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Opinion: Millennial blogger sounds off on her terrible interview experiences

Millennial, and blogger of  Its A Sher Thing, Tamryn Sher, sounds off on her worst interview experiences.

I recently left my full-time corporate job and was back in the job market, for the first time in almost three years. What surprised me is how inconsistent and inconsiderate HR managers can be. One would think that something as simple as getting back to a candidate, to give them feedback on an interview is a very pedestrian part of the job that should be both habitual and instinctual. Believe me when I say it’s not. Here are a few gentle reminders for HR managers on interview etiquette, given by an interviewee who is speaking from recent experience.

 

Be prepared:

The person coming in for an interview has spent time and money to get to the interview, they’ve also likely done research on the company and they’ve had to get into the right frame of mind to prepare for the interview. Please read over their CV at-least once before the interview. The number of times I’ve walked into an interview excited and ready, only to be asked to wait while the interviewer reads over my CV as they haven’t had a chance to yet. It’s unprofessional and shows that you are ill-prepared.

 

Honesty is the best policy:

If at any point in the interview or interview process you realize that the interviewee is not the right person for the job, give them feedback and stop the process. Don’t let them do a writing test /IQ test / Psych evaluation and come in for additional interviews when you know they’re not the one. This is not fair on the interviewee who is now investing time in your company. They’re also mentally thinking that they are progressing along the interview process, when in fact you’ve already made up your mind that they are not the person for the job.

Respect the people you interview:

The interview process is an emotionally taxing process for any interviewee. Don’t keep them waiting for long periods of time. If the interview is for 2pm, interview the candidate at 2pm. Candidates have usually left the office to come through for the interview and need to get back to the office.

 

Feedback:

Please have a heart. Once an interviewee has given up their time and come in for an interview, they deserve feedback. I’ve attended interviews, thought they went well, done writing tests, met with the MD and haven’t heard anything back from the company. I’ve followed up after a week, been told they will get back to me and never heard back from them. Let the person know that they were not hired because their salary was out of your budget, or you had concerns about their skill-set. Don’t just leave them hanging.  

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