Review applications

Step 1. Eliminate applicants who didn't meet minimum qualifications.

You can send a "Applicant Won't Be Interviewed Letter " to anyone who is not a high school graduate or does not have a G.E.D. A letter can also be sent to anyone who checked "no" to the question "If accepted for the position, will you have access to transportation necessary to fulfill position responsibilities?"

Step 2. Screen Applications

Schedule the first workday after the application deadline to screen applications and decide which candidates to interview.

The CES Personnel Office provides a resource detailing "Instructions for Screening Applicant Files - PDF*." (Note: this link requires a CES Net ID to log in.)

Persons from the Interview Team should use the Screening Rating section of the "Applicant Assessment Form" and review each application packet. Each applicant should be ranked on his or her ability to meet each qualification listed. The members of the Interview Team should then discuss the applicants and come to consensus on which applicants should be invited for an interview.

The 4 to 6 people with the highest rankings are the ones you want to interview.

Tips

Before the applications start coming in, set up a mail merge program that will be linked to letters applicants will be sent. That way, you'll only have to type names and addresses once. You'll also have an electronic list of what letter was sent to whom and when.
You don't need to have everyone on the interview team review applications. But do plan on having at least 2 people - the same 2 people - review all the applications.

Step 3. Send Letters to All Applicants

Send a copy of the "Applicant Won't Be Interviewed Letter" to candidates you did not select for an interview.

Contact applicants you plan to interview by phone to schedule an interview time Then send an "Interview Confirmation Letter."

Need Help?

The "Interview Confirmation Letter" includes an invitation to the applicant to request any necessary accommodations for the interview. The person named in the letter as the contact person for these accommodation requests must not be a member of the Interview Team in order to ensure confidentiality of such requests.

Contact the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity Programs for help in interviewing applicants with disabilities or special requests.

Go to "Write the interview questions"

Return to Step 3.

	*PDF files require Adobe Acrobat If you are new to using Acrobat to view PDF files, you should download the latest version of the reader by clicking on the button at left. Select the operating system and language. Then follow the onscreen instructions to install the reader on your computer.
November 24, 2009	© 2009 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, doing business as the Division of Cooperative Extension of the University of Wisconsin-Extension. If you have questions, suggestions, or trouble accessing this page; require this information in an alternative format or wish to request a reasonable accommodation because of a disability - Contact: wnep@ces.uwex.edu