CSRS selects a quality interviewing staff through a two-step hiring process. Applicants are screened to ensure reading and recording verbatim skills, ability to follow written instructions and general voice quality. Further screening takes place during a CSRS general training where each applicant is evaluated based on their ability to grasp and apply newly taught interviewing rules and techniques. Interviewers are only hired if the CSRS Trainer decides the applicant can conduct interviewers up to CSRS high standards.

CSRS provides intensive project specific training prior to the start of each project. CSRS policy is to never have an interviewer practice on a respondent – interviewers only begin telephoning once they know the questionnaire.