It’s Time to Turn the Tables

So many times, I’ve reviewed the Interns’ posts and heard just about the same thing at any time. The post is about how they’ve been contacted by a recruiter for a job opening. The trouble is, the job doesn’t seem to be open any more. In the alternative, they go on the interview and the job seems to have vanished. Interesting, that.

The Candian Headhunter, aka the Recruiting Animal, has a post that echoes that of our Interns. One of the comments is from David Perry who has some very sensible advice — qualify the recruiter.
So many times, we go into an interviewing situation thinking of it as a time when we, the interviewee, are going to be grilled and evaluated and then someone will decide whether or not we are good enough for the company. Actually, interviewing is a two-way street. (Please remember that.) Not only is the company determining whether we are a good match for their needs, we as the candidate need to be thinking in terms of whether this company is offering what we want. Is it the right culture? Does it have a learning environment? Is the position a deadend street or is the potential growth? Those are just a few of the types of questions that should be answered.
The other thing that needs to come out in the interview is not only who we are as a potential worker but who the hiring manager or recruiter is. David poses some excellent questions to ask the recruiter. Did you ever think it might be wise to screen the recruiter for what they do and how well they do it?
The other thing to remember is that the interview is definitely not a time for anyone to be grilled. This is a meeting, a conversation. It is the first date in order to learn whether we want to spend more time with this potential companion. So don’t treat it as a tense time when when the interrogation will be to determine whether you stole the diamonds. Have a conversation. During the conversation, ask questions that allow the other person to reveal more about theirself. During the conversation, toss out a little bit about your own accomplishments, share a “boy was that a great experience” story, give an inside look at the day you weren’t sure you could save the sinker but did.
But most of all, make certain you become much more assertive in seeing the interview as not a time when you’ll be accepted or rejected. Rather, see the interview as a time when both parties are being evalueated through conversation.

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