Job interviews can be the final, crucial hurdle for getting a job you want. Some individuals are naturals at these interviews – they have the look, the manner, everything. For most of us, doing well is a skill we learn. The usual way to learn a behavioral skill is through instruction, modeling, practice, and feedback. You can search Google for videos showing what to do and what not to do. You can find all sorts of interview tips and likely interview questions. Below I will provide a rating form you can use to evaluate how you do during practice interviews and real interviews. Ashley Emmerton helped me develop the rating items.

After a practice interview, your practice partner can complete the form too and you can compare ratings. Once you complete the form, you can focus on behaviors that you could improve.

I used this form with one trainee after a role-play interview and with myself after a real interview. Feel free to add and delete rating items as you see fit.

Rating Form for Evaluating an Applicant’s Performance at a Practice or Real Job Interview

Rating options for each listed behavior:                   Good                       Better if:

Rating Items

A. Initial behaviors
1. Arrive early
2. Greet everyone
3. Firm handshake
4. Stand until invited to sit

B. Speech content
5. Present positive view of self and abilities
6. Answer in terms of the hiring criteria
or desired qualities
7. Show knowledge of the organization
8. Speak only in positive terms about current and potential employer – no criticism, no suggestions for change
9. Give examples to show competence
10. Clear
11. Answer questions fully
12. Length of answers appropriate
13. Reasonably prompt responses to questions (neither rushed nor including long pauses)
14. If requested, ask good questions, e.g., what do you most like about working here?

C. Positive speech characteristics
15. Tone of voice enthusiastic and confident
16. Volume good
17. Fluent speech
18. Speed appropriate

D. Positive nonverbal behavior
19. Frequent eye contact
20. Positive facial expressions, including smiles at times
21. Erect posture standing
22. Erect or leaning toward speaker while sitting
23. Hands still, other than gesturing
24. Feet still

E. Appearance
25. Clothes conservative and appropriate
26. Overall physical appearance good
27. No scent
28. Ringing devices turned off

F. Ending procedures
29. Thank interviewers for opportunity
30. Express interest in the position

G. Meta-ratings based on interview
31. Competent for the job
32. Intelligent (can learn quickly)
33. Conscientious
34. Agreeable/pleasant
35. Team player
36. Emotionally stable
37. Enthusiastic about working for the organization

With instruction, modeling, practice, and feedback using this rating form, you may be able to improve substantially how well you perform during job interviews.

What other rating items would you suggest? Try out the form after you practice a job interview or have a real one. To what extent does it provide valuable information?

John Malouff, PhD, JD, Assoc Prof of Psychology