Even if you have the most stellar resume, if your personality doesn't jibe with the people you'll potentially be working for, you can pretty well guess where that resume will go. However, work environments change from time to time, with new management and personnel. One job I interviewed for had just hired a person up for the same job. However, knowing that employees usually get a 90 day work trial before being let go (just before, say, your health insurance would kick in), I checked back. The person was being let go because they didn't perform as expected and they needed a replacement. And, they saved costs in advertising and training since I came into the job with experience. Turns out a change in management had also preceded our encounter. Nothing like getting into the fray in the middle of upheaval. But, that does happen and best just to blend in for a spell. Bring candy to your desk in a nice seasonal dish. that way you get to meet everyone.
EBof OR9:25AM September 29, 2009
Job interviews have always, for the most part, been artificial and fake. Due to the econoomy, I think we are approaching a whole new level of subjectivness. Come on, how about a little concentration on the canidates ability to do the job, get along with co-wotkers communicate effectively and be amicable?????
Seanof FL8:49AM September 29, 2009
I absolutely agree that the interviewee should not ask how much time you have. That may be interpreted as you have other plans or something more important to do other than your interview. Not a good impression!
On the flip side, when I contact a potential employee to set up an interview, I make it a habit of letting them know that they should plan to spend "x amount of time" with us.
As for the rest of the article...right on! There are lots of ways to turn off the interviewer!
Valof CT8:25AM September 29, 2009
I'm not sure asking how much time we have for an interview is a good idea. It puts the interviewer on the defensive; it forces her to tip her hand. The interviewer is no longer able to cut the interview short if the interviewee clearly is not the right fit. Worse, it is an almost obvious grab for control of the interview.
Everything else that WG said, though is right on. The interviewee can, and should, direct the interview, at least in part. This is especially true if the interviewer is incompetent, but should be true even if the interviewer is stellar.
There are two reasons for this. First, at an interview, there are two interviews going on; the company is interviewing the candidate and the candidate is interviewing the company. Second, at an interview, we are in "marketing mode." As any good marketer would do, we need to be the ones in charge of telling our story.
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EB of OR 9:25AM September 29, 2009
Sean of FL 8:49AM September 29, 2009
Val of CT 8:25AM September 29, 2009
Bill G of WI 10:09PM September 23, 2009