Keep interviews focused on the work

Choose what the interview needs to reveal

Select a few responsibilities from the job description and decide what you need to learn about each. For an administrative position, that might include organizing information and responding to interruptions. For a ministry role, it might include preparation, teamwork, and supporting volunteers.

Prepare a shared set of main questions for candidates applying for the same position. Leave room to ask about their particular experience. Tell interviewers which areas they will cover so the meeting feels like one conversation rather than several disconnected interviews.

Ask for the details behind an answer

When a candidate gives a general answer, invite them to describe an actual situation. Ask what they were responsible for and how they approached it. These prompts are examples written for this guide; adapt them to the work you are filling.

• Which part of your previous work would help you most in this position, and why?
• When a plan became unworkable, how did you decide what to change?
• How did you explain a new responsibility to someone helping you?
• What did you do when two people needed your help at the same time?
• What information would you want before taking responsibility for this work?

Make the notes useful for a decision

For each area discussed, record what the candidate said, what it helps you understand, and what remains unanswered. A simple shared form can keep the team focused. Avoid assigning certainty to something you did not have enough time to explore.

Discuss the evidence alongside the requirements of the role. An engaging conversation is welcome, but it does not answer every question about someone’s ability to do the work. Seek appropriate professional guidance for legal, screening, or safeguarding matters; this guide is an interview aid, not a substitute for that advice.