print logo
Main Content Anchor

Preparing for the Structured Interview Examination

Disclaimer: This guide presents useful information on the subject area and is intended to help readers understand the process and what to expect in the structured oral examination.  There is no guarantee that someone who reads this guide will be able to perform better on the structured oral examination.  

The following information is designed to help you understand and prepare you for a structured interview examination. This information will help you: 
  • Learn about the structured interview examination process. 
  • ​Understand the function of the structured interview examination. 
  • Assist you with identifying the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for a position. 
  • ​Formulate effective responses to interview questions.​ 
  • ​Practice and prepare for your structured interview examination. 

​​Purpose of the Structured Interview Examination​

A structured interview examination is a selection tool that is used to measure a candidate’s job- related knowledge, skills and abilities. This selection tool can be used when a position requires oral communication and interpersonal skills. During the examination, candidates are assessed under the same testing conditions, provided the same introductory instructions, asked the same set of job-related interview questions in the same order and evaluated against pre-determined, job-related scoring criteria.  

What Happens in the Structured Interview Exam​​

A structured interview examination is not a hiring interview. Instead, it is the first step of the selection process. Candidates who are successful in a structured interview examination are placed on an eligibility list. Hiring managers use this list to invite candidates to the next phase of the hiring process which usually consists of a hiring interview. The examination panel normally consists of a Chairperson who facilitates the process and two county employee subject matter experts who are familiar with the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the position.
 
The structured interview examination is competitive and structured. All candidates are asked the same set of questions in the same order. The panel is not allowed to diverge from the structured interview format, probe the candidates or ask follow-up questions. The questions asked will be job related and are designed to elicit information indicating​ how candidates would perform on the job. The ratings you receive are based upon the overall responses you provide to the examination questions. It is important to note that the panelists are not given a copy of your application or resume; therefore, it  is important that you provide detailed responses to the questions and sufficient information about your qualifications.  If you have passed or failed previous exams, it will have no effect on this exam. Please be advised that you may not bring notes or reference documents into the structured interview examination.  
​
Once the examination is completed, the panel will rate your responses based on each question’s pre-established scoring criteria. These ratings will then be provided to MSS. Your performance during the examination will determine your score and rank on the eligible list. Please keep in mind that passing the oral examination does not guarantee you will be invited to a hiring interview or hired be for the position.​​ 

​

Preparing for the Structured Interview Examination

​In order to fully demonstrate your qualifications for the position, candidates should adequately prepare in advance of the interview examination:

  1. Learn about the specific County and department where the position is located by visiting the county's website and reviewing information about the county.

  2. Review the position requirements and duties that are listed on the announcement.  The job announcement typically provides the following information:​ position description, minimum requirements and desirable qualifications if applicable (e.g., education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities)​​​​​, examination components (i.e., tentative examination dates)

    Note: To review the job announcement after the filing period, log into your Government Jobs account, select “Applications” in the drop-down menu, select the position you are examining for, and select the job details tab​.​

  3. Review the class specification document for the necessary duties, knowledge, skills, abilities, and minimum qualifications (education and/or experience) needed for the position.

    ​Note: A listing of the class specifications which outline knowledge, skills, and abilities used by Merit System Services can be found online at: www.governmentjobs.com/careers/MSS/classspecs

  4. Think of examples from your current or past employment that best demonstrate​ the knowledge, sills, and abilities needed for the position.

    Note: A good method to help you prepare your responses is the STAR method​.

  5. ​Develop mock questions and practice answering them verbally in front of others.  Candidates will often find it helpful to simulate the environment that they will face at the interview examination.

Types of Questions Asked at a Structured Interview Examination​

​There are four different types of questions that may be asked during a structured interview examination. These questions may fall under one of the following categories:

Background Questions ​focus on work experience, education and other qualifications. For example:
  • Please describe your experience working directly with customers.
  • Please describe your education background in accounting.

Job Knowledge Questions focus on asking questions that cannot be answered unless the candidate possesses specific job-related knowledge. For example:​
  • What type of office equipment have you used on the job and what kinds of routine tasks did you perform using this equipement?
  • Describe your experience classifying, cataloguing, reviewing, and evaluating books within a large-sized public library system.​

Situational Questions pose hypothetical situations that may occur on the job and ask candidates to describe how they would handle a situation.  For example:​​​​
​
  • Imagine that you are the leader of a work team, and you find out that one of the team members is not doing his share of the work, and instead is relying on the others to pick up the slack. How would you handle this situation?
  • You are the supervisor of a very busy unit. Your immediate supervisor assigns your unit several high priority assignments. You realize that your staff’s current workload prevents the completion of the new assignments by their due dates. As a supervisor, what would you do to remedy this situation?​
​Behavioral-based Questions require you to apply your knowledge, skills and abilities in a job-related situation.  The two types of behavior-based interview questions are past behavior and situational.​​​
  • Tell me about a time when you provided exemplary customer service. What were the circumstances, what did you do and what were the results? (Past Behavior)
  • An important client arrives at the office and demands to see your supervisor without an appointment. How would you handle this? (Situational)
  • Describe a decision you made that was unpopular and how you handled implementing it.
​​​

Competitive Rating Factors

The areas you will be assessed on will depend on the position, the level of responsibility, and the specific duties of the position you are applying for.  For each question, the panel will assess your knowledge, the thoroughness of your response, the level of detail, and the examples you provide.   

​​​​​After the Structured Interview Examination​​​

Be advised, the structured interview examination process is competitive. All exam content must remain confidential. Under Government Code, Section 19680, the structured interview process is confidential​ and it is unlawful for a candidate to discuss the exam process with any other candidate. Failure to observe these regulations can result in disqualification from the exam and possible punitive action.​ 

Exam Results

The results of the examination may take approximately two weeks after the end of the structured interview examination period to post.  Results may take longer or shorter periods of time depending on the number of candidates, the length of the exam (number of days) or the time it takes to process all the candidates.  The results will be used to place the participating candidates into a competitive ranking.​​​ 

​​​​​Additional Tips

​Prior to the Structured Interview Examination:

  • Practice by conducting a mock interview.
  • Identify strengths and weaknesses and prepare for your examination.
  • Clarify your thought and prepare your responses
  • Plan your travel, get directions at least a day in advance. Map the address of the exam site (if in person) and choose an alternate route in case of traffic issues. If possible, drive by the location ahead of time and note the parking lot location.

On the Day of the Structured Interview Examination:

  • Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled interview examination and allow time for traffic, parking and check-in.
  • Have proper identification as indicated in your invitation letter.

​During the Structured Interview Examination:

  • Turn off any electronic devices that you have with you (if you are participating in the examination online, remove all distractions and remain focused on the examination).
  • Offer a firm handshake (if in-person) and a pleasant smile when introducing yourself to the panel.
  • Direct your responses to all the members of the panel, not just the member asking the question.
  • The panel members will be taking notes while you respond to a question, do not let this distract you.
  • Do not be afraid to allow a moment of silence during the examination while you take time to formulate your thoughts.
  • Avoid speaking too quickly. Make sure your responses are clear, concise and complete.
  • Avoid using slang and phrases such as “um” and “ah.”

Supporting Page
Link Back to Top