Many would exclaim “No way Jose” however I am here to suggest well, er… maybe every now and then it’s possible. Hear me out.
Bombing an interview really hits you in the solar plexus. We know you really get ONE shot at making that indelible impression. Articulate your experience, knowledge, and achievements succinctly but with punch and panache. Be confident, but humble. Be enthusiastic, not overzealous. Have questions, do your research etc etc. A good consultant will always ensure their candidate is prepared, the onus also resting with the candidate. Preparation is everything.
But what about when life/other stuff happens?
Recently I had a brilliant candidate for a brilliant position. He was bursting with relevant experience, a seamless cultural fit for my client and we had prepared. He was ready. However, the evening prior to the interview he received devastating news, a terminal diagnosis of a loved one. Despite lack of sleep and an understandably frail mental state he proceeded to the interview, earnestly wanting to keep his commitment.
The postpartum interview review was bleak. Whilst triage was attempted on my patient (I mean um, candidate) I was miffed why he didn’t reach out to simply reschedule. Sometimes life just happens, and we don’t make the best decisions. I wasn’t walking away, determined to secure a better outcome, and managed to convince my client to give him another shot. Never underestimate empathy, kindness, and a practical suggestion.
At Optimum Consulting we are empathetic, we are kind and we also like to make practical suggestions. We use a very powerful tool viddi, which allows our clients to essentially view a video presentation of the candidate, which can be extremely beneficial due to time or geographical challenges. Whilst viddi is primarily endorsed for pre-screening of candidates, questions and expectations can be tailored, making it versatile and extremely valuable. In this instance the candidate was able to re-answer what he initially stumbled over with an endearing sentiment of tactful remorse and gratitude – success ensued!
The takeaway? Both candidate and consultant should always be 100% prepared for any interview discussion, yet be mindful and prepared for the odd and unfortunate situation that can all too often be avoided. Utilise tools and resources to bypass potential mishaps and ensure success is inevitable. If you would like to discuss how various tools and resources like viddi can improve your recruitment process, please reach out to Optimum Consulting today.
Michelle Murphy
Executive Consultant, Group Solutions
