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Member since 6/11/04
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Posted on: 7/16/10 11:55 AM ET
*edited for line breaks*
I just want to vent a little about some extraordinarily bad interviewing techniques carried out by "professional hiring managers".
I recently was offered a job at a company (and am very grateful). But seriously, the hiring manager was so inept, it was almost laughable. This isn't the first time this has happened to me. I don't know if HM's training in Europe is different than in America, but they don't even act like they have read a basic guideline on how to conduct an interview.

My background: I attended exactly one interview seminar which was offered as part of my university degree. This also included a few side workshops on how to craft a resume. So basically I know how to answer the standard questions with a bunch of blah blah blah like they recommend.

My last interview:
I applied for a job that was so specifically tailored to my skill set, that I almost wondered why they left my name off the job posting.
We started off with an ice-breaker by them introducing themselves and the job, and then I introduced myself/education/previous job duties.

HM: So why did you apply for this job in particular?
ME: I'm looking for a change and it was a perfect match for my interest and skill set.

Now did this manager learn anything remotely interesting with this question? Seriously, what kind of answer was he actually looking for? Because one look at my cover letter and resume and compare to said job description, and you can check everything off the list. So we're off to a good start. Ok I'll give him a break and think maybe it was "ice-breaker" number 2 and on to the next question.

HM: Why are you looking to change companies?
ME: I have been with my company for a number of years, but am now looking for new challenges where I can apply my experience and skill set to help get the job done.

Okay, after this answer, the HM should be starting to realize that he's not interviewing someone who just walked in off the street and thought it would be fun to apply for a job. Many say that's a legitimate question, because you can catch the occasional goofus that says: Uh, cuz I heard you guys have free drinks like at Microsoft". But I personally feel it's a lame question they ask when they don't know how to come up with any interesting questions.

HM: Do you prefer to work in a team or be alone?
Me: I have actually worked in both situations and prefer the team-environment. In my other job doing XYZ I was in a department by myself and there can be a real lack of idea exchange and interaction. I found I really missed the group dynamic... working on problems with team members, communicating blah blah blah...

Well Mr. HM, the job description says: we're looking for someone who likes a team-based environment with XYZ skills. So asking this question is a dead giveaway as to what answer you're looking for. So strike #3 for not finding out anything interesting about the applicant. I almost started laughing because after my answer he started nodding enthusiastically and started scribbling notes. Good lord, how transparent.

At this point he started describing the company environment and mentioned the point of feedback discussions. I told that at my current company they were useful because they were highly controlled. Only constructive criticism was allowed backed up by specific examples. Each party had to talk about the other person's strength and weaknesses. I said I found that it helped people work together better in the end because you could nip problems in the bud and learn for next time, blah blah blah.

HM nodded along approvingly and scribbled more notes. I thought to myself: Dude! I just gave you the perfect opportunity to put your brain in gear and ask: "So what were some of the strengths and weaknesses that you talked about at your last feedback?" I actually didn't think about that until afterwards, so you know what? He might have actually gotten me to start giving the kind of answers that an interviewer should be looking for from the very start.

At this point, it was easy to turn the tables on them and start asking the questions about the company, the job, the people who work there, the company culture, so that I was getting more information from them than they were from me. This is something I learned in my one-time interview workshop that it's the best case scenario for the applicant.

If I was the HM, you can bet I'd be asking more interesting questions that the applicant isn't expecting. If you know that someone has the skill set you need, then you're probably trying to find the person that is going to fit into your organization the best. Try asking some questions about their personality. What's your top 3 books for a deserted island and why? Do you want to find out whether they are detail-oriented or more creative? Start by saying: haven't you ever been doing something and said: why doesn't somebody invent a "XYZ", and ask them what it was for them. Does their answer help solve a problem? Or was it something to make life more luxiorios? Or was it a cure to cancer? More questions like these help you figure out the kind of person they are and then you need to have a hard think about what kind of personality you are looking to hire.

In the end, I am glad, because an inept interview makes the job that much easier for me. =)
Did anyone even make it to the end of this post? If so, I'd love to hear about any hiring stories you have!
-- Edited on 7/16/10 11:57 AM --
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https://www.allesparty.at
  
Member since 11/11/08
Posts: 1189
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Posted on: 7/16/10 12:36 PM ET
Just because someone is interviewing you doesn't mean diddly squat. A friend and I had that discussion last night! She had some very odd experiances where the interviewer was wasting her time by bringing her in for an interview.
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Reading from Europe
  
Member since 2/19/04
Posts: 10120
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Posted on: 7/16/10 12:59 PM ET
I'm not very good at interviewing, but if someone asked me what 3 books I would take on a deserted island, I would think they were loopy. It reminds me of the "What kind of tree are you?" The famous Barbara Walters question to Kathryn Hepburn. Seriously.
  
Member since 10/1/06
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Posted on: 7/16/10 1:06 PM ET
my husband was asked "what color is your brain". He knew right then that he did not want to work there and basically the interview was over. That phrase has become a family joke
  
Member since 8/2/03
Posts: 7158
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Posted on: 7/16/10 1:40 PM ET
I got my current job with an interview over the telephone! The person I interviewed with wasn't an HR person and he was in a different country (American though) but it was a strange experience. I took the job but the first time I met anyone at all from this company was at orientation!

I agree, the book question would have thrown me off too. Anyway I think the telephone interview style is getting much more common. This was the third time I got offered a job without physically meeting anyone!
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So many projects, not enough time
At my house in VA:
Bernina Activa 220, Kaffe 475, B790
Singer 201-2, 221, BL Enlighten, BL Acclaim, BL Sashiko, BL Euphoria, Consew 75T, Tipton Boss


At my Lake House in PA:
"new" Bernina B570, Bernina 1010, Singer 503A, BL Evolution

http://sewingtechie.blogspot.com/
  
Member since 12/2/09
Posts: 1977
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Posted on: 7/16/10 1:46 PM ET
I think you went to a "fog the mirror" interview- as in you show up, prove you're breathing and they offer you the job.
  
Member since 7/11/06
Posts: 926
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Posted on: 7/16/10 1:52 PM ET
There are fashions in interviewing, at least here in Norway. The "What color are your brain" questions seems to be out of fashion for the moment and personality testing is "in".
  
Member since 4/5/10
Posts: 53
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Posted on: 7/16/10 1:58 PM ET
In reply to KathySews
Quote: KathySews
my husband was asked "what color is your brain". He knew right then that he did not want to work there and basically the interview was over. That phrase has become a family joke



Well, what colour is it?!

I don't know what is up with all the cr8iv pop-psych interview techniques they try these days!

My dad was in advertising and used to put new applicants through the wringer like something from The Apprentice, but I think you need to be really adaptable in that field.
-- Edited on 7/16/10 2:01 PM --
  
Member since 7/28/04
Posts: 3233
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Posted on: 7/16/10 3:10 PM ET
I interviewed with a dept manager for a major, major newspaper in U.S. I was offered and accepted the job. Later, I regreted not listening to my common-sense-intuition-what-was-I-thinking intellect when that man (later my boss) flat out asked me "You're not planning on getting pregnant, are you?"....

I was so caught off guard and trying not to blow the interview at the time that I didn't reply to his rude (and illegal) question. I laughed it off (I had just gotten married is why he brought it up)...it was over lunch at a swanky restaurant and I think he let his guard down. He could have been sued big time...and another manager was with us. (not that she would have backed me up later...)

One thing I've often thought unbalanced about "interviewing" is the fact that we provide a resume/references. Shouldn't the person offering the job/supervisor/manager be providing resume/references right back to the applicant. American needs to fix this...no matter what the job market.

I have worked for what ended up being total jerks and wished I'd seen the clues (they were always there) during the interview.
  
Member since 8/2/03
Posts: 7158
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Posted on: 7/16/10 3:17 PM ET
That was an out and out illegal question! He shouldn't have even guessed about your marital status! Guess that' the upside of the phone interviews - who can tell?
------
So many projects, not enough time
At my house in VA:
Bernina Activa 220, Kaffe 475, B790
Singer 201-2, 221, BL Enlighten, BL Acclaim, BL Sashiko, BL Euphoria, Consew 75T, Tipton Boss


At my Lake House in PA:
"new" Bernina B570, Bernina 1010, Singer 503A, BL Evolution

http://sewingtechie.blogspot.com/
  
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