THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK:
City of Little Rock
Human Resources Department
500 West Markham, Suite 130W
Applications may be completed online at:
Little Rock, AR 72201-1428
http://www.lrjobs.net
501-371-4590 – office
501-371-4596 – fax
HR-Employment@littlerock.org
Purpose of Structured Interviews: The City of Little Rock utilizes the Structured
Interview process as a way to objectively evaluate the experience & knowledge
that applicants have as it relates to a specific position(s). Additionally, these
interviews provide an opportunity to assess the applicant’s oral communication
skills. The structured interview process is designed to ensure that each
applicant is treated fairly and equitably. It assesses soft skills like leadership or
interpersonal skills that can not be evaluated by traditional paper and pencil
tests.
Format of Structured Interviews: The structured interviews that are conducted
by the City of Little Rock will include both realistic scenarios as well as
questions that pertain to your experiences and/or your views and opinions on
certain things. Each applicant will receive the same set of interview questions
that will be given in the same order. Your responses to these interview
questions will then be measured against pre-determined standards or
benchmarks.
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This guide is provided to help you prepare for your
structured interview with the City of Little Rock. You
should read the tips and sample questions provided
and the sample questions in this guide to help you
determine your area(s) of weakness.
In addition, we strongly encourage you to use the
public libraries, bookstores, and the Internet as
sources to help you prepare for the interview and
improve. However, the main strategy that you can
use to have a successful interview is to prepare,
prepare, and prepare some more.
There are two (2) main types of structured interviews that you will most likely
encounter when applying for employment with the City of Little Rock:
1. Structured Interviews that are in front of a live panel of raters (e.g. Entry
Police Officer)
2. Structured Interviews that are in front of a video camera (e.g. Entry
Firefighter) with no raters present.
Panel Interviews will typically have three raters present while you answer your
questions. The panel of raters will usually consist of personnel from the
following City of Little Rock departments: Fire, Police and Non-Uniform
Department managers or supervisors.
Video Interviews will only consist of you presenting your answers directly to a
video camera. A panel of raters will then evaluate and score your interview by
watching the video of your interview at a later date.
All Structured Interviews developed and conducted by the City of Little Rock
have pre-determined rating criteria, i.e. scoring guides.
Example 1: Bank Teller
The following is an example of a structured interview for a bank teller, and the
corresponding benchmarks used to evaluate the applicant response to the
question.
Job Duty: A bank teller is responsible for interacting with customers to deliver
and sell products and services.
Structured Interview Question: Being able to interact with customers positively
is a necessary quality for a person in this position. Please describe your
experience in which you were required to effectively interact with customers in
person and on the telephone.
Benchmarks are the criteria used to rate the applicants response:
3 points
2 Points
1 Point
EXCELLENT: Individual has the background to
do this task with little or no guidance and
provides good examples of past customer
service experience.
ACCEPTABLE: Individual has sufficient relevant
training and/or experience to do this task at
the level expected of someone beginning work
in this position.
POOR: Individual has little or no relevant
training and/or experience to do this task at
the level expected at entry into this position.
Example 2: Recreation Manager
The following is an example of a structured interview for a recreation
manager, and the corresponding benchmarks used to evaluate the
applicant response to the question.
Job Duty: Work involves administering, evaluating and inspecting
diversified recreation programs and facility operations, preparing and
overseeing the division budget, and supervising subordinate
personnel.
Structured Interview Question: Describe a time when your staff was
really busy. How did you keep yourself and your staff motivated during
that time?
Benchmarks (the criteria used to rate the applicants response):
3 points
EXCELLENT: Individual implemented new strategies to
keep high morale and the staff interested. The team
met their goals.
2 Points
ACCEPTABLE: Individual made an attempt to motivate
employees through verbal compliments.
1 Point
POOR: Individual did nothing to motivate their
employees and keep a high morale.
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Know yourself .
Be yourself .
Be honest.
Gather your thoughts and make notes before
giving your answer so it will be logically
organized.
Remember your instructions outlining any time
limits you have to prepare and present your
answers.
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Practice in front of a mirror, with a friend or even in front of a
video camera. You will be surprised at what you see and hear!
Your interview is a conversation. Whether you are shy or
extroverted, you can become more at ease with expressing
yourself skillfully.
There is a huge difference between thoughts and speaking
them aloud. Practice so you can easily translate your
thoughts into verbal communication with others.
At family gatherings or when you are out with friends, have
them ask you questions and critique your answers. This gives
you the chance to improve your ability to “think on your feet”,
respond coherently and to be more relaxed, more yourself.
DO
 Arrive on time (15 minutes
early is better)
 Dress appropriately for a
job interview.
 Treat everyone you meet
well - your interview starts
when you enter the front
door.
 Have a firm handshake
 Make good eye contact
 Use good and attentive
posture, i.e. sit up straight.
Smile, Connect!
Don’t
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Be late
Look disheveled or
unprofessional
Look down or visually
disconnect during greeting.
Slouch
Put arms in a defensive
position
Play with your hair, face or
other items such as pens or
paper
Chew gum, candy etc.
BODY LANGUAGE SPEAKS
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Know when your interview is and where you
need to be.
Pre-plan your route. Get directions and travel
time to the facility ahead of time. Plan your
departure time accordingly.
Make a plan that allows adequate time for a
decent night’s sleep, time to get dressed, eat
and still arrive 15 minutes early.
Would you like to take notes? Bring a neat
folder/pad/pen to write with.
Do make sure to dress appropriately! It’s not
a black tie affair, but even if THEY are casual,
and many interviewers will be, you need to
look professional.
The more prepared you are, the easier it is to be
comfortable in this unique process and to be yourself.
Always be honest. After interviewing perhaps hundreds of
candidates over the years, interviewers are adept at
discerning sincerity, honesty and a true desire to become
an employee of the City of Little Rock!
Good Luck!!!