Faculty Hiring Manual
Section 3: The Interview and Selection Process

3.4 Conducting the Initial Interview

Interviews for faculty positions may be conducted in-person, via phone, or by means of videoconference (Zoom, Skype, Microsoft Teams, Hangout, etc.). Regardless of format, all interviews for a specific position should be conducted in the same way. With the exception of follow-up questions, a search committee should ask each candidates the same set of interview questions, which should be composed in advance consistent with the above criteria.

Interviews should take place in professional settings regardless of location. If conducting an interview in-person, the interview location should be free of personal items and should have sufficient chairs for all members of the committee as well as for the candidate. To minimize distraction, it is better not to serve or consume food during the interview itself, nor is it appropriate to serve, offer, or consume alcohol during an interview.

Whether virtual or in-person, a member of the search committee should welcome the candidate and introduce them briefly by name and professional title (e.g., Dr., Reverend) to the other members of the interview committee. Search committee members should then briefly introduce themselves by name and title/role before launching into the first interview question.

Throughout the interview, all committee members should make efforts to remain attentive and engaged by the candidate and ask follow-up questions as appropriate. During the interview, texting, emailing, and other conspicuous gestures of distraction or disengagement should be avoided; any committee member who has urgent business to conduct should excuse themselves from the interview before it begins and should not rejoin the committee until the interview has concluded. Search committee members should attend all interviews.