I applied for the position of Public Safety Transcriptionist at the Pima County Sherif's Department from a post written up with poor grammar on the details of the position. I passed their typing and grammar tests. (They should be retesting their own employees if they can't use proper syntax or grammar in their own job posts on the Pima County website). The oral interview conducted afterwards was shockingly humiliating to put it mildly, and it was a warning sign to me of dysfunction within the Pima County Sherif's Department.
The oral interview is set up to make you feel as uncomfortable as possible and extraverts do very well at this exam according to psychologists, even if the job does not require extraversion. For the interview process, the tables are set up to mimic a court room proceeding. This is "not" an exaggeration. The one who brings you into the room sits off to the side while the three people asking the questions are seated directly in front of you at a separate table. You sit at your own small table facing them directly. Four cards are placed face down in front of you. You are instructed to turn over and read each card as they recite the question. You are timed to only a few limited minutes per question and when the clock starts you can be penalized for inadequate length or asking a scenario question poorly written to be expanded upon for better understanding. The panel is not allowed to answer questions or go off script, and you are not allowed to ask them questions. Also, the panel that interviews you is not allowed to read your resume or qualifications prior to asking you these four questions!
The ability to judge someone's character, personality, or skill by a short four question interrogation is poor to say the least. This interview format does not provide reason or rationality. Unstructured interviews are easy to organize, they are less data-driven, and require less personal approaches, especially when the interviewers aren't allowed to read your resume and research your qualifications! I felt disrespected during the process.