For some appointments in the Merit System, the selection process includes a structured oral examination (also known as a Qualification Appraisal Process or QAP).  The interview panel will measure your experience, education, and abilities against the job requirements.  The panel will consist of three people (in most cases).  The chairperson will represent Merit System Services and has training in directing and rating structured oral interviews.  The second member is usually a person from a hiring department who is closely familiar with the requirements of the job, and the third member is usually from outside the Interagency Merit System and represents the interests of the public.  All panel members will receive information on the job duties and requirements, and they will be particularly interested in how your background meshes with these.  The names and titles of panel members will be provided to you on the day of the exam.

• Collect information about the classification for which you are testing. Ask Merit System Services for the classification specification, ask the County for the class description, and review the job announcement.

• The questions will be related to knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the job; therefore, use the above documents to think of potential questions and rehearse answers.  Decide which parts of your background and experience are most important for this position.

• Have friends and family quiz you.

• If speaking in front of others makes you nervous, practice.

• Take scratch paper into the examination so you can take notes and summarize the questions you are being asked. Many questions will have multiple parts. Make sure you do not miss anything. (NOTE: You will have to leave the scratch paper with the examination panel). Do not take prepared notes or other written materials into the oral examination.

• When answering the questions, try to be as succinct and clear as possible.  Don’t use acronyms or slang.

• Remember that this is an examination and not a hiring interview. Everyone will be asked the same questions in the same order.  How you answer the questions will determine your rank on the eligible list.

• If you are a current employee, don’t assume the panel members know all about your qualifications. It may be useful to pretend you are talking to complete strangers and want to put your best effort into your presentation.