Where do you see yourself five years from now? What's your biggest weakness? Why do you want to work for Logan Industries?
Those are the questions you might expect to hear from me, the president and chief awesome officer of Logan Industries, after we meet for that all-important aspect of getting a job: The Interview.
That's right, I've used my high position on the corporate ladder to elevate those words to proper noun status. The supposed importance of The Interview in the hiring process is well known. It's what makes or breaks your dreams of becoming a tiny cog in the employment machine, right?
We all know the power of The Interview. Anyone who's made it to The Interview stage of the hiring process knows the basic questions that will invariably be asked. This is your chance to sell yourself. It's finally time to articulate how amazing you are at working in teams, to explain, in intricate detail, about all the challenges you've overcome in the past. If your oratory skills are up to par then what choice does the interviewer have but to hire you? The best interviewee is obviously the best hire.
Malarkey, I say. I don't doubt that most employers will base the final hiring decision on an interview. That wouldn't be a problem, aside from the fact that The Interview is probably the worst prediction tool for eventual job performance ever.
Think about it. What do all these questions reveal about you? Exactly what you want to reveal, that's what. Even if the interviewer happens to ask about specific skill requirements, what you say is likely going to have a positive spin on it. Let's say, for argument's sake, that you're interviewing for a position with the local newspaper.
"This job requires the occasional use and operation of heavy machinery in the press room," the interviewer explains. "Will that be a problem?"
It's unlikely you'll respond by telling the stories about the three cars you've wrecked in the last two years. You also won't mention that you can't even operate a bicycle on campus without running over someone (probably me, with my luck).
Instead you'll point to your eagerness to learn about the machinery you might use and explain you're willing to try anything. If you're charismatic enough, the interviewer might ignore this part. It's only fair if you presented yourself well and seemed qualified for the other aspects of the job.
Therein lies the problem, for interviewers and interviewees alike. The Interview, as it is structured at the majority of businesses, is really more like a test to see whether you get along with the person interviewing you. That's what it's all about, is it not? You're talking yourself up while being nice and respectful, and they're basking in the glow of your praise for their management style and the company in general.
Where are the objective measures of potential job performance? I don't know, but I'm sure the companies that use objective tests instead of an interview are much better off. If the tests are carefully crafted they will no doubt be valid predictors for a candidate's potential.
So what does that mean for you, Student X who's going to The Interview? You should put on your charming shoes, of course. This fallacy in hiring logic isn't in your control, so you should probably follow the advice to dress well and prepare to sell the idea of you to the interviewer. Don't forget, however, that any objective material you can bring to the table might help your chances.
Bring proof of your accomplishments. Past work is the obvious choice, but what does that mean? I can't answer that, because it all depends on what job you're interviewing for. The smart cookies out there will have realized by now that getting experience and work clips is going to have to start now. Get those clips, take them to your interviews and prove that you're really the one for the job.
As president and CAO of Logan Industries, I'm happy to inform you that you're hired. I wasn't particularly impressed with most of your answers during our chat, but the work you brought with you was impressive. Welcome aboard.
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