Recruitment Interview
Recruitment interview is the way to assess and select a
candidate if his/her ability and qualification meets the
available job requirements. It usually consists of a series of
questions - asked by the interview board - so as to deduce the
candidate's ability and to see if he/she fits rightly for the
post.
Studies have finished (but learning process is continuous) and
it is time to go around searching for a job. If one asks whether
it was for a job that we all study, well, no would be the
answer. We all study in our schools and colleges for knowledge
relating to everything that is important or will help one to
lead his/her life in a better way. But doing a job is to make an
earning by making use of all the skills or knowledge you have
acquired during your college days. Ideally, it should be a
balance of both these two.
As a prospective job seeker starts his/her hunt by shooting off
a set of resumes to various companies around, and if the person
is found eligible for a particular post, the employer in turn
invites the candidate to their recruitment interview. And there
starts the drama. The interview board will pose a series of
recruitment interview questions to the candidate so as to assess
his/her personality, knowledge of the subject, attitude and
skill. That is the thick of the action as far as a recruitment
interview is concerned and hence the candidate should be doubly
prepared for the prospective recruitment interview questions
that possibly would come in his way.
>From an interview board's point of view, the recruitment
interview questions should be specific about the requirements of
the job for which they are conducting recruitment interviews,
should be sharp and to the point and has the variety to test and
subsequently judge the candidate in all the necessary aspects
within the stipulated time of 30 or 40 minutes.
For an interviewer's perspective readying for a recruitment
interview, here are some words of wisdom,
Prepare and make a note of recruitment interview questions in
advance. Spontaneity helps, but not always. Recruitment
interview questions should be prepared according the company's
field of interest and the job requirements. Arrange the seating
in a relaxed way, clear your desks, exude a serious intent and
make sure to keep the interviewee at ease. Begin the recruitment
interview by giving a brief introduction of the company, its
motives and its role in a bigger industry perspective.
Recruitment interview questions should be open ended like what,
tell me and how, thereby prodding the candidate to do more
talking. Ideally, in a recruitment interview, the candidate
should be doing 90% of the talking. High pressures seldom expose
the candidate's qualities. Hence ideally the recruitment
interview questions should be posed in a calm and relaxed
atmosphere And finally, as a first line of screening in the
recruitment interview, you can use a psychometric test or
graphology and keep the results with you, in order to discuss
the result and your feedback with the candidate. The position in
the test is a discussion factor only and not a deciding element.
Also, ensure that the test had been conducted in your premises.
Now, from an interviewee's point of view, as a preparation for
the recruitment interview questions, he/she ideally should be
Doing enough research on the company, its motives and aims and
the current status in the industry. Such details can be obtained
from the company website. Prepare thoroughly on technical
matters that is related to your job and qualification. Most of
the recruitment interview questions can be based on the
requirements of the company. If you already have another job
offer or have been interviewed by the company's immediate
competitor, do mention such points to the recruitment interview
board. Review and be clear about your personal goals. Speak
openly about it and say how you plan to achieve them. The
recruitment interview board always focuses on the attitude of
the candidates. Have a clear and updated resume that speaks out
your qualification, work experiences and other skills. The
references you mention should be reputable and good in nature
and make sure that they'd each be more than happy if contacted.
Most of all, keep a charming and positive outlook. It is the
overall attitude of the candidate that makes or breaks the
recruitment interview deal.
These are a general set of observations on recruitment interview
and associated recruitment interview questions. The weight-age
of the contents of the recruitment interview questions may vary
with the company or the recruitment interview board. The
candidate should be prepared mentally for any sort of
recruitment interview questions. It is all about being positive
and yes, being smart and rational!