I had just finished my MBA (hopefully)
and was looking for a new job opportunity and was going through the usual
process, applying via email and going for interviews.
We go for an interview because we
get shortlisted, and it is only fair to expect to be treated in a professional
manner, but in most cases it is NOT. There isn’t any point if you have a great
product and high sales if you do not know how to attract candidates.
Interviewers forget that apart from judging the interviewee that the employer
is judged, you give us an insight about your company on the way you behave and
although you might not realize it we evaluate you too. Just listing some of the
unprofessional situations I’ve come across during the past few months.
1. Friendly
atmosphere at the Gate/Reception – Turn On
Most companies
don’t do this, but when it happens you feel positive. Nestle had already given
the names to the gate as well as reception and when you go they treat you by
saying “Good Afternoon you are miss. ABC right?” At Avery Dennison, the
security staffs wish you luck when you go in.
2. Extra
Long queue for Interviews - Punctuality is Important!!! – Turn Off
The awkwardness
of being seated for more than half hour with a bunch of candidates can be
horrifying. You stare at candidates faces and do the awkward smile and nod. Plus
it’s a waste of time for us, we are punctual because we respect you and it is
crucial to know if it is mutual.
Multi Nationals
such as Mas Holdings, Nestle, Fonterra & hsenid have exactly started
interviews on exact given time which is quite impressive.
3. Interviewer
not introducing himself – Lack of common courtesy !! – Turn Off Off Off
In most cases I
have to introduce myself and they never introduce themselves back, this is
tragic especially since you are interviewed by middle to top level management.
You feel very disrespected and hey its common courtesy, just say your name and
smile it won’t cost you anything.
4. List
of unwanted looong questions – Seriously??? This is a killer turn Off
You are trying
test us we get it, but please make it relevant, once I was interviewed for
about one and half hours long after seated for more than half hour. Some of the
questions were ridiculous. They asked me “What is your worst nightmare?” and I
wanted to answer “you” By the time the interview was over I was exhausted and I
rejected the second interview because I was so irritated with the first.
5. Not
explaining the Job Role & Responsibilities to the candidate – Turn Off
Please take time
to explain this without playing 20 question games with us. That’s the most
important factor for us, and based on the job role only we can tell our
expected package, and when you do the other way round it gives a feeling that
the company is more interested in how much they have to pay rather than
selecting the right candidate.
If you have a
budget please tell without beating around the bush, we will agree or disagree
and definitely respect you for being honest.
6. Criticizing
your Competitor – Major Turn Off
Remember that
you haven’t still recruited us, so stop criticizing your competitor. Because of
the clientele I have worked for I get picked for interviews by the competitor
companies who expect me to talk about the campaigns of them which I found very
degrading and low. Not only you are insecure it also makes us uncomfortable in
the process.
7. Follow
up email – Turn On
Only few companies
practice this, you know where you stand, I missed one job opportunity because I
didn’t hear from them for one month. By the time they offered me the job I was
employed elsewhere.
Misconception is that anyone
would jump at an opportunity to join a Multi-National Company because of the
reputation and perks, but I feel that people want to join because they are
treated right, from a simple greeting to end of the interview. Sadly, in a
country like Sri Lanka where job market is stagnated and when people are
desperate for jobs, candidates are left with no right to complain. But you just
might lose a good candidate just because you don’t treat them right…. and
because you forget that they evaluate you too…
It may just be a Receptionist or
CEO, interview is an invitation given by you, so treat them right. Who knows
the testimony or an insult you receive by a candidate might take you a long way
;)
