by Beth | Oct 25, 2011 | Employee Hiring, Interview Process
I have seen companies who are looking for employees post a blind ad, meaning they post an ad without using the company name. This ad will request that the candidate send their resume, which includes personal information like addresses and phone numbers. If you have ever responded to a blind ad, then you know that those ads are usually solicitations of some sort.
What does a company hope to gain by posting a blind ad? Anonymity? How would you expect to attract quality candidates while remaining anonymous at the same time? It is a conflicting message to candidates: “Please apply, but not really…” Placing the company name on an ad is setting the tone for the application process. The ad says that the company is proud to open its doors to the next best person to work here. It says that the company is serious about finding someone great. It says, “Please apply, quality candidates, come join our team.”
by Beth | Oct 20, 2011 | Interview Process, Selecting Good Candidates
In the movie “Up in the Air,” George Clooney remarks “I stereotype. It’s faster.” It may be faster, but it is not 100% predictable. In other words, you cannot predict an employee’s success in their position by stereotyping. I work with business owners and hiring managers every day who use stereotypes to predict employees’ success or failure. I say that for every stereotype that exists and is used to predict behavior, I have a success story to disprove it.
So, which interview method works best to accurately predict the likelihood of success in an employee? The answer may surprise you: just listen.
Don’t talk. Don’t think about the next question you are going to ask. Don’t look at your phone. Don’t clean your finger nails. Don’t tie your shoe. Sit. Focus. And listen. Really hear, observe and absorb what your candidate is telling you. Be entirely present to the moment, and the candidate will tell you if they will be successful in the position with their answers.
by Beth | Oct 19, 2011 | Selecting Good Candidates
Christopher Robin: “There now. Did I get your tail back on properly, Eeyore? “
Eeyore: “No matter. I’ll most likely lose it again anyway.”
Last month, I interviewed a candidate who was world weary, tired and unhappy. This person had been out of work for a long time in an industry that is rapidly changing. The overall impact was the “Eeyore Effect.”
Christopher Robin and his gang are forever reaching out to help their friend re-attach his tail, but Eeyore shows no appreciation for their efforts. Not only does he not thank Christopher Robin for helping him, he criticizes Christopher’s work. He also puts forth no effort to permanently find a solution to his tail falling off. Has he thought about super glue? Stitches? Duck Tape?
In other words, Eeyore is an energy drainer. He is hard to be around. He has very little enthusiasm for his life, his work, his tail or even his friends. Can you imagine as if you had an employee like this?
Watch for the “Eeyore Effect” while you are interviewing, even if when faced with the world weary, tired and unhappy.
(Thanks to Michelle Barnes for “The Eeyore Effect”)
by Beth | Oct 6, 2011 | Uncategorized
My clients and I were interviewing a man who arrived prepared with several sealed 8×11 envelopes. When he sat down, he asked if we needed a copy of his resume. I said “no thank you” because I already had one sitting on the table in front of me he’d already provided. He mentioned that he also brought some additional documents like references. He began describing his last manager with such anger and venom, I was concerned and actually did want to see the references he brought. When he opened the envelope to hand them over, he struggled with the envelope’s seal. While I was curiously wondering why the envelopes were sealed to begin with, he whipped out a huge serrated edge knife to slice one open. Wide eyed in amazement, we unfortunately did not hear what he said because we were so focused on that knife. We ended the interview really quickly, realizing that the candidate was probably not a great fit.
While this individual had some really amazing experience, my client actually felt somewhat threatened in the interview process. Be careful how you present yourself to future employers. While opening a letter with an appropriate tool is certainly understandable, carrying a weapon into the interview is probably not the best way to secure your chances for employment.
by Beth | Oct 5, 2011 | Interview Process
I recently asked my network on Linked In how we can improve the relationship between job candidates and the organizations who interview them. I was stunned at the response. Every single respondent replied with a request to communicate more effectively. One person even stated “While I don’t want the answer to be no…let me get you off my list!”
A-list Interviews responds to every application we receive on behalf of our clients. Taking care of your candidates, even after the application process is completed, is a direct reflection of your company, not to mention an incredible marketing opportunity. While, I agree, some respondents to do not take the news of rejection well, the incredible people who are ideal for another company deserve the respect of a response. It is as easy as an auto responder email stating, “Thank you for your application. If you haven’t heard from us by x date, then we have moved on with other candidates.”
In closing, when you post an ad, get some free marketing by responding to your applicants and Just Say NO!
