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Interviewing through HR vs. Directly
Posted on 06/07/2006 by the cynic
Viewed: 927 times
Which have you folks had better experiences with? Now that I'm back in the job-search pool, I've reflected on my past and realized that EVERY job I've ever gotten has been either through recruiters, or through interviewing directly with the person I'd be working with. Historically, I have almost always gotten the job.
With HR, I find that I almost NEVER make it past the interview stage, although I usually do get the interview. Normally it's an HR person calling me up (or calling the recruiter who's placing me), saying "Why don't you come in and see if there's a match," and then the second I walk through the door, they are cold. One lady was cold from the first second, making me think that either I turned out to be the wrong race or height or something; others turned cold when they asked about my degrees and how I use them. They generally cop more attitude about my experience and are far more critical.
So, share your stories! what do you think? Is this person to person and situation to situation, or is it generally harder to get a job through HR? I have some prospects coming up where I have to go through a very tough HR lady, and am getting nervous!!
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the cynic(06/07/2006)
I should clarify that the reason I have posted a lot about having trouble getting hired, is that today, it seems that you almost always have to go through HR. Pain.
vanilla ginger(06/07/2006)
My housemate is having a similar experience. He has come away from just about every interview with the impression the HR people have no freaking clue what he's talking about. (we both work in mortgage - he on the sales side). Seems like HR people are hired for their HR skills, not because they have to understand the industry they work in. Also, it's been said before that HR can be used as a "screening" department. Of course, if they don't know what you're talking about, how well can they screen you?
At any rate, mabe you should start calling and asking the name of the department supervisor and try to contact them directly.
Good luck.
 the cynic(06/07/2006)
I've also heard things like HR people judge your hair, your nails, whether your suit is "this year" or "last year," and other superficial things like that (in addition to checking your Myspace profile and other such thing). I wonder if it's because they DON'T know what you are talking about, so they resort to judging you on other, stupider stuff?
 freedomringer(06/07/2006)
I have never been offered a job through an HR person. I have always had interviews with the director of the department. HR can only do a few things, A. Fill out paper work etc. B. Workers comp and EOE stuff. They do not have clear knowlegde of skills required for any positions I have applied for and would not know talent if it bit them in the A**. I think they are only a screening mechanism, unfortunately, they are humans and subject to jealousy and fear talent when they see it. Mediocracy is what they are looking for. Cynic my advice to you is go to these screenings with a humble approach. I will be sending you mojo vibes. Go to these screeings with the knowledge that we are all behind you wishing you the best. I apologize to any HR person reading this, your skills are useful for the skills I mentioned above and employees certainly appreciate those services.
wheelsa(06/07/2006)
Once, I talked to an HR person who told me that they would not hire someone with my degree. I have an aerospace degree and I was talking to a construction manufacturer. He did not know what to say when I told him that I was currently woking contract for them. A couple months after that a front page article in the company newsletter was about how they are trying to hire more people with my degree. Currently I have been here 11 years. Nine full time. I wonder how many people this guy chased away.
the cynic(06/07/2006)
Thanks everyone. Wheelsa--Yes, I get the "you're overqualified because you went to college and took some graduate courses" more from HR, while direct hirers seem to be impressed by my education. I simply keep 2 resumes around--one that plays down my credentials more and the other that plays them up--and send as appropriate. They also complain about my psychology degree more (HR). Apparently HR thinks that psych majors should be psychologists--period--and if you're doing anything else, it's "not a match." The funny thing is? Many of THEM majored in psych or social work too!!! It's one thing if they want to ask about it, and another to be openly hostile about it. Stupid stupid stupid. And Freedomringer (and all of you)--thanks!!
Dharmadee(06/07/2006)
Hey cynic, just wondering...I know you are 26...I bet you are pretty. Young , pretty and smart is a scary combination for a lot of insecure folks. One of these days, someone will recognize that you are a treasure, rather than a threat, and you will get the job you deserve.
C - -(06/07/2006)
I've seen new job seeker play the poor and down trodden role during the interview - and to everybody's surprise they got the job. In reality they were neither. They must have known something the rest of us didn't. Seems to work with certain female bosses and interviewers and requires information and research.
Dharmadee(06/08/2006)
I know, I have seen it too! (My current manager is a good example.) It certainly goes against the politically correct information we are given about how to conduct yourself professionally on a job search. I have a theory that this technique plays to insecure bozos who think they will have a charity case who they can mentor, and then hopefully acquire a syncophant for life. It is certainly not about hiring someone with credentials who is an asset to the company.
freedomringer(06/08/2006)
This is sooo true!! I was turned down for a job by a PI because his wife saw me and thought I would be trouble. I was 24, single and not unattractive. I wish people would judge on credentials and experience alone. I am not considered pretty by american standards, but if you have a insecure individual in the mix, in can turn against you if you possess any sort of beauty. Pretty, beautiful, ugly or downright Fugly, it should not matter what you look like; a job should be awarded to the most qualified subject. I had a boss that acted surprised by the fact that I had a boyfriend and he was attractive. She made a comment about how he could be with me because she thought I was ugly! It is funny, he thought she was beaten with an ugly stick. It just shows you that looks are in the eye of the beholder, but women can be nasty to each other(when they should be trying to help each other considering we still dont make as much as a man in the same position).
the cynic(06/08/2006)
Dee--I consider myself decently attractive, although not "corporate bimbette," which is what a lot of women are expected to be these days. I'm the "pub" (as opposed to "nightclub") type who when I go to bars, I get hit on by men, but I get strange looks from other women for some reason. And a lot of HR women seem to get into the "bimbette" image quite a bit. My interviews with men and "career" women (intellectual, professional, but not bimbette) have almost always gone fine, Sorry about all the stereotyping, just trying to put this in perspective here! Where's Tawanda (the nice HR person who posts here) when we need her? I'd like her to give me an interview! :-)
Dharmadee(06/08/2006)
Freedomringer and cynic, this is SO weird...I had the same situation as freedomringer a couple years ago, just before my current job with the Bimbo Manager. I got to the third interview, I was SURE I was going to be hired as the receptionist for this local insurance company. BUT, for some reason, the owner had to have his wife sit in for the final interview. She sat a little behind him, off to the side. He was asking me all kinds of questions, most of which are probably illegal. She just sat there, looking me up and down, with this weird look on her face. I am not unattractive either, but I am no bimbette. I am married, with a couple of kids, but I have not let myself go, either. So, anyway, every once in awhile, the wife would ask something off the wall, like, "So, does your husband mind if you work late?" Needless to say, I did not get that job. Being an attractive woman who is NOT a sl-t can be a distinct disadvantage in the job market.
the cynic(06/09/2006)
I figure if they are going to hound me with personal questions and bring superficial sh$t into the interview, then it's probably not a place i want to work. If they won't hire me because I'm faithful to my husband and won't pleasure the executive director after hours, or because I'm not ditsy enough or pretty enough or whatever, then once I am on the job, I'll be treated nastily because I'm married/not ditsy enough/etc. So all in all, it's worth not getting those kinds of jobs, but it's just too bad that there are SO many companies out there looking for sl-tty women, as you said.
 M. in Wisconsin(06/13/2006)
Frankly, I don't think HR people are too bright.
Those who can, do. Those who can't, hire.
the cynic(06/15/2006)
A bit of an update here--I had an interview with an HR person on Monday and it actually WENT WELL!!! They even told the staffing agency that they liked me, and my computer test scores were great too. Keep the fingers crossed, folks!! :-)
M. in Wisconsin(06/15/2006)
Well, there are a few decent HR people around. You may have to look hard for them.
Dharmadee(06/15/2006)
Good luck, cynic!!! Maybe you got an inerview with an HR person who actually believed that their job was about helping people, not covering up for the company! If so, I am worried about that person. The last HR person I knew who had a conscience, wound up suffering a rare brain disease at 35 and died miserably in a convalescent home a few months later. True story.
 NoMoreIT(07/07/2006)
I was once a recruiter for a private company with about 2,000 employees. I was one of seven recruiters, two of which recruited for the IT department. I was the ONLY - repeat ONLY - person with any type of IT experience at all! So, you can just about bet on the fact that if you have to go through an HR gatekeeper, you are NOT going to be reviewed on your merit, but screened on whatever key words the hiring manager is having scanned for that particular job.
Here is my advice: Keep one tome length copy of your resume electronically. Bullet point every single thing you have ever done, used, seen, touched....and every possible alternate name for what you've done. Then, tailor your resume specific to whatever position for which you are applying by paring down your resume to include your primary responsibility along with the buzz words from the job posting. TAKE THE TIME to do it. Once it's done, it's done. And you never have to worry about fogetting to include something.
My 'Master' resume is 15 pages long!! But I have no trouble paring it down to two pages plus references.
Thankfully, I have left the world of IT behind me, but I have NEVER not been called in for an initial interview when my experience fit the job description.
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