Landing the Airplane
Concluding the Interview
By: Robert L. Withers
In preaching we are taught that a preacher who knows his craft is like an airplane pilot – they both know that the takeoff and the landing, the beginning and the ending, are critical. A preacher who doesn’t know how he will begin and end a sermon is likely going to give his congregation a turbulent ride. This principle of beginning and ending, of takeoff and landing, also applies to effective interviews. Let’s explore the importance of a thoughtful conclusion to an interview.
Jake’s Interview
“Hi Jake, how did the interview with Antioch’s search committee go?”
“I think it went well. I was there almost four hours.”
“You must have covered a lot of ground in four hours. Did you get all of your questions about Antioch answered?”
“Well, not really.”
“I guess that’s not surprising. I’m sure you can’t have everything answered about a church in four hours. Did you get your most important questions answered?”
“Well, not really. I went away still not knowing exactly why their last two pastors left and I’m not sure what their expectations are of the new pastor’s wife. Also, they were fuzzy about vacation and health insurance. Then there is the issue of how much input the new pastor will have in the music ministry. Oh yes, and I really wanted to get clarification on the relationship between the auxiliary men’s and women’s groups and church leadership – are they accountable to church leadership and the pastor or not?”
“Wow, those are pretty important questions. Do you plan to get clarification when you have a scheduled follow-up conversation with them?”
“Unfortunately Bob, I left the meeting without a clear understanding of when, or even if, there will be a follow-up discussion.”
“Jake, when are they supposed to let you know whether they are still interested in you?”
“They didn’t tell me. They thanked me for coming and told me that they were interviewing other candidates and that they’d let me know.”
“They didn’t tell you when they’d let you know?”
“No.”
Those listening in on Jake’s conversation with me may be wondering how Jake could have left such an important meeting with so many loose ends. It is no more unusual than listening to a preacher who doesn’t know how to end a sermon well, it happens all the time. Jake either went into the meeting not having planned his “landing,” or during the course of a draining four hour discussion he became too tired to stay on course.
Antioch’s search committee may have had a flight plan that included a takeoff and landing, but may have also become too tired toward the end to execute a smooth touch down on the tarmac.
The result of the above is ambiguity; seldom a good thing in candidate – search committee dynamics.
Tips on Sucessful Interview Conclusions
1. Just as a pilot knows his landing destination; keep a successful conclusion in view. Covering more interview ground at the expense of a thoughtful conclusion is unwise. It is a foolish pilot who flies beyond his fuel supply and crash lands. Both candidate and committee should be prepared to focus on the quality of their time together as opposed to the quantity of information processed. They should also be prepared to schedule follow-up time as required. While the pastoral search process should be professional and expeditious, it should also be prayerfully thoughtful.
2. Concluding questions for the candidate:
a. Are there any areas that I can clarify before we conclude?
b. Do you have any concerns that we haven’t addressed?
c. Do I appear to be a possible fit for Antioch Church?
d. In what ways do I appear to be a good fit?
e. Do you have any questions or concerns about my approach to ministry?
f. How does this process move forward and in what timeframe?
g. Who will be my contact person?
h. How can I pray for each of you?
3. Concluding Questions for the Search Committee
a. Are there any areas that we can clarify before we conclude?
b. Do you have any concerns that we haven’t addressed?
c. Do you think that Antioch Church may be a good fit for you? If so, why? If not, why?
d. How do you feel about this process? (This will give you feedback about how you, as a committee, are doing.)
4. If any of the above questions demonstrate that additional in-depth discussion is required acknowledge that fact and agree that should the process move forward that ample time will be allocated to explore the questions.
5. Conclude with a mutual understanding of the next step in the process and a timeframe. Special Note to Search Committees: If you want to stand out from the crowd, do what you say within the timeframe that you indicate.
Post Interview Tips
1. The candidate should send a note thanking the committee for its time and indicating whether he is still interested in the position.
2. The committee should send a note to the candidate thanking him for his time and confirming the follow-up process.
3. Candidate and committee should reflect on the interview and ask themselves:
a. Are there substantive questions that remain open?
b. What were the interpersonal dynamics like?
c. Were there any questions that were not asked because of tension or a concern over what the response might be? If so, these questions must be asked at some point; unanswered questions may harm the future pastor – church relationship.
4. If the candidate’s spouse participated in the interview what are his or her thoughts, impressions and concerns? Open and honest communication is critical for candidate and spouse and it is foundational for fruitful ministry.
Just as you would not want to board an airplane with a pilot who did not know how to land it; you do not want to participate in an interview without having a clear picture of a conclusion. A successful conclusion is a successful beginning to the phase of the pastoral search process.
Copyright © 2009 Robert L. Withers, all rights reserved
|