The Structured Interview for Candidates without Internal Audit Experience (AS-05)

• Structured Reference Check for Candidates without Internal Audit Experience

This Structured Interview is intended to assess candidates without Internal Audit experience for selection to positions at the AS-05 – Senior Internal Auditor level. The interview consists of behavioural and situational questions that assess six key competencies required of a Senior Internal Auditor. The questions are job-related and systematic, making this tool an effective and valid source of information in fair and accurate selection decisions, especially when used in conjunction with the Structured Reference Check for candidates without Internal Audit experience.

Competencies assessed

• Communication;
• Analytical and strategic thinking;
• Teamwork;
• Project management;
• Risk assessment; and
• Additional expertise.

How the Structured Interview works

The Structured Interview consists of two types of questions:

• Behavioural questions — candidates are asked to describe a professional experience in which they had to deal with a certain type of situation; and
• Situational questions — candidates are asked to describe how they would respond to a hypothetical situation.

Before the interview, candidates receive a printed version of the interview questions and have 20 minutes to read the questions and prepare their responses.

The actual interview is a maximum of 50 minutes. There are six interview questions, each targeting one competency. During the interview, all Interview Board members take detailed notes of the candidate’s responses to all questions. Following the interview, the information is compiled and integrated by the board members, who subsequently discuss the information and observations gathered during the interview and achieve a consensus regarding the performance of each candidate.

Definitions of competencies

Communication

Listening to others and communicating, both orally and in writing, in an effective and professional manner that ensures the message is understood.

Analytical and strategic thinking

Interpreting, linking and analyzing information in order to understand issues and provide relevant insight.

Teamwork

Working collaboratively with others, and leading and supporting a team to achieve common goals and positive results.

Project management

To efficiently and effectively plan, develop, communicate and implement a project to deliver on project objectives.

Risk assessment

Knowledge of and ability to identify, assess and manage risk.

Additional expertise

Applying business knowledge and subject matter expertise to undertake work and complete assignments.

Candidate information

The Structured Reference Check for Candidates without Internal Audit Experience (AS-05)

The Structured Reference Check for candidates without Internal Audit experience is a useful source of information on a candidate’s past performance and behaviour. The Structured Reference Check provides reference checkers with a structured set of questions that assess a total of eight competencies. Referees are asked to provide examples of behaviours that the candidate has demonstrated in relation to the target competencies. This Structured Reference Check is to be used as part of the assessment process for candidates without Internal Audit experience for selection to positions at the AS-05 – Senior Internal Auditor level; it is most useful when used with the Structured Interview for candidates without Internal Audit experience.

Competencies assessed

Competencies at the AS-05 level are assessed by a peer and a supervisor/team lead. The Structured Reference Check for candidates without Internal Audit experience (AS-05) assesses three competencies with a peer:

• Communication;
• Relationship management; and
• Teamwork.

The Structured Reference Check for candidates without Internal Audit experience (AS-05) assesses six competencies with a supervisor or team lead:

• Results orientation ;
• Environmental awareness;
• Relationship management;
• Project management;
• Risk assessment; and
• Internal audit.

How the Structured Reference Check works

• Guidelines are sent to the referees to assist them in preparing for the Structured Reference Check;
• Reference checkers then contact each referee and conduct the reference check. The reference checker ensures that the examples provided describe the candidate’s past accomplishments in a structured manner — clearly showing how the target competencies were demonstrated in the workplace; and
• When the structured reference check is conducted by the Personnel Psychology Centre, PPC provides personalized reports to the human resources advisor or the manager responsible for the appointment process.

Definitions of competencies

Results orientation

Focusing personal efforts and the efforts of the others on achieving results consistent with larger priorities and objectives.

Environmental awareness

Integrating the priorities and objectives of the department and government into work products and actions to achieve results.

Communication

Listening to others and communicating, both orally and in writing, in an effective and professional manner that ensures the message is understood.

Relationship management

Developing and maintaining openness and transparency in establishing an internal network, and proactively seeking to develop other networks within the department, across government and with industry to further the organization’s goals.

Teamwork

Working collaboratively with others, and leading and supporting a team to achieve common goals and positive results.

Project management

To efficiently and effectively plan, develop, communicate and implement a project to deliver on project objectives.

Risk assessment

Knowledge of and ability to identify, assess and manage risk.

Internal audit

Applying relevant standards, methodologies, tools and techniques when undertaking work and delivering internal audit products.