Thursday, September 15, 2005

The Other Side Of The Interview Table

Today, I was given the priviledge to be an interviewer for potential newcomers to the company. Now, being 26 and having the director making me only other personin the room, interview dudes who are older than me, seems like a cool thing. But then, we're interviewing dudes for post of IT Executive, and since I'm the only guy with IT background, there's nothing to shout about.

So what did I actually learn during this interview?? I have been told to be intelligent and active if I were to go for a job interview. There's this guy who did just that. He's very vocal, giving opinions on questions, and talk a lot about his expertise. Somehow or rather, it turned from a "hmm... this guy is knowledgable" to "err... when will he stop talking?!" to "alright, this is downright irritating!". Okay, first of all, answer an interview question short and sweet and to the point.

Secondly, I learn that you have no choice but to squint your eyes when the sun shines directly into it. My director room's window faces the evening sun. His back is to the window, therefore, you know where the interviewee is facing lar. Poor dude have to squint his eyes during the entire interview that you can mistaken him as a sleep-walker answering questions in his sleep. Of course you don't expect him to say "Sir, can you shut the window?" Okay, this means, do not question the director unless requested to (usually at the end of interviews)

Thirdly, for men, marriage is a bonus. My director (and I, haha!!) thinks that one dude was suitable because he's married, therefore he knows responsibility. Quite bias huh? But I guess that is a bonus point for men!

Fourthly, when interviewee comes, you stay in room. When interviewee leaves, show him to the door. In other words, you're not keen to meet up with the interviewee, but when he does show up and finishes, escort him out! Macam security guard lah pulak.

Fifthly (okay, usually I hear up to thirdly only.... no more than that), most interviewee will clasp their hand in the other hand. This is to avoid shivering due to nervousness. Poor dudes all had their hands shaking. I think either my hands did shake during interviews, or I placed them into my pants pocket. Some will even bite their lips in between waiting for questions.

Sixthly, interviewers are very comfortable with interviewees who answers from the heart, not from the mind. This one dude answered to candidly with broken english and informal words surprises us to a point that we find him sincere. At least we know that there's no 'actor' behind the interviewee. Not easy to achieve this kind of easi-ness with interviewer-interviewee events.

Finally, I learn that we MUST discuss about the interviewee the moment they are done with the interview after we have thrown them out, I mean, showed them the door out. "So, what do you think?" "Boss, I think he forgot to zip his pants." "Really ah?!" "Ya lor, so means he do slipshot work, not complete." :P

Here are a few questions that was in my mind, but it didn't reach my mouth to voice it out. I guess the main reason for me not to bring out the question is to save my own skin.

Q: If our gay director make a move on you, how would you react?

Q: If you meet the director in the toilet peeing, and there's no place for him to pee, will you stop halfway and give him your spot?

Q: On your way in from the main door, you would have seen some of our colleagues. Describe our hottest colleague!

Q: Explain the difference between a server and a waiter.

Q: If our director wants you to write a private and confidential email, but you must not know the meaning of the contents of the email, how would you do it?

Q: Our old IT guy used to press the toothpaste for our directors in the mornings. What brand would you recommend?

Q: Is the sun shining in your eyes?! If you dare, ask my director to shut the blind lah. Dare not? Dare not?!

Q: How many computers did you see on your way in?

Q: Who wrote "Gone With The Winds?"

*sleeps*

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