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26 Sep 2011
Having spent much of the last week sat through interviews I think I have mastered the following arts:
1. Looking interested when I'm bored stupid.
2. Asking questions sounding interested.
3. Pretending that the interviewee has a genuine chance of getting the job when I knew from the moment I saw them that they would definitely NOT be getting the job.
We are currently recruiting for a new receptionist after the last one we had left after only two months. I can honestly say that I wasn't responsible for hiring her and I can also honestly say that we won't be using a certain staff agency ever again.
I volunteered to be the one to conduct the interviews as well as sift through the thirty or so CV's, the quality of which was 90% trash. I thought I had selected the cream of the crop for interview but to be honest most of them were still not that great.
Whilst the qualifications and experience on the CV appeared ok, meeting the people in person was a totally different thing. To be a receptionist, front of house, on the phones, the face of the Company, a couple of qualities are expected:
1. A tidy appearance
2. A good telephone manner
Seeing a couple of the candidates for the first time I wanted to throw them out there and then saying; ‘Brush your hair, and put a suit on!'
One candidate was so miserable and down-trodden that I actually felt sorry for her and the interview ended up more of a counselling session after she told me her husband had left her 2 years ago and she lost her job three months later.
If she was able to do accounts I would have given her a job in the back office and only let her out at lunchtimes as long as she promised to never speak to or see clients.
Don't get me wrong I'm not a snob I just think that if you are going to make the effort to turn up for an interview you should at least make yourself presentable and show a bit of enthusiasm.
I am thinking of wearing my scruffs for the second interview stage and see what happens...
The Practitioner's uncensored thoughts come from the coalface of a regional firm in the heart of England
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Visitor comments Add your comment
Not so easy from the other end
I understand the frustrations here but as someone who did 6 months unemployment just over a year ago I was almost the same. Many of these people have been unemployed for such a long time there is no light at the end of the tunnel. I have a BSc and it was incredibly depressing having interviews for PT shop or receptionst roles that were barely going to make a dent in all the debt I had built from being unemployed. Yes, it is difficult having to deal with these kinds of people but please remember, you are getting paid to sit there and ask boring questions. Many of these people have most likely just spent their whole week's budget getting to an interview that they feel no passion for or even offered a job from it.
Posted by: Becky, 27 Sep 2011 | 09:12
OMG !
Sorry Becky - As a sole practitioner I can't believe what you have just said ! We as practitioners get paid "ZILCH !" for interviewing (in fact it costs us a fortune carrying out the process of employing - & the process is very time consuming) & often is wasted by those that turn up. We are self employed and therefore only make money when directly engaged in carrying out work for clients.
Sorry, but if you want a worthwhile job, please make the effort to ensure that you want / fit the job you're going for, as the number of potential employees we see that make no effort what so ever or are totally unsuitable is unbelievable.
I worked up from an office junior (YTS) at the age of 17 & now run my own practice at the age of 41. Trust me, the path has been far from easy - but along the way I have always made an effort for any job that I've gone for, and had to work evenings / weekends in order to get through courses to qualify etc. Setting up the practice was also not simple - starting with 2 clients and now 6 years later at a stage where things are a bit easier - I have built up debt in that time & it will take a long long time to pay it off - but in the end it will be worth it. Life isn't easy, and those that work for themselves expect a far more positive approach from potential employees.
Posted by: Rob, 28 Sep 2011 | 14:48
Fair point, but.....
Reading the article, I can see the situation you find yourself in. That being said, if someone is unsuitable from the off, I would suggest it was far better to give them some constructive feedback there and then, and not get their hopes up.
I would also have serious words with the agency, as really speaking they should be making sure that their candidate is turning up in a presentable and decent manner.
Whilst some leeway can be given for someone being lacking in confidence after some time out of a job, surely turning up looking neat is common sense?
Posted by: Claire, 29 Sep 2011 | 10:23