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aconnor82
Newbie
Joined: 29 Mar 2009
Posts: 4
Career Advice: +0/-0
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 Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 6:40 pm Post subject: How to deal with someone not asking questions directly? |
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| I have been on several interviews with no offer. I am noticing a certain trend with some of the interviewees. I am used to and know how to answer those kind of questions where you are asked a quesetion about yourself or your job skills. However, on these interviews there were no questions like this. It was just a casual conversation. They would tell me about the job, I would chime in with a techinical question (because that is what I thought I should do) and there was no questions directed toward me or my experience. It was more of them talking and then asking me if I had any questions about the position. I asked questions, but I was thinking to myself 'well don't you have any questions for me??' How should I have handled this situation so I know better next time? I think they were basing the interview more on my personality then my experience or what I had to say about it. |
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Erin23
Junior Member
Joined: 09 Apr 2009
Posts: 22
Career Advice: +0/-0
Location: Chicago, IL
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| Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 7:08 pm Post subject: |
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I think you are right in your assessment of the interview. You said
| Quote: | | I think they were basing the interview more on my personality then my experience or what I had to say about it. |
As someone who has spent several years interviewing candidates myself I have participated in various types of interviews with many different people. What I have found is everyone is unique and different on how they conduct their interviews. It sounds like from your example that this interviewer was trying to assess your personality more than your qualifications (that is probably why you were confused). Many times interviewers are more interested on whether you would be good fit with the rest of the team and if you are trainable and have the "right" attitude working for their company. You have been taught to respond to certain questions on an interview and when your thrown a curve ball like this its tough to figure out what exactly is the right appraoch.
I have to say their is no right or wrong approach in this situation. I would suggest just be yourself and ask questions that you truly want answers for. For example, you may really want to find out what the culture is like in that organization so inquire about. Not only should the interviewer assess whether you would be a good "fit" but you should also assess if you think you would like working there. Its not all about whether someone is qualified to do the job-many times people can be trained to do a job (if they are open to it) so the interviewer just wants to make sure they have a good natured person on their team that is going to mix in well with the other employees..
Hope this helps and good luck with the rest of your interviews. Just remember be yourself and of course you want to have good answers for questions but also be aware that you want a good match just as much as they do. |
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Pauloz
Expert
Joined: 02 Oct 2007
Posts: 1160
Career Advice: +3/-0
Location: Sydney
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| Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 11:05 pm Post subject: Re: How to deal with someone not asking questions directly? |
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| aconnor82 wrote: | | I have been on several interviews with no offer. I am noticing a certain trend with some of the interviewees. I am used to and know how to answer those kind of questions where you are asked a quesetion about yourself or your job skills. However, on these interviews there were no questions like this. It was just a casual conversation. They would tell me about the job, I would chime in with a techinical question (because that is what I thought I should do) and there was no questions directed toward me or my experience. It was more of them talking and then asking me if I had any questions about the position. I asked questions, but I was thinking to myself 'well don't you have any questions for me??' How should I have handled this situation so I know better next time? I think they were basing the interview more on my personality then my experience or what I had to say about it. |
aconnor82
There's a further problem here, while I don't disagree with Erin's assessment. Some interviews are really just going through the motions. This is pretty much "how not to do an interview" in terms of the merit principle.
The fact is that the merit system is abused, regularly, by people who should know better. This sort of interview, if done at a high professional level, would generate a lawsuit, because the interviewers weren't seeking information which could lead to a recommendation for appointment.
"Personality" isn't a basis for hiring anyone, and if you've had a few interviews like this, I'd say you've been wasting your time.
I don't know what industry you're in, but there is no legitimate interview methodology based on casual conversations. Even in the sloppiest, most nepotistic environments, that's an extremely primitive, incompetent, form of interview. That's how things were done 50 years ago. It resulted in huge turnover of staff, and hiring practically anyone who could hold a conversation.
They may have taken the soft option, and based their recommendations on the applications, but that's even less competent. Anyone can put together an application full of false information and fake references, and if the interview is just a casual conversation, how are they going to check the information they have?
You should have been asked questions.
You should have been checked out, thoroughly, regarding your qualifications, experience, knowledge base, and career path.
This is almost unbelievably amateurish. Were these people senior, or just time serving middle managers? If they were senior, they'd already made up their minds. If they were middle level, they were acting under instruction, I'd say.
Sorry you've had this particularly futile experience. Suggest that in future you check out with interviewers what sort of interview you're going to have when arranging your attendance. |
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aconnor82
Newbie
Joined: 29 Mar 2009
Posts: 4
Career Advice: +0/-0
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| Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 6:33 pm Post subject: Thank you |
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I want to thank both of you for replying to my question. Pauloz - I totally agree with you. I thought it was strange also. Like I kept asking questions to show that I understood the job details, but they never really asked me about my experience. The worst part is that I feel like she was just trying to be really friendly, but wanted to catch me off gaurd. Like she said the partners (btw she said she was IT) were really friendly and nice, they are never jerks and I said something like "Yes, I am much more willing to go above and beyond for someone that respects me." Like I wasn't sure how to respond. It was just things like that, where it was more my character coming into play. And I must have done something to offend her because at the end she said "I am hiring based on personality and whether or not you are th right fit." And then I don't get the job? I feel like not getting this job was because of some flaw in my personality. Man, being unemployed is getting depressing.
Also - this was for a temp receptionist positon that I got offered to interview through a headhunter. The lady that interviewed me was at best an office manger. Also I thought was strange she brought in the receptionist I would be 'covering' so we could talk or whatever. That does not really seem necessary or professional to me. I mean is this for a job or is this dating? You know what I mean?? |
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