Do not write on the question paper QUESTION ONE (COMPULSORY) (a) Your supervisor has invited you to be part of the panel interviewing candidates for the position of Assistant Procurement Officer. Advice the interview panel on the possible challenges that may affect the effectiveness of the interview process so that they may minimize them to get better candidates. [10 marks]

Some possible challenges that may affect the effectiveness of the interview process include:<br /><br />1. Communication Barriers: Misunderstandings or lack of clarity in communication can lead to incorrect assessment of the candidate's abilities and skills.<br /><br />2. Lack of Standardization: If the questions asked are not standardized, it may lead to inconsistent evaluation of candidates, resulting in unfair selection.<br /><br />3. Unconscious Bias: The interviewers may have unconscious biases that affect their judgment of the candidates, leading to unfair selection.<br /><br />4. Time Constraints: If the interview process is rushed, it may not allow sufficient time to assess the candidates properly.<br /><br />To minimize these challenges, the panel can:<br /><br />1. Ensure clear and effective communication throughout the interview process.<br /><br />2. Use a standardized set of questions for all candidates to ensure fair assessment.<br /><br />3. Provide bias training for all interviewers to aware them of their unconscious biases and how to overcome them.<br /><br />4. Allocate sufficient time for each interview to ensure thorough assessment of the candidates.