Most companies have human resources departments, but aside from setting policy and procedures for the workplace and conducting interviews, how does human resources participate in the hiring process?
Most job candidates don’t understand the important role HR departments play in the hiring-decision process.
Job candidates often see human resources as a barrier to reaching the people they believe are the real decision makers, so they try to side-step the HR process altogether.
Instead of seeing HR as a barrier one must overcome, why not look at them as a resource for moving the hiring process to the next step?
What is the role of HR in your job search?
David Major, a vice president of human resources has extensive experience with hiring processes. He offers some behind-the-scenes information about the hiring process. He offers a different perspective, and it may correct misconceptions you may have encountered during your search.
• HR, working with the hiring manager, does write and approve job descriptions, and they know the position very well. In some cases HR will job-shadow the manager to better understand their needs and hiring goals.
• HR evaluates jobs in the marketplace, has a good understanding of compensation and knows what compensation range attracts the right job candidate.
The next couple of points highlight why researching the employer and understanding the work culture is so important.
• HR plays a major role in evaluating candidates. Often hiring managers have little interviewing expertise and rely on HR to give their opinion of candidates and suggest those that would be the best fit for the organization.
• How a job candidate prepares for an interview is critical to success. Nothing is more impressive than a candidate who knows the company, the backgrounds of significant personnel.
How can job candidates make a positive impression on HR people during the interview process?
• How a candidate dresses is critical. Take the time to research the company’s work culture before the interview and find out if a suit is considered proper attire or a more casual attire is appropriate.
• Avoid overly aggressive closing questions, such as “Am I going to get this job?” This type of question usually puts the interviewer on the defensive, and you want to build a continued relationship that leads to the next step. There are more positive ways to close an interview.
I would like your impression of HR departments, and how they’ve affected your job search.
