Interviewing and Hiring

For guidelines on how to post your open position, as well as tips for writing an effective and inclusive job description, see our overview of the job posting process. 

After posting the open position, you may begin the applicant review process. To determine which students you want to interview, review applicants based on the position requirements and qualifications listed in the job description. 

Using your RISD email, reach out to the student applicants who you would like to interview for the position. 

Example email:

“Dear [student name],

Congratulations! After reviewing your application materials, I would like to extend an offer to you to interview for the [name of position] here with [department / office name].

Interviews are to be conducted on [insert dates] between [insert times] and I am offering interviews in the following format(s): [inset in-person, phone, or virtual option].

Please respond to this email by [insert date] and let me know if you are interested in interviewing. You may send your preferred time (*typically for a 30 minute interview) and format of interview (if you choose to offer more than one format). After I hear back, I can confirm the interview dates.

Thank you very much for your interest and I look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,
[Signature]”

Conduct interviews in your preferred format: in-person, phone or zoom. You can pick one format, or offer various formats for the applicant to choose from. 

Example 30 minute interview timeline:

• 5 minutes: introduction and position overview
• 15 minutes: interview questions
• 10 minutes: time for the student to ask questions and for you to discuss next steps

Example interview questions:

Introduction

• How is your semester going? Did you enjoy your break?
• What is your program of study? How did you choose it?

General

• Tell us about yourself and why you’re interested in this position?
• What qualifications do you have that would make you successful in this position?
• What interests you about our office? Or the services we provide?
• What type of work environment do you prefer?
• How will working in this role help you in your future career?

Behavioral

• Technical skills
  • What experience do you have with [insert tool and / or program names here]?
  • Can you provide examples of using this tool in your school activity or other job(s)?
• Critical thinking
  • Can you give an example of a time you had to quickly change course on a project or a task?
  • Can you give an example of a time you had to make a decision based on limited information?
• Collaboration/teamwork
  • Can you give an example of a time you had to identify or find others to help you on a project?
  • Can you give an example of a time you had to collaborate with another person or group of people?
  • What do you think are the most important qualities for a team member?
• Communication
  • Can you give an example of a presentation you had to give?
  • A student approaches your desk, the phone is ringing, and your boss is calling you into their office. What do you do first, and why?
  • Discuss a situation, preferably during the last year, in which you had to deal with an upset or angry classmate, colleague, or customer. How did you handle the situation?

Wrap-up

• Do you have any questions for me?
• Student supervisor or hiring manager will explain the next steps.
   

Prohibited interview questions

In the US, federal and local anti-discrimination laws prevent an employer from discriminating against an applicant because of participation or membership in a group with a common characteristic (referred to as protected class). Interview questions should never directly or indirectly reference a candidate’s protected class information. Please review the protected classes below and be sure to avoid questions surrounding them as it may be considered discriminatory.

Protected classes include:

• Work/visa status and citizenship
• Marital/family status
• Disability status
• Age
• Race/color
• Personal appearance
• Religious affiliation
• Sex/sexual orientation
• Gender identity or expression
• Political affiliation
• Genetic information
• Arrest record

Review your interview notes and decide which student applicant you want to hire. It's important to have alternatives in mind in case your top candidate(s) do not accept the position. 

Send the job offer through your RISD email and be sure to include: 

• start date.
• wage rate.
• length of employment, if the position is temporary (such as commencement positions, cleanup positions and event positions that last for less than a week).

Example offer email

“Dear [student name],

Congratulations! It is my pleasure to extend an offer to you for the position of [insert position title]. I enjoyed our conversation and feel you have [what prompted you to hire the student] which aligns well with the position. Please let me know by [insert date] if you intend to accept this role. Below are the details of the offer:

• start date.
• wage rate.
• end date, if applicable.
  • *Due to federal regulations, all positions must end at the academic year's graduation date. If you have a student returning for the summer semester, please email studentemployment@risd.edu.

Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
[Signature]”

How you choose to communicate with non-hired applicants is up to you. However, we strongly encourage you to send them a supportive message. Below are some example templates of messages you could send.

Template letter: interviewed but not hired

“Dear [student name],

It was wonderful to meet with you and to speak about [insert position title] position. We found ourselves with a difficult decision as multiple amazing candidates interviewed for this position. After careful consideration, we have narrowed the applicants to those who have the experience that best match the requirements of the position.

We encourage you to continue your search for a student employment opportunity. Based on the interview we had and your experience, we encourage you to consider and/or apply to multiple positions on ArtWorks, the career platform hosted by RISD’s Career Center.

We care for your success and again, thank you for your interest in and interviewing for our position in [insert office or department name].

Sincerely,
[Signature]”
 

Template letter: not interviewed or hired

“Dear [insert student name],

Thank you for your application to the [insert position title] position. You were one of many candidates who responded to our posting, and after careful consideration, we have narrowed the applicants to those who have the experience that best match the requirements of the position.

We encourage you to continue your search for a student employment opportunity. There are more position opportunities available on ArtWorks, the career platform from RISD’s Career Center.

We care for your success and again, thank you for your interest in our position.

Sincerely,
[Signature]”

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