DATE: Saturday, September 27, 1997          TAG: 9709270370

SECTION: BUSINESS                PAGE: D1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY MIKE ABRAMS, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                    LENGTH:   48 lines

HANNAFORD GOES BY WAY OF THE VIRTUAL INTERVIEW

During its job interviews, Hannaford Bros. Co. uses computers to ask applicants questions such as ``How would you handle a shoplifter?''

It's part of a growing trend in corporate hiring - the computer-assisted interview.

The multiple-choice interviews require little computer knowledge on the part of job applicants, yet they offer a variety of benefits to those doing the hiring:

Consistency and fairness. Companies use the computers to avoid biased interviews that go beyond legal limits.

Public relations and training. Hannaford uses its computers to play company orientation software and job safety information.

Predictions of work performance. The questions are designed to help employers better predict how an employee will do on the job.

``People answer computer questions more honestly than they answer human beings,'' said John Vegas, director of Hannaford's new Hilltop area store. ``They know they aren't going to be judged (by a computer).''

The computer interview is just one part of a longer process involving several face-to-face talks, and it's not supposed to make or break a candidate.

The Hannaford program, created by Aspen Tree Software of Laramie, Wyo., asks math queries and poses job-specific ethical dilemmas. Applicants respond to the dilemmas, such as the one about shoplifting, from a few options provided.

Aspen has developed similar programs for Macy's, MCI and 7-Eleven, among others.

``We have seen huge growth the last couple of years,'' said Mike Lynch, the software company's sales manager.

Recent Hannaford hire Jennifer Gilliland, 21, said the computer taught her a thing or two.

``I learned I can't add,'' she said. ``I missed two or three math questions.''

Not to worry. Vegas, her supervisor, said she got most of the answers right. ILLUSTRATION: Photo

John Vegas, store director for Hannaford, operates a computer used

for interviewing the grocery's prospective employees. KEYWORDS: HANNAFORD BROS. CO.

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