“Don’t end up on the wrong end!”
By: Vincent Scaramuzzo, President, Ed-Exec, Inc.
The group interview is a hiring managers utopia. In this fantasy world Human Resources posts their position. Then hundreds of candidates rush to apply for this “coveted” opening. After HR cherry picks through the resumes they send some type of Profile or Skills test to the “lucky” candidates that remain. Mind you the hiring manager probably never had to take this assessment. Then only the best of the best profile scores are invited to interview at HQ – all at the same time – on the same date.
Often these “finalists” – usually 8-15 in total – don’t even know they are going to a group interview. Up until this point they are usually feeling pretty special. The process has moved quickly and they usually assume they are one of 2 or 3 finalists.
Imagine their surprise when they show up for the interview and are ushered into a room with a bunch of other “finalists” all waiting to be interviewed? I won’t bore you with the details of how various organizations handle the process from this point forward. What I can tell you is the damage is already done. Your hiring dream has already turned into their interviewing nightmare.
Alert! This is true for entry level jobs also. If today’s millennial employee doesn’t feel special in some regard they are much more likely to turn down your position or exit the interview process before it is completed.
Double Alert! If you are using this hiring method for Director level positions I hope you are ready and willing only to hire the out of work and desperate. Because no accomplished manager worth their salt would subject themselves to this treatment in a hot job market.
If you don’t believe me – believe the numbers folks.
Unemployment for January 2017 was at 4.8% according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Wait! You only hire candidates with a completed Bachelors Degree?
Unemployment for those over 25, and with a completed Bachelor’s Degree was 2.5% according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
This is a hiring method that no longer works or applies to today’s economy and candidates. Bottom line is hiring the right people can be the difference between success and failure. To hire the best you have to court candidates, make them feel special, pay top salaries, and offer superior perks/benefits.
If you don’t you might find yourself on the wrong end of a cattle call…
Vincent Scaramuzzo is the President of Ed-Exec, Inc. A leading education executive search firms. He is also a contributing author to various education publications. As a specialist in the education field for over a decade, Scaramuzzo works nationally with Education Institutions, PK-12, and Educational Service Providers Nationwide. He can be contacted at vincent@ed-exec.com 860-781-7641.