Jobseekers reject companies based on interview experience
Jobseekers change their opinion of a prospective employer based on how good an impression the interviewer makes during the job interview, according to a new survey.
They survey of 305 jobseekers aged 20 to 30 by online job-search tool myjobtips.com, found that 90 per cent of respondents said their overall image of the organization changed as a result of a recent interview experience.
Of those who had a good interview experience, 54 per cent said their impression of the company, its products or services improved. Of those rating the interview as less than good, 22 per cent said it worsened.
"If you want to attract and retain good employees, the people interviewing your candidates have to be prepared and engaged in job interviews," says Bill Beairsto, chief executive officer of myjobtips.com.
"Bad interviewers can turn off not just the person they interview, but everyone they know. Our survey shows that more than 70 per cent of job seekers would recommend a company to their friends as a result of their interview experience."
Jobseekers were asked about their interview experiences in the past two years. The results include:
• 1 in 5 said the interviewer hadn't read their resume before the meeting
• 12 per cent said the interviewer was distracted (answering the phone, leaving the room etc.)
• Nearly 1 in 10 reported being asked inappropriate questions or hearing inappropriate comments (about ethnicity, marital status, looks etc.)
• 4 of 5 job seekers said interviewers were professional and appropriate in questions and behaviour
• 67 per cent said interviewers asked excellent questions and probed to learn more about the applicant's skills
Companies also need to be wary of loyalty among their younger employees. 59 per cent of respondents said they weren't currently looking for a job but were keeping their eyes open and would apply if the right job came along.
They survey of 305 jobseekers aged 20 to 30 by online job-search tool myjobtips.com, found that 90 per cent of respondents said their overall image of the organization changed as a result of a recent interview experience.
Of those who had a good interview experience, 54 per cent said their impression of the company, its products or services improved. Of those rating the interview as less than good, 22 per cent said it worsened.
"If you want to attract and retain good employees, the people interviewing your candidates have to be prepared and engaged in job interviews," says Bill Beairsto, chief executive officer of myjobtips.com.
"Bad interviewers can turn off not just the person they interview, but everyone they know. Our survey shows that more than 70 per cent of job seekers would recommend a company to their friends as a result of their interview experience."
Jobseekers were asked about their interview experiences in the past two years. The results include:
• 1 in 5 said the interviewer hadn't read their resume before the meeting
• 12 per cent said the interviewer was distracted (answering the phone, leaving the room etc.)
• Nearly 1 in 10 reported being asked inappropriate questions or hearing inappropriate comments (about ethnicity, marital status, looks etc.)
• 4 of 5 job seekers said interviewers were professional and appropriate in questions and behaviour
• 67 per cent said interviewers asked excellent questions and probed to learn more about the applicant's skills
Companies also need to be wary of loyalty among their younger employees. 59 per cent of respondents said they weren't currently looking for a job but were keeping their eyes open and would apply if the right job came along.
