Interviewing for a Position with DWD

Welcome to our guide for interviewing with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. We want to help you feel prepared and confident for your interview.

We use a structured interview, designed to give all candidates equal consideration. Each candidate has the same amount of time for their interview. Interviews may be virtual or in person. In some cases, we will provide an opportunity to review the interview questions in advance. If the questions are shared with you in advance, make the most of your time and take notes that you can reference during your interview.

We develop interview questions and benchmarks in advance to help us evaluate qualifications related to the position.

• Each candidate will be asked the same interview questions.
• We recommend that you review the job posting (particularly the qualifications section) and position description to help you predict and prepare for what questions may be asked.
• Many of our questions are "behavior based," asking you to share examples of situations you have been in that relate to specific skill areas (e.g. "tell us about a time when…" or "describe a situation where you had to…").
• Your responses to the interview questions will be compared to the benchmarks, which are designed to determine how well your skills and experience align with the qualifications of the job.

Interviews are conducted by a panel of people who are familiar with the job. Most often, there will be three people the panel, one of whom will likely be the supervisor of the position, but this may vary.

During the interview, the panel members will be taking notes on your responses to the interview questions. They may not be able to make a lot of direct eye contact with you, but that doesn't mean they are unfriendly or uninterested. They are listening!

When answering questions, please keep the following information in mind:

• Questions may be in multiple parts or request multiple, specific details. Be sure to give a full answer to each question, even if you need to repeat something you included in your application materials or in a response to a previous question.
• You can ask the panel to repeat a question or define a word if you are unfamiliar with it. You can also take a pause before answering to organize your thoughts. Breathe, relax, and do your best!
• Be a storyteller! Tell the panel about experiences that showcase your skills related to the question they asked. Try using the "STAR" method to tell your story (i.e. describe the Situation/context of the example; talk about the Task, problem or challenge you faced; describe the Actions you personally took; explain the Results/outcome of your efforts).
• Consider using more than one example to show how you used your skills in different situations, which may include unpaid roles. If you can't think of a great example that is directly related, consider highlighting similar ("transferrable") skills.
• Keep an eye on the clock so you don't run out of time!
• If you know a panel member, respond as if you don’t. Answer the questions fully. The panel members evaluate what you say in the interview, not what they know about you from prior experience.
• At the end of your interview, you can ask questions to learn more about the role.

For some positions, there may be additional steps for you to complete before or after your interview (e.g. writing, math, or spreadsheet exercise). If you are asked to complete extra steps, be sure to follow instructions provided, including any time limits.

Following all the interviews, a decision will be made whether to conduct a next round of interviews or to recommend a candidate for the position. We will reach out to finalists about next steps such as reference checking or background checks (if applicable). Be sure to keep an eye on your email, including spam/junk folders, for updates!

We wish you the best of luck with your interview!