DODGY COMPANY INTERVIEWS

Every year for a number of years now, The Rotary Club of Ilminster has conducted whole year interviews at Wadham School, with a view to giving the youngsters there the opportunity for discussion around what is expected them of them, and pointers in how best to present themselves both in person, and in submitting their CVs when applying for jobs. I’m sure I can speak for my fellow colleagues and volunteers when I say that I feel it is one of the most valuable things we do. You can imagine my concern therefore when the poor interview practices employed by many national companies was highlighted recently. I would suggest that no-one could prepare someone for an interview at which prospective employees were asked to imitate a chicken, or spend time preparing to give a presentation only to be asked to dance before an audience to rap music. I can just imagine the level of discomfort when the interviewee, in his 50s was asked to do this. It would seem that the sole aim of the interview process was to humiliate candidates. In my day job I spend a lot of time interviewing, and have done for many years, giving everyone from head teachers to potential Chairmen, and the office cleaner, the once over. I differ from many who hold that opinion that the interviewer/s should aim to put the candidates at their ease. Whilst not wanting to be deliberately difficult I do believe that certainly in the business world, there needs to be a toughness to survive, and I have no qualms about testing a person’s ability to hold their own when under fire. I have a reputation for it. However, what should be tested are those key skills, whether personal or academic, that are required to perform the job well, and have a positive impact on the company in question. These can be tested in a range of ways but should always, always, have a specific purpose, and this explained to the candidate so that they are fully aware of why that particular skill or experience is necessary to the role. One great bugbear of mine is that nowadays employers advertise posts with no salary given, obviously hoping to get someone on the cheap. It is the job that should warrant a certain level of pay NOT the post holder. Also, why is it that despite candidates spending considerable time and effort on completing application forms, that more often than not their application not even acknowledged, let alone proper feedback given as to why they might not quite fit the bill when compared with others, to give them the opportunity to gain those skills and experience for the future. it would seem that the standard line is ‘other candidates more closely met the criteria for this position’….. which is a cop out. In an ideal world none of us would consider working for such organisations, but sadly, at a time when good jobs are hard to come by, employers hold the reins of power.