virtual Interviews

WELCOME TO AN OVERVIEW OF THE CITY’S VIRTUAL INTERVIEWS FOR CIVIL SERVICE EXAMS

The City of Los Angeles Personnel Department offers candidates the opportunity to complete their civil service interview virtually. Virtual interviews allow for a safe, secure, and efficient way to accurately assess candidates. Please explore this website to learn more about virtual interviews with the City of Los Angeles!

WHAT TO EXPECT

Below are some general guidelines and expectations for virtual interviews. If you are invited to participate in a virtual interview, please be sure to thoroughly review your interview notice for specific details and instructions, including the interview date and time, check-in time, check-in link, rules, and procedures.

PRIOR TO YOUR INTERVIEW

• Plan for your interview! Virtual interviews must be taken in a private location, away from any distractions. Please ensure that you take your time to plan where you will participate in your interview to ensure you will not be interrupted. You should also verify that your computer is compatible with the video conferencing platform by using the link provided in the Compatibility Check section below.
• Stay up-to-date! Make sure that your governmentjobs.com email address is active/valid at all times. This is the email/account you used to apply for the examination and is where you will receive all test-related correspondence, including critical information such as your interview date, rules and conditions for taking the virtual interview, and/or authorized resources allowed during testing. We don’t want you to miss out!
• Submit your Candidate Agreement! As a candidate, you must follow all the rules for virtual interviews. Reviewing and submitting your candidate agreement gives you an opportunity to review and acknowledge the virtual interview rules you will be required to follow during your virtual interview.

DAY OF YOUR INTERVIEW

• Check-In! You will be required to check-in with Personnel Department staff 20 minutes prior to your scheduled interview. As part of the check-in process, you will present a valid State or Federal issued photo identification card to the web camera, verify your contact information, review the list of raters for the day, and conduct a room scan. 
• Interview! Once your interview rater panel is ready, you will receive an email containing the interview room link. Click on the link as soon as you receive this email. When you enter the interview room, you will see the raters’ and the exam analyst’s accounts on screen in the virtual interview room. The exam analyst will be in the interview room with their camera off and microphone muted to monitor the interview, and will not be evaluating you in any way.

AFTER YOUR INTERVIEW

• Please bear with us! We review and process all test materials before notifying candidates of their status in an examination, which may take several weeks. Therefore, we ask that you please do not call Personnel Department staff regarding your status or score in an examination.

EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

For virtual interviews, you will need a device (e.g., laptop, tablet, or cell phone) with a camera, microphone, and reliable internet connection. You should make sure that you have this equipment ahead of time and that everything is in working order so that you are ready to go when it comes to take your test!

virtual INTERVIEW RULES

DURING YOUR VIRTUAL INTERVIEW, BE SURE TO:

1. Be in a location that is free from intrusive sights, sounds, and interruptions by others.
2. Be in a well-lit room.
3. Silence phones and/or other equipment that may make sounds.
4. Use an electronic device with a camera, microphone, and reliable internet connection.
5. Remain in sight of your webcam with your head and torso visible at all times.

DURING YOUR VIRTUAL INTERVIEW, YOU MUST NOT:

1. Have anyone else in the room.
2. Have unauthorized materials on your desk or table, on the walls, or in the room.
3. Utilize any aids (e.g., books, magazines, literature, internet searches, or notes).
4. Utilize a background or filter during your virtual interview.
5. Use any device to record any portion of the interview or take screenshots.
6. Communicate via any medium to other individuals during the administration of the interview.
7. Make or answer any phone calls while the interview is in progress, except when a technical issue has occurred, in which case the Personnel Department may call to assist you.