Interviewing in 2008
Thursday, July 31st, 2008
Many of the mature workers who are applying for jobs in 2008 may find that it is a much different experience than when they got their first job. The changes in the application and interviewing process have changed dramatically over the last 15 years.
When I applied for my first job, I typed my resume on a typewriter. I used carbon paper that made my hands dirty and if I made a mistake I started all over again. Then about 7 years later the computer became the rage and I typed my resume on a big old personal computer made by IBM. I proceeded to print the resume out on a huge bulky printer that was attached by what seemed to be 30 cables. Then about 7 years later I began to search for a job again only to realize that this new thing called the Internet could be used to locate a job the same way I used to buy 10 newspapers and search through the want ads. Wow! so many changes in such a short period of time. I am almost scared to think that if I needed a job tomorrow would I be technically advanced enough to find one.
Companies are moving in a direction to decrease paper and many of them are no longer accepting paper resumes. Large healthcare organizations and other companies will only take an online application through their website. This means that I have to understand how to use the Internet and how to apply online. For those of use who are not as technologically advanced, this can create much anxiety and may deter individuals from applying for a job I really want. Ironically, some jobs such as dietary aides and housekeepers do not have to use computers on their jobs, yet they are expected to know how to apply online.
Having spoken with many recruiters who receive applications online, one of the biggest pet peeves they have is the applicants do not fill in all the blanks or follow the directions.
Applicants forget to attach resumes or leave certain questions blank that often the recruiters are looking for specifically to see how the person fits into the job or the company. Recruiters will tell you that they receive thousands of applications online and that they only look at ones that are filled out completely and correctly. I find this an interesting process.
In the old days an interviewer would receive your resume and review it. The interviewer would then call you to find out more about you and about your resume. The process would allow for one person to get to know another person slowly. Interpersonal skills were assessed and personality traits were important. Nowadays it seems that interpersonal traits have to be somehow conveyed through an Internet application. How impersonal and difficult to do.
How can I tell you how loyal, dependable and hardworking I am through an Internet application?
If you are lucky enough to be interviewed nowadays you will probably be asked a series of behavioral questions like; how would you deal with a disgruntled customer? Behavioral interviewing seems to be the way for companies to determine whether or not you might be a good fit for the job. I would suggest if you have not answered a lot of questions like: how would you deal with a disgruntled employee, you role play with a friend before you go into the interview. The worst thing that can happen is you have no answer for the question. Years ago no one would think to ask you a question like this. It was basically understood that an applicant would know how to deal with an unhappy customer. Nowadays companies cannot be sure that applicants understand basic principles of dealing with customers unless they ask you behavioral questions during the interview. So don’t be offended if someone asks you how you would handle an unhappy customer, it is a standard question today.
Interviewing today is such a subjective experience.
In the past we thought if we are courteous, mannerly, dressed appropriately and have what is considered by cultural standards to be the standard answer to questions, we would probably be in line for the job. Not today.
Our culture has changed so drastically that there does not appear to be standard answers anymore. What I used to think was an appropriate response to handling a disgruntled customer might not be the way this particular company handles the situation. The old adage that the customer is always right is no longer used. Companies have cultures and you may not fit into that culture if you are an old fashioned person like me. Our way of doing things or what we thought was a standard, may no longer be the case, making the interview a guessing game. Did I answer that question okay? Why did the interviewer look at me oddly when I answered?
What is standard or normal to the older worker can be foreign or odd to an interviewer. Personally I don’t believe it is an age difference issue. I think it is a cultural issue. I think that we accept so many different ways of doing things in our culture that there is no longer a norm or a standard way of doing things anymore. So what we used to think might be the answer an interviewer would want to hear is not, and we can’t figure out what the person wants to hear because his or her cultural attitudes might differ from mine.
Interviewing today is much harder than ever.
My advice is do the best you can and don’t take anything personally. Be prepared and answer the questions with what you think is an appropriate answer. If the company doesn’t agree with your answer than it might not be a place you want to work anyway. If your views and the companies views on how to handle something are that different than you probably won’t be happy there anyway.
Remember you will spend 1/3 of your 24 hour day with that company so interview them when they interview you. Look around and see if it is a place you want to spend a lot of time in and good luck! I hope you find the job you want.
This guest blog was written by Melody McHugh of Comfort Keepers, an international provider of assisted living services in the private home to anyone over the age of 18 who is sick, disabled or elderly. Comfort Keepers serves many seniors in their homes and is an equal opportunity employer. Many retired nurses, teachers and other retired individuals work for this non-medical in-home provider. For more information, go to our website: www.comfortkeepers.com
