What was it like working under this supervisor?

Think of all the years up until you left high school. Who were the most influential people and experiences that might have affected your personality and values? What were high points and low points during your school days?

What were your career thoughts at the end of high school college and what did you do next? The complete wording for each question is: 1.

What results were achieved in terms of successes and accomplishments? How were they achieved? As time permits, get specifics, such as individual vs. We all make mistakes—what would you say were mistakes or failures experienced in this job? If you could wind the clock back, what would you do differently?

As time permits, get specifics. For management jobs What sort of talent did you inherit how many A, B, and C players? What changes did you make, how, and how many As, Bs, and Cs did you end up with?

Get a full explanation of actions taken… hiring, coaching, firing, where replacements came from, etc. Final mo. Do differently? What are your long-term career goals and objectives? We would like you to give us a thorough self-appraisal, beginning with what you consider your strengths, assets, things you like about yourself, and things you do well.

What would you say are your shortcomings, weak points, or areas for improvement? Intelligence 2. Analysis Skills 3. Conceptual Ability 5. Creativity 6. Strategic Skills 7. Pragmatism 8. Risk Taking 9. Leading Edge