Homework: Informational Interview- Recruit, Develop, Assess, Reward, Retain

INTRODUCTION

To gain a real-world perspective on hiring, onboarding, and performance management, for this homework you will do a short interview with an HR professional - or with a manager - at your workplace. You will ask a total of five questions and keep a record of the responses. Then you will write a report of 2 to 4 pages, summarizing the answers you received and reflecting on the impact the interview had on you.

INSTRUCTIONS

Approach your HR department - or your manager - to arrange a short informational interview with a mid-level or senior professional in your workplace (half an hour or less). If you cannot make this happen in the timeframe required, you may instead interview a business professional whom you know outside of your current workplace.

Questions for the Interview:

You will prepare for the interview by selecting three of the questions provided below and creating two questions of your own. Your overall set of five questions should relate to at least two of the following HR topic areas: hiring, onboarding, and performance review.

Select three of the below questions:

A. What 2 or 3 key competencies do you seek in job candidates? Why are these competencies at the top of your list?
B. When would you hire externally and when would you promote internally to fill gaps in your team?
C. How useful are references to you in assessing job candidates?
D. How do you onboard new members of your team or department?
E. What performance review process does your organization use? How effective is it?

Outline for your Report

Write a paper of 2 to 4 pages that provides a report on your informational interview. Use the Outline provided below to organize your report into four sections. The prompts in each section are provided to help you cover all the required topics for the homework.

I. Introduction

1. Describe the position and business role of your interviewee
2. Explain your relationship with him or her.

II. Questions

1. For each question, briefly summarize the interviewee`s response
Note: Do NOT write out the interviewee`s exact words

III. Reflection

1. Comment on any answers that surprised you and explain why
2. What did you learn from this interview that you can apply in your own work?

IV. Conclusion

1. Sum up your learning from the interview on at least two of the following HR topic areas: hiring, onboarding, and performance review.