Topgrading is a top-performing person evaluation model invented by Bradford D. Smart in 1989. Topgrading asks for behavioral interviewing and feedback from peers and subordinates of top performers after they have been evaluated. Interview questions to validate topgrading need to be topgrading interview questions, including those from topgrading interview templates.
In addition to validating the top performer as defined beforehand, top grading goes into detail about what made him or her a top performer: key attitude traits that enabled their success – attributes such as drive, ambition, discipline, work ethic, integrity – and key skill sets – including business development skills such as prospecting and sales process competencies such as presentation skills or the ability to call top executives.
What is Topgrading Interviewing
Topgrading interviewing is the process of asking more than just standard interview questions. These questions allow employers to see how well an employee will fit into their company culture and team, so they need to have excellent interviewing skills!
The topgrading techniques are comprehensive, but they do take more time. For topgrading, you need to ask open-ended questions that allow candidates the opportunity to talk about themselves. The topgrading interviewing technique is just another way of getting past the resume, application, and cover letter before being offered a position at a company.
Topgrading techniques are quite popular with companies because they provide them with employees who are sure to be a good fit with their culture, so topgrading interviews are really worth your time.
Topgrading Interview Questions: Topgrading Company's Process
The company’s topgrading process typically consists of four phases. First, select the person who will conduct the topgrading process; second, define the traits required for success; third, survey subordinates and peers; and finally, validate top grading based on results. Sometimes a recruiter will need several attempts at validating top grades before they can be considered as having successfully validated them (this differs per company).
Topgrading Interview Questions: Types of Topgrades
The standard topgrading process results in what is known as a topgrading top-grade, which consists of three different types of topgrades.
First, there are topgrading top grades given to top-performers; second, there are topgrading top grades given to top graded average employees; and third, there are bottom grading bottom grades given to bottom graded bottom-performers.
Topgrading produces an HR dashboard where companies can see how productive their teams are at a topgrading top-performer level. By identifying topgraded top-performers at the topgrading top-level, topgrading top-grade top-performing employees are more likely to become topgrading top-performers in the future.
To achieve this goal, organizations can use topgrading interview questions to pick candidates who are most likely to become top graded top performing employees.
Topgrading Company's Interview Process
A typical topgrading interview process will rank top graded top performers
In addition to the traditional interview process, most topgrading companies use standardized tests and past experiences as part of the topgrading process.
A top performer will usually go through several sequential steps to complete the interview process. Once an organization agrees to engage in the topgrading interview process, prospective topgraded top-graders are often given a questionnaire with questions designed to assess their top-grading skills and work ethic. Top Graded top-performers will be ranked on a scale.
They are also likely to be asked how they would handle hypothetical situations, such as bad performance or lack of motivation among subordinates. How would you correct the situation if you had a team of people who were not topgraded top-grades?
The answer should include specific examples of what action topgrading top grades have taken in other situations.
Conflicts are often used to find out if an individual does not have a problem with authority. Conflicts with a person who had more authority than the individual seeking should be avoided. Similarly, conflicts with people who do not have as much power as the top grader should also be avoided.
Best Topgrading Interview Questions
Here are a few of the best topgrading interview questions that you can ask or be asked:
1) What is your favorite thing about working here?
2) How would you describe the culture here?
3) Are there any projects in your current/previous role that you are particularly proud of? Why?
4) Is there anything you would like to change about your current/previous role?
5) When are you looking for another job?
6) What were the top 3 reasons that motivated you into this industry? (Or, what was your top motivation in applying for this specific position?)
7) What’s the top thing that attracts you to this company?
8) Based on your topgrading interviewing, what can we improve on? (Or, What would you like to see us improve upon?)
9) How do you feel about our topgrading interviewing process? Any feedback?
10) Do you have any questions for us? Any concerns with topgrading interviewing?
CONCLUSION
Topgrading is a rigorous process that can take time to complete, but it is one way companies can evaluate who are qualified for management positions.
By asking the right questions, topgrading interviewers will be able to evaluate who are top-grading top-performers.
By asking topgrading interview questions, you can get to know the candidate personally, making it much easier for you and them to decide whether or not they would make a good fit. So by using topgrading interview questions, both parties win!