Just like everyone else, after my studies, I was attending job interviews. Lovely experience. Quite relaxing. Very pleasant. Loved to repeat it.
You could read about it HERE
But I got one thing to admit: I was on the other side of the table, too.
Before you start moaning about double standards, I'll tell I never rushed into it voluntarily. Just happened.
Now.
Like almost any other thing in life, first time is always the hardest. I was thrown into water and said "Swim" without particular direction on how to and where to. So, I managed somehow.
For me, the primary aspect is written in a bio: is the candidate skilled for position they applied to. Most of it is written clear for those who read it, although modern times bring modern CVs that hide some important information, but those who thoroughly read the document and process it come to the questions that should be asked. Today you may find about 50 ways to write your resume in "attractive mode" so that, at least, first step/barrier on your way to stardom is passed. Most of it is just appearance, from decision to sort your info by skills or by years to the font it is printed in. Applying Verdana will not give you this job, but putting your CV in 1/2 sheet without a cover letter will just provide LOL and it won't be yours.The substantial info remains same, e.g. you know to do it or you don't.
Next, of course, was my first impression when meeting candidate, and I believe we all do it on everyday basis: the way someone looks, shakes hand, what are the words they say, what manners they show, what is the body language, mimics, how they dress, do they smile a lot or not at all, do they appear casual or uptight, do they take the lead in conversation or follow it...Having unbuttoned shirts and short dress is a big plus at nighttime, not office time. Vivid colors yes, but hey, we're not mating parrots. Show creative approach, but don't cross the line. Show style, but don't cross the line. Be natural, but don't cross the line.
The questions I asked were merely those "let's see what you can do" "what is your experience so far" and "what would you do if...". It is very hard to evaluate someone's ability to work in your office at half an hour conversation, during which all sides try hard to present/sell themselves as the only option. Under such time pressure, many things remain unsaid, covered or just unseen, and hiring a potential serial killer seems possible if s/he learned how to show up Hollywood style.
On the other hand, my stand is better be quiet about things to hide (about company you represent) than to lie. I find it quite inappropriate to say "We have plenty of high-budget clients that splash bucks like crazy on us, that's why we wanna hire you, only you'll be wet NOT by this golden shower, but your sweat and tears only, you'll be working as an intern (smile)"
Ridiculous tests I successfully passed show me there are strange, even bizarre questions employers and their True-or-False Guantanamo HR Depts ask:
"I never get angry"
"When I was young, there were times when I felt like leaving home"
Sometimes way-too-similar to the Personality test in CoS (see my entry on it HERE) I was at the point to ask myself whatthefuck does this have to do with my engineering knowledge, what "Do you find yourself angry easily?" and "Did your parents praised you for your achievements?" can show about my personality if you don't know the back of the story?
I still believe this is just further step into dehumanized work environment, where HR try VERY hard to remain in blowing-smoke business (paying them VERY well). Robotized pick-up is leading to robotized relations. Using computerized commands instead of inner feeling on recruitment leads to email-resigns and pink slips sent by mail. These are too important decisions to be made by algorithms instead of human think/feel process, or to quote Laszlo Bock, Google's HR executive:
"Google can tell you with very high confidence what phrase you are going to type, six letters in. On the people side, the levels of confidence are very, very different, but in a way, the impact is much greater. If I get a bad auto-suggest, my life doesn’t change. But if somebody makes a bad assessment based on an algorithm or a test, that has a major impact on a person’s life—a job they don’t get or a promotion they don’t get."
So, if Google says so.....
You could read about it HERE
But I got one thing to admit: I was on the other side of the table, too.
Before you start moaning about double standards, I'll tell I never rushed into it voluntarily. Just happened.
Now.
Like almost any other thing in life, first time is always the hardest. I was thrown into water and said "Swim" without particular direction on how to and where to. So, I managed somehow.
For me, the primary aspect is written in a bio: is the candidate skilled for position they applied to. Most of it is written clear for those who read it, although modern times bring modern CVs that hide some important information, but those who thoroughly read the document and process it come to the questions that should be asked. Today you may find about 50 ways to write your resume in "attractive mode" so that, at least, first step/barrier on your way to stardom is passed. Most of it is just appearance, from decision to sort your info by skills or by years to the font it is printed in. Applying Verdana will not give you this job, but putting your CV in 1/2 sheet without a cover letter will just provide LOL and it won't be yours.The substantial info remains same, e.g. you know to do it or you don't.
Next, of course, was my first impression when meeting candidate, and I believe we all do it on everyday basis: the way someone looks, shakes hand, what are the words they say, what manners they show, what is the body language, mimics, how they dress, do they smile a lot or not at all, do they appear casual or uptight, do they take the lead in conversation or follow it...Having unbuttoned shirts and short dress is a big plus at nighttime, not office time. Vivid colors yes, but hey, we're not mating parrots. Show creative approach, but don't cross the line. Show style, but don't cross the line. Be natural, but don't cross the line.
The questions I asked were merely those "let's see what you can do" "what is your experience so far" and "what would you do if...". It is very hard to evaluate someone's ability to work in your office at half an hour conversation, during which all sides try hard to present/sell themselves as the only option. Under such time pressure, many things remain unsaid, covered or just unseen, and hiring a potential serial killer seems possible if s/he learned how to show up Hollywood style.
On the other hand, my stand is better be quiet about things to hide (about company you represent) than to lie. I find it quite inappropriate to say "We have plenty of high-budget clients that splash bucks like crazy on us, that's why we wanna hire you, only you'll be wet NOT by this golden shower, but your sweat and tears only, you'll be working as an intern (smile)"
Ridiculous tests I successfully passed show me there are strange, even bizarre questions employers and their True-or-False Guantanamo HR Depts ask:
"I never get angry"
"When I was young, there were times when I felt like leaving home"
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| Do your test (click to enlarge) |
I still believe this is just further step into dehumanized work environment, where HR try VERY hard to remain in blowing-smoke business (paying them VERY well). Robotized pick-up is leading to robotized relations. Using computerized commands instead of inner feeling on recruitment leads to email-resigns and pink slips sent by mail. These are too important decisions to be made by algorithms instead of human think/feel process, or to quote Laszlo Bock, Google's HR executive:
"Google can tell you with very high confidence what phrase you are going to type, six letters in. On the people side, the levels of confidence are very, very different, but in a way, the impact is much greater. If I get a bad auto-suggest, my life doesn’t change. But if somebody makes a bad assessment based on an algorithm or a test, that has a major impact on a person’s life—a job they don’t get or a promotion they don’t get."
So, if Google says so.....
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