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Key insights
- A final-minute complication before a scheduled interview highlighted how candidates take care of unexpected problems in real time.
- The situation offers a bigger lesson about preparation, initiative and what employers increasingly expect in today’s workplace.
I’m on the lookout for an experienced accounting manager for my company. A couple of weeks ago I screened candidates through the same old job search sites and arranged about ten initial interviews. Every interview ought to be conducted via Zoom. I consider it is vital to fulfill candidates in person – even online – before moving them to the following phase.
Frank was one in every of the candidates.
About quarter-hour before the interview, he told us via email that he couldn’t get his speakers to work on Zoom and asked if we could do the interview over the phone. I told him I could not. I waited for him to suggest another choice. He didn’t. When I asked if he had any alternatives, he said no. So I canceled the interview.
Harsh? I don’t consider that. If a small technical glitch makes you freeze, you are not ready for today’s workplace.
But this is not only about technology. Frank can have had other options – trying different speakers or earbuds, using a unique device like his phone, or finding a unique strategy to connect. The specific solution shouldn’t be the purpose. The point is that he presented an issue and expected me to resolve it. And I hadn’t even met him yet.
Frank made a mistake that many candidates do not understand when coping with managers and business owners. Yes, we value experience, professionalism and a positive attitude. Above all, we wish individuals who solve problems, not create them.
We don’t desire individuals who immediately explain why something doesn’t work. We don’t desire individuals who throw up their hands within the face of a challenge. We want individuals who discover a strategy to get things done despite all of the obstacles.
A technical glitch shouldn’t cost anyone a job opportunity – the best way they react to it should. If you may’t troubleshoot your individual Zoom call, how can I trust you to troubleshoot problems in my office? It doesn’t encourage confidence.
This is much more essential in times of enormous corporate layoffs and the accelerated rise of AI. Many jobs will change or disappear. Adaptability and problem-solving will only turn into more essential. The most vital test in an interview is not your resume – and it is not even the interview itself. This is the way you show which you can solve problems.
Today, employees demand more flexibility. They need to earn a living from home, experiment with their very own tools, act independently and tackle more responsibility. Smart employers are open to this. They create environments that promote innovation and ownership. They want employees who will embrace technology and find higher work opportunities.
This is the variety of environment I need in my small business. Given these expectations, how could I confidently hire Frank?
Preparation can be essential. Strong leaders all the time think ahead, and successful employees do the identical. Frank knew this interview was planned. He must have tested his speakers upfront and brought time – days, not minutes – to repair the issue. If crucial, he could have bought a pair of low cost headphones or gotten an alternate device.
Problems always arise in my company. I’m not on the lookout for individuals who will just react. I search for individuals who anticipate problems and are prepared to take care of them.
I admit that I’m not an ideal interviewer. I are inclined to like people and infrequently give them a probability. A stronger interviewer might challenge candidates with hypothetical scenarios to see how they respond under pressure. That’s probably not my style.
But on this case, Frank made the choice easy for me.
Key insights
- A final-minute complication before a scheduled interview highlighted how candidates take care of unexpected problems in real time.
- The situation offers a bigger lesson about preparation, initiative and what employers increasingly expect in today’s workplace.
I’m on the lookout for an experienced accounting manager for my company. A couple of weeks ago I screened candidates through the same old job search sites and arranged about ten initial interviews. Every interview ought to be conducted via Zoom. I consider it is vital to fulfill candidates in person – even online – before moving them to the following phase.
Frank was one in every of the candidates.
