The CACTUS Canvas: conducting a structured interview, easily and effectively
The ability to conduct a structured interview is an essential skill for every HR professional who wishes to arrive at a valid and objective selection. According to meta-research by Filip Lievens et al. (2021), the structured interview is the most reliable selection procedure among all assessment methods. Although the well-known STAR method provides a solid foundation, it does not offer the comprehensive structure needed for an optimal selection interview. This is where the CACTUS canvas comes in. This model, developed by Belgian HR expert Wim Thielemans, considers far more than just a candidate’s skills. It offers an easy-to-use, universal framework that allows an HR professional to both draw up job profiles and conduct structured selection interviews while assessing them objectively. This article will introduce you to the CACTUS Canvas, its benefits, and how to use it effectively to strengthen your selection processes.
What is the CACTUS canvas?
The CACTUS canvas is a visual tool that helps you conduct structured, work-related conversations. It ensures that no key aspects are overlooked, and clarifies your selection criteria. As all essential information fits on a single clearly organised page, it supports well-founded and objective decision-making.
CACTUS is an acronym for six essential elements that are relevant to every position within an organisation:
- Career – What is the candidate’s professional history?
- Attitudes – What are the candidate’s primary motivators?
- Competences – What skills and knowledge does the candidate possess?
- Tasks – What tasks will the candidate be expected to perform exactly?
- Further clarification – What additional questions would be useful to both the interviewer and the candidate?
- Score – What is the candidate’s final score?
For whom is the CACTUS canvas intended?
The CACTUS canvas was developed for professionals who conduct work-related conversations, including:
- Recruiters – For structured selection interviews
- Managers – For selection and performance interviews, as well as in-house talent development
- Coaches – For career guidance and personal development
- Consultants – To support organisations in their selection and development processes
In short, the CACTUS canvas is a versatile instrument for HR professionals and managers who aim to conduct high-impact interviews and achieve better results, without compromising on ease of use.
The six pillars of the CACTUS canvas
- Career
This pillar provides insight into a candidate’s career journey so far. What experiences has the candidate gained, and how have these shaped their development?
Example question: ‘What experience do you have that is relevant to this role?’
- Attitudes
This pillar explores the candidate’s motivation and work ethic. What energises the candidate, what do they gain from their work, and how does this align with the organisation’s culture?
Example question: ‘What motivates you to apply for this job?’
- Competences
This section focuses on the candidate’s skills and qualities. What knowledge and competences does the candidate possess, and how can these be applied to the role they are applying for?
Example question: ‘Can you describe a situation in which you had to resolve a challenging conflict?’
- Tasks
This section discusses the tasks involved in the role. Does the candidate have a clear understanding of these tasks? Which tasks appeal to the candidate and align with their expectations?
Example question: ‘Which tasks do you expect to perform in the role you are applying for?’
- Further clarification
This is he moment to clear up any ambiguities and give the candidate an opportunity to ask any questions they may have.
Example question: ‘Do you have any questions about the role or our organisation?’
- Score
An objective evaluation can now be made on the basis of the interview. The candidate is assessed according to a pre-determined scoring system. This helps prevent subjective impressions from influencing the evaluation.
Example question: ‘What score does the candidate receive on the key selection criteria?’
What distinguishes the CACTUS canvas from the STAR method?
The well-known STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is a valuable tool for the assessment of specific competences based on real-life situations. However, relying solely on STAR is not enough. When combined with unstructured questions, this method can easily introduce noise into the assessment, diminishing the reliability of the selection process.
The CACTUS canvas prevents this by ensuring structured questions on all aspects, thereby reducing the potential for assessment bias.
- Broad focus – The CACTUS canvas effectively covers all relevant aspects of a given role; not just the competences. When a new vacancy arises, you can sit down with the hiring manager to determine which criteria carry the most weight.
- Universally applicable – The model can be applied to every role, from operational to strategic levels.
- Flexible in use – You can create a master job blueprint and adapt it to suit specific teams and contexts.
CACTUS in practice: a faster and more consistent selection process
The CACTUS canvas helps organisations assess candidates objectively and accurately. Even more important: it ensures that selection processes are not influenced by the personal approach of individual interviewers. Thanks to a universal selection framework, HR can define organisation-wide criteria that are key to the assessment process. Hiring managers can still add nuances, while the overall structure remains intact. This ensures:
- Faster and more efficient job postings
- Standardised and fair interviews
- Improved decision-making with reduced bias
The CACTUS canvas offers a proven, accessible approach that enhances the reliability and consistency of your selection process.
More information?
Would you like to discover how the CACTUS canvas can strengthen your selection process? Request the free whitepaper at info@dynamo.be and gain immediate practical insights to take your structured interviewing skills to a higher level.
Test your knowledge! Take the Free Big CACTUS Quiz and find out how skilled you are at structured interviewing. Register here!
Text: Wim Thielemans
