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Sometimes I think the entire interview process is turned on its head.
In a typical interview the recruiter commences with a slew of exploratory questions aimed at extracting key information that will help the candidate differentiate him or herself from the other 230 candidates being interviewed.
Our ultimate objective as interviewers is to narrow the hundreds of homogenous Resumes into a crème pile of 20 quality individuals. Pure and simple. Contrary to popular belief, we are not out to get you. Rather, we are trying to assist you in highlighting your strengths and capabilities so that we can meet our quality quota and happily go home.
Despite this obvious intention, I, as a recruiter, seem to spend excruciatingly tedious amounts of time probing the interviewee for information that, really, is aimed at helping them market themselves to me. It is at times like these that I exasperatingly ask myself: "How come I am doing all the work?"
More often than not, it seems that the candidates are quite happy to marinate in their sauces and curtly answer questions in a very superficial manner.
The key to creating the right impression lies in your ability to truly listen to the questions asked of you and respond with the kind of information sought by the interviewer. From my experience, most candidates seem to be having a terribly difficult time in understanding this very basic objective of the interview. The majority of candidates have shown a disappointingly slender grasp of the process of analysis - whether that be a true reflection of their ability.
Before you fire your pre-programmed answers at the interviewer, make that extra effort to examine the true motivation behind the questions asked of you.
Do I merely want to know about the list of extra-curricular activities you participated in or do I want to know about how these activities have added to your capability profile? When I ask you to talk about a topic like the environment, do I want to get the definition of the term or do I wish to gauge your ability to explore wider issues and think outside the box?
When I ask you to tell me about your most significant achievement; take the time to delve into the motivation of your chosen project, the manner in which you applied yourself, the challenges you faced, how you managed the situation and why you feel its achievement deserves the merit you accorded to it. Avoid rattling on an exhaustive list of bullet points that serve only to cursorily answer me with face-value information, making me no wiser as to your accomplishment.
Ultimately, if we have to prise the information from you with a crowbar, you're digging your own grave with a foot in it. The fact that you are not thinking about your responses presents us with a none-too-complimentary view about your ability to perform and advance in our company.
The interview is all about figuring out the kind of person you are, the capabilities you possess and the way your mind works. When you go into your next interview, remember these key points and respond in a manner that will define who you are and why we should be snapping you up like a hot cake.
Yes and No answers will just not cut it anymore. If you want the job, impress the interviewer. No more, and definitely no less.
In a typical interview the recruiter commences with a slew of exploratory questions aimed at extracting key information that will help the candidate differentiate him or herself from the other 230 candidates being interviewed.
Our ultimate objective as interviewers is to narrow the hundreds of homogenous Resumes into a crème pile of 20 quality individuals. Pure and simple. Contrary to popular belief, we are not out to get you. Rather, we are trying to assist you in highlighting your strengths and capabilities so that we can meet our quality quota and happily go home.
Despite this obvious intention, I, as a recruiter, seem to spend excruciatingly tedious amounts of time probing the interviewee for information that, really, is aimed at helping them market themselves to me. It is at times like these that I exasperatingly ask myself: "How come I am doing all the work?"
More often than not, it seems that the candidates are quite happy to marinate in their sauces and curtly answer questions in a very superficial manner.
The key to creating the right impression lies in your ability to truly listen to the questions asked of you and respond with the kind of information sought by the interviewer. From my experience, most candidates seem to be having a terribly difficult time in understanding this very basic objective of the interview. The majority of candidates have shown a disappointingly slender grasp of the process of analysis - whether that be a true reflection of their ability.
Before you fire your pre-programmed answers at the interviewer, make that extra effort to examine the true motivation behind the questions asked of you.
Do I merely want to know about the list of extra-curricular activities you participated in or do I want to know about how these activities have added to your capability profile? When I ask you to talk about a topic like the environment, do I want to get the definition of the term or do I wish to gauge your ability to explore wider issues and think outside the box?
When I ask you to tell me about your most significant achievement; take the time to delve into the motivation of your chosen project, the manner in which you applied yourself, the challenges you faced, how you managed the situation and why you feel its achievement deserves the merit you accorded to it. Avoid rattling on an exhaustive list of bullet points that serve only to cursorily answer me with face-value information, making me no wiser as to your accomplishment.
Ultimately, if we have to prise the information from you with a crowbar, you're digging your own grave with a foot in it. The fact that you are not thinking about your responses presents us with a none-too-complimentary view about your ability to perform and advance in our company.
The interview is all about figuring out the kind of person you are, the capabilities you possess and the way your mind works. When you go into your next interview, remember these key points and respond in a manner that will define who you are and why we should be snapping you up like a hot cake.
Yes and No answers will just not cut it anymore. If you want the job, impress the interviewer. No more, and definitely no less.
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