Example research essay topic: Length Of Time Client Company Interview - 1,341 words

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In my previous role as a manager and in my current position I regularly interview potential employees. It is a difficult task, but also an exciting challenge. In many cases, my final analysis will determine the course of an individual's career. It is a very demanding and meticulous role, and I try to take it very seriously. In this paper, I will discuss my role as an interviewer and the steps I take to ensure a good interview. I will analyze my actions in a recent interview and discuss ways for improvement.

Every interview I conduct is usually with an individual who is looking for a new job. I conduct anywhere from one to six interviews per day. It can be very tedious and tiring, but I use a basic structure that enables me to do an effective job each time. Each candidate interview is a quest for knowledge. My goal is to understand what the candidate wants in his or her next job, and to determine whether they have the necessary tools to fit any positions that are currently open. When I say "tools" I refer to not only technical skills, but any social skills as well.

I recently conducted an interview in which I was somewhat unfamiliar with the candidate's skills. While I don't profess to be an expert in most areas, I do need to possess an understanding of many different technologies in order to effectively evaluate individuals. In this particular interview, I needed to research the technology this candidate was using. I did this by reading various publications the company subscribes to, and also by surfing the web.

It is the latter that I find the most information. Once I feel I have a good grasp, I then familiarize myself with the candidate's background. Many people have a difficult time creating an effective resume. I write down obvious questions that pop into my head as I read the resume. These are typically questions about length of time at a previous job, particulars regarding responsibilities at a certain job, how previous positions have prepared the candidate for the position they are now applying for. I also have standard questions I use as well to gain an overall picture of a candidates background.

In the interview, I greeted the candidate warmly and invited them into the interview room. I asked how his day was going and if he had any problems finding our office. He was very pleasant and seemed relaxed. His hands were dry and this confirmed his relaxed demeanor. He was dressed in business casual attire. I went over general information questions, and then asked more in-depth questions as we got to previous employment history.

Here I asked more questions as to the length of time he spent with the company, and what he enjoyed about the experience. Usually, if the answer is positive and keeping with the candidates stated goals or objectives, I feel good and move on. If I sense some negativity or hesitation, I may pursue the matter further. It is in both my and the candidates best interests to understand the good and bad things about previous jobs. It helps identify areas we wish to avoid or look for.

The candidate had very positive things to say about the previous position, but also said that he got bored quite often. I pressed this area by asking specific questions about what bored him. He replied that there was often very little to do, and he didnt like sitting idle. I gathered from this that he liked a high-volume, fast-paced environment and he agreed. This agreed with the position I was considering him for. I explained to him the position and the environment.

Using behavioral interviewing techniques, I then asked him to tell me about a particularly stressful time at one of his previous positions and how he dealt with it. He related an experience, but was pretty general. I pressed a little more, trying to understand the atmosphere and how he dealt not only with the problem, but also with his peers and superiors. He eventually explained that he at first reacted to the stress by internalizing it and not communicating.

He then explained that this did not work well for him, so he asked his boss to call a meeting to discuss the problems the team was experiencing. The stress levels decreased and the problem was greatly alleviated. This told me much about this individual's ability to work in a stressful environment. It said much about the candidate that he recognized the futility of no communication, and that he was proactive in looking for a solution. It also showed me that he has a team mentality when it came to problem solving. We talked more about his skills, and how they related to this position, and then we discussed his goals.

He indicated that he wanted to eventually get into a project management role. I told him that this company did utilize project managers on a short and long term basis, so the possibilities were there. He also indicated that he wanted to gain some more experience in another technical area. I knew that this company was not using this technology, and told him this, but suggested to him that, if he had an in-person interview, he should bring that up as one of his goals. We discussed the location of the company and what his commute time would be. We also talked briefly about benefits.

The last step in this interview process was to discuss what I would be doing from this point on. I described my role, and what the general hiring and interviewing processes of the client company were. I told him what the next steps would be and that he and I needed to stay in close contact. I explained the need for him to keep me informed of other interviews and job offers, so I could help my account manager stay on top of the client company.

We shook hands, and he left the building with a smile on his face. Looking at the interview as a whole, I noticed many things about my candidate. He was very relaxed, but not to the point of appearing disinterested. He had dry palms, which is a telltale sign of nervousness. He maintained good eye contact throughout the entire interview. This told me that he felt comfortable in his answers and that he had very good communication skills.

Ive found that darting eyes or a direct effort to not look another person in the eyes is usually a sign of dishonesty (it is important to note that some cultures and genders will exhibit this trait and are not considered dishonest). From my studies of his skills, I knew that he was competent in his field. His responses regarding past experiences told me that he was a good fit for our client company. His appearance was adequate for this interview, however, I let him know that the interview with the company would be a business formal setting and asked him if he had a suit. He said yes, though he would have to get it dry-cleaned.

This let me know that he was used to wearing business casual, which was the dress code for this company. He appeared genuinely interested in the position available, and asked many questions on his own. He expressed knowledge of the client company as well, which told me he had researched the company prior to our interview. Overall, he was an outstanding candidate. I probably would have asked more behavioral questions, but was sufficiently impressed by him that I didnt. The interview went longer than I normally like, but there was a lot to talk about, and I am glad it went the way it did.

I felt I could present this candidate to our client in a very accurate and positive light. He was presented, and interviewed, and as of this moment has an offer on the table. I hope to hear from him today. Bibliography:

Research essay sample on Length Of Time Client Company Interview