Hiring Manager Interview Horror Stories: How can candidates deal with difficult hiring managers during interviews?
Stay calm. For example, if the manager is being rude, don't let their behavior make you lose your composure. Just answer their questions professionally.
If the situation becomes unbearable, it's okay to end the interview politely. You can say something like 'I don't think this is the right fit for me at the moment. Thank you for your time.' However, this should be a last resort. In most cases, trying to handle the difficult situation with professionalism and grace is the best approach. Also, after the interview, you can consider reporting unethical behavior to the appropriate authorities if it's really bad.
Redirect the conversation. If the manager goes off on a tangent or asks inappropriate questions, gently bring the conversation back to relevant topics about the job. Like if they start criticizing your previous employer, you can say 'I'd rather focus on how my skills can benefit this position.'
Hiring Manager Interview Horror Stories: What are some of the worst experiences candidates have had?
One horror story is when the hiring manager was constantly interrupted by phone calls during the interview. It made the candidate feel unimportant and like the manager wasn't taking the process seriously.
What are some hiring manager horror stories?
I heard of a hiring manager who asked inappropriate and discriminatory questions during the interview. For example, asking about a candidate's family planning when it had no relation to the job. This made the candidate uncomfortable and violated equal opportunity employment laws. It shows a lack of proper training and professionalism on the part of the hiring manager.
Can you share hiring manager horror stories related to the recruitment process?
Sure. There was a hiring manager who lost a candidate's resume right before the interview. So, the interview started with chaos as they tried to figure out the candidate's details. It was a very bad first impression.
What are some hiring horror stories?
A common hiring horror story is when there's blatant discrimination during the hiring process. I knew someone who was clearly the most qualified for a job, but they didn't get it because of their age. Another instance is when the hiring manager asks inappropriate and personal questions that have nothing to do with the job. It makes the candidate uncomfortable and is completely unethical. And then there are those companies that keep you waiting weeks for a response after the interview, leaving you in limbo.
Can you share a hiring manager success story?
Sure. One hiring manager had a great success story. He was tasked with filling a very specialized position in a tech startup. He used his wide network in the industry to find potential candidates. Instead of just relying on the usual job boards, he reached out to former colleagues and industry experts. He managed to find a candidate who not only had the perfect technical skills but also a great cultural fit for the startup. This hire was instrumental in developing a new product line that led to significant growth for the company.
What are the key elements in a hiring manager success story?
In a hiring manager success story, a clear understanding of the company's needs is essential. If the company is expanding globally, the hiring manager should look for candidates with international experience or language skills. Fair and objective evaluation is also a key element. This means using standardized assessment methods. For example, using structured interviews with set questions for all candidates. And finally, the hiring manager's intuition also matters. Sometimes, a gut feeling about a candidate can lead to a great hire. However, this should be combined with objective evaluation methods. A successful hiring manager balances all these elements to find the best candidate for the company.
What should be included in a note to the hiring manager about a resume?
The note to the hiring manager should have your contact details for easy follow-up. Talk about specific projects or tasks in your past that showcase your abilities for this job. And don't forget to thank them for considering your resume.
Can you share hiring horror stories related to large corporations?
Yes. A large corporation once had a hiring horror where they hired a whole bunch of new employees for a project. But they didn't provide proper training. As a result, the new hires were clueless about what to do and made a lot of mistakes. It was a mess for both the employees and the company. Also, in some large companies, the background check process can be a nightmare. They might dig up really old and irrelevant things that have no bearing on the job, causing unnecessary delays or even withdrawal of job offers.
How Can One Deal with Faculty Interview Horror Stories?
When dealing with a long waiting time, use it to your advantage. Review your notes or relax your mind so you can be more focused during the interview. In case of bias from the interviewer, make sure to emphasize your unique strengths and how they can contribute to the faculty. If the technology fails, have a backup plan like a phone call option or be ready to reschedule. If inappropriate questions are asked, you can diplomatically deflect them by saying something like 'I think it would be more relevant to focus on my academic capabilities for this faculty position'.
What are some of the funniest things that happened during a hiring process?
There was an interview where the power went out suddenly. The candidate and the interviewers were in the dark. Instead of calling off the interview, they decided to continue by using the flashlight on their phones. The candidate told some really spooky (but funny) stories about working in the dark in his previous job. His ability to handle the unexpected situation in a humorous way made him a great candidate and he was hired.