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I go in with no notes and just want to see how these technical people react. They are used to technical questions - they are not used to questions like I asked today "you live in an area that I feel is preferable to our current location, in weather, in economy, and in things to do outside of work. Why do you want to move here?" She had a completely shocked look on her face.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Emigrations
I'll directly address your foolish question. I attempted to break some ice with some small talk about where she went to graduate school. When I originally received the resume, her phone number was my hometown's area code. This is really odd for a tech role. She went to a school in that area code, and I simply tried saying "hey, I noticed your area code was "XXX." I grew up about two hours from there." I really wanted her to say something about the area, just to make her seem more human after that ridiculously stodgy resume. I got no response at all, much less an intelligent response. I would have been fine with "oh, cool." A normal person would have at least exchanged a sentence or two about the area. I couldn't even get that much. If you can't exchange a simple bit of casual talk with the interviewer, what's to make me believe you can make a few minutes of casual small talk on a weekly client call? Nothing.
My reasoning is if she can't make small talk with me, when I throw the bait, she can't do so with clients. Like I said, this position requires some degree of relationship management. This is not a relationship management position, but if you are totally inept in this regard, it will show.
We discussed nothing about family or marital life. You, stupidly, inferred that. I didn't even think of going there, it wasn't on my mind at all. I looked up her Facebook and she seems a lot more lively/normal there. We are currently an office of nine men and one woman, but we also had a Muslim woman employed until the last two months who was very family oriented. The hiring manager is far more flexible about teleworking than the official company policy provides for - as he has kids and a family himself. This is not some hard ass autocracy.
Looks like I really touched a nerve here. Sounds like you're trying to walk back the story. Based on your earlier post, you weren't throwing the bait, you were setting a trap see "how these technical people react."
I neither asked a "foolish question" nor did I "stupidly infer" anything. I made several statements, but not a question. And as for the inference, again I was merely pointing out that it doesn't matter what was in your mind at all; it's what the person you are interviewing perceives it as that matters.
Oh, and judging by your reaction, I wonder what "fit" really means in your company.
So, hiring managers... If one works his or her tail off to get educated, is polite and well mannered but isn't extroverted or socially smooth... Let's even say they're socially awkward... Should they just assume they won't get a job in today's marketplace? Mayve not a job working with clients, necessarily, but just in general - since everyone needs to have that "work personality" down? Are there enough jobs for reserved introverts to go around?
I'll directly address your foolish question. I attempted to break some ice with some small talk about where she went to graduate school. When I originally received the resume, her phone number was my hometown's area code. This is really odd for a tech role. She went to a school in that area code, and I simply tried saying "hey, I noticed your area code was "XXX." I grew up about two hours from there." I really wanted her to say something about the area, just to make her seem more human after that ridiculously stodgy resume. I got no response at all, much less an intelligent response. I would have been fine with "oh, cool." A normal person would have at least exchanged a sentence or two about the area. I couldn't even get that much. If you can't exchange a simple bit of casual talk with the interviewer, what's to make me believe you can make a few minutes of casual small talk on a weekly client call? Nothing.
My reasoning is if she can't make small talk with me, when I throw the bait, she can't do so with clients. Like I said, this position requires some degree of relationship management. This is not a relationship management position, but if you are totally inept in this regard, it will show.
We discussed nothing about family or marital life. You, stupidly, inferred that. I didn't even think of going there, it wasn't on my mind at all. I looked up her Facebook and she seems a lot more lively/normal there. We are currently an office of nine men and one woman, but we also had a Muslim woman employed until the last two months who was very family oriented. The hiring manager is far more flexible about teleworking than the official company policy provides for - as he has kids and a family himself. This is not some hard ass autocracy.
Have you considered that maybe she hated the area that you lived in? Maybe she was assaulted there, or bullied, or just despised the weather? It certainly wouldn't be a plus in an interview to mention those things.
Why does an office with ten employees require 8 to 10 individual interviews with a perspective employee?
Is the position tech support for a product you sell or lease? If not, why are would there be any relationship management?
She should have been hired. You know I never get this, you want someone with a stellar resume and experience, but when one comes along, personality becomes the deciding factor.
Companies and managers always moving the goal posts.
No one is perfect, employers should hire and shut up!
She should have been hired. You know I never get this, you want someone with a stellar resume and experience, but when one comes along, personality becomes the deciding factor.
Companies and managers always moving the goal posts.
No one is perfect, employers should hire and shut up!
I'm pretty sure the employer will hire. It's not as if companies are vesting time in searching for candidates without hiring anyone. With unemployment rates at below 3% for college grads, it's certain that employers are hiring.
So, hiring managers... If one works his or her tail off to get educated, is polite and well mannered but isn't extroverted or socially smooth... Let's even say they're socially awkward... Should they just assume they won't get a job in today's marketplace? Mayve not a job working with clients, necessarily, but just in general - since everyone needs to have that "work personality" down? Are there enough jobs for reserved introverts to go around?
I wonder if it ever crosses the mind of employers that people can "fake it" during an interview to get the job. Then after getting the job, the person can slowly relax into who they are.
If they can get the job done without offending clients, coworkers, or their manager, I wonder why they'd be a problem. Soft skills are easier to develop than hard skills.
I wonder if it ever crosses the mind of employers that people can "fake it" during an interview to get the job. Then after getting the job, the person can slowly relax into who they are.
If they can get the job done without offending clients, coworkers, or their manager, I wonder why they'd be a problem. Soft skills are easier to develop than hard skills.
They sure do, all the time. I fake it enough while letting key parts of my personality out. I think, to a certain degree, everyone fakes it at some point in their career, whether it be for a specific interview, during a job they need training for but never got it, or while interacting with coworkers, just to get through the day and to make it pleasant.
I do believe no one is 100% themselves in an interview. Your goal in an interview is to "charm" the interviewer while gently suggesting to them to see that you are the best candidate/fit for the job. I think a certain degree of fakery is needed while doing so.
Maybe others disagree.
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