Many years ago I attended an interview
a corporate interview
three wise men on one side of the table
me on the other side of the table
They asked me a question
but were not listening to my answer
one stared in intimidation, the other looked bored
and the third emitted sheer indifference
in desperation I looked behind them
there was this blank wall
which gave no cues of encouragement
but atleast no discouragement-as from the wise three men
so I looked at the wall neutral , and continued my answer
I could atleast retain the flow of my speech
without intimidation without discouragement
why do we do this? I asked myself-
meeting candidates as if a favour to them
using interview not to know and understand their fit
but exhibiting our own importance
exhibit our knowledge as being more than theirs
and generally belittle the hapless victim
Is it because in India
we have so many people ?
if not one then another one ?
'my whim', influence or money determines selction
correct fit is just for the books!
Has anything changed over the years
methods, approach or styles of interview ?
Has awareness changed in the globalised era ?
Sadly not much- hardly at all in manufacturing
There is still the feeling
" giving my time for this is a favour"
too much time
waste of time!
The other day I organized-
for frequently interviewing , senior leaders
a training program on interviewing skills
but there were few takers...
many never turned up
even the ones who came
felt one day was too long-
half a day is the maximum time
that one can spare from a busy schedule
others were aghast and felt it a blasphemy
to be told they need training
for the mere role of interviewing!
After all what was their experience ?
What was their stature?
Oh when will corporate leaders realize
that recruiting is serious business
that recruiting right is the key.....
an antidote to future heartburns
If only we cared for people
right from the beginning
we would have happy candidates at the interview stage
happy employees at a later stage
contributing fully zestfully
for they were selected by diligent leaders
sincere and responsible leaders
carefully for their worth- for their fit
they sit pretty and comfortable in their roles
they are not square pegs in round holes!
a corporate interview
three wise men on one side of the table
me on the other side of the table
They asked me a question
but were not listening to my answer
one stared in intimidation, the other looked bored
and the third emitted sheer indifference
in desperation I looked behind them
there was this blank wall
which gave no cues of encouragement
but atleast no discouragement-as from the wise three men
so I looked at the wall neutral , and continued my answer
I could atleast retain the flow of my speech
without intimidation without discouragement
why do we do this? I asked myself-
meeting candidates as if a favour to them
using interview not to know and understand their fit
but exhibiting our own importance
exhibit our knowledge as being more than theirs
and generally belittle the hapless victim
Is it because in India
we have so many people ?
if not one then another one ?
'my whim', influence or money determines selction
correct fit is just for the books!
Has anything changed over the years
methods, approach or styles of interview ?
Has awareness changed in the globalised era ?
Sadly not much- hardly at all in manufacturing
There is still the feeling
" giving my time for this is a favour"
too much time
waste of time!
The other day I organized-
for frequently interviewing , senior leaders
a training program on interviewing skills
but there were few takers...
many never turned up
even the ones who came
felt one day was too long-
half a day is the maximum time
that one can spare from a busy schedule
others were aghast and felt it a blasphemy
to be told they need training
for the mere role of interviewing!
After all what was their experience ?
What was their stature?
Oh when will corporate leaders realize
that recruiting is serious business
that recruiting right is the key.....
an antidote to future heartburns
If only we cared for people
right from the beginning
we would have happy candidates at the interview stage
happy employees at a later stage
contributing fully zestfully
for they were selected by diligent leaders
sincere and responsible leaders
carefully for their worth- for their fit
they sit pretty and comfortable in their roles
they are not square pegs in round holes!
