Many potential job seekers and candidates want their interviews to be as quick and hustle free as possible. They want to get through the interview process as fast as possible with minimum hurdles.
We always think why most interviews have obstacles such as a written test, group discussions, one on one interviews and an intensive background check. Is there any need to make interviews so hard and rigorous? All these processes and regulations persuade us to wonder whether they are necessary or is it just a mere formality.
On the contrary, it’s a known fact that an easy interview process may not be beneficial for the best candidates. A recent economic survey shows that talented candidates benefit from tough interviews when compared to easy interviews.
Though all these hurdles may seem tough, in the long run, these tasks can produce satisfactory results for the candidates. These are the following methods that may seem hard for candidates, but in reality, it benefits them:
Answering Tough Interview Questions:
1. Demanding interviews:
- One might wonder, how the difficulty of an interview leads to an increase in candidate satisfaction. In reality, overcoming a hard interview can lead to an increase in employee satisfaction. The survey shows that by increasing the difficulty level of an interview by 10% there was an automatic increase in the individual candidate satisfaction by nearly 3%. Candidate satisfaction was not solely based on the fact that they survived the hard interview process.
- Being asked conceptual and difficult questions allowed the candidates to think outside the box and answer questions based on their opinions. This will help the employer as an aid to get to know more about the behavior of the candidate and also it helps the recruiter to decide whether the candidate is suitable to involve in the work and job culture of the company.
- When companies hire individuals that are not keen and diligent in their work, it will not only hurt the production and output of the company, but the employee himself feels less enthusiastic about working in the company. On the opposite side, if the employee recruits a suitable and fit person for the job, then he/she can enjoy the job more and would eventually result in a satisfying performance. This is the main reason why many companies include tough interview questions, to measure whether the candidate is a suitable match for the job applied and whether or not he can be successful in the field.
- Also, most companies tend to have an optimal level of difficulty. Interviews that rate as very tough or very difficult, resulting in a significant loss in candidate satisfaction. Many companies tend to provide a good balance in difficulty while preparing for interview questions.
2. Lengthy interview procedures:
A recent survey report has shown that the average interview process is usually 23 days, the number of days has increased over the years. One question arises, why are the companies taking such a long time in interviewing candidates? One of the main reasons is that compared to the previous years, many companies are making their candidates go through a large number of interview screening and tests. The number of filtering processes has also increased by time.
- Over the years, the number of candidates passing through various background checks has increased by more than double. Skill tests are also becoming common in most job interviews. The number of people subjected to go through various skill tests has increased from nearly 20% to nearly 30% during the previous years.
- A point to be noticed is that the interview processes for various levels of jobs are different. For example, the interview processes for a higher level position candidate take much longer than a simple entry-level position candidate. The main reason being that higher position candidates are the main individuals that decide the pace of development of the company. Moreover higher level employees hold the more valuable positions of the company and also they have the authority and right over others. Keeping all these factors in mind, many companies do not refrain from spending more resources on selecting such authoritative individuals, when compared to lower skilled employees. Companies try to ensure that they have selected the right and suitable fit for the job.
- For candidates who have experienced a large number of tedious interviews, they have a higher rate of value than compared to first time interviewees. Experienced job seekers treat on par with the employees of the company. They are widely recruited and are paid accordingly depending on their skill and talent level. They have a higher rate of importance than the rest of the generic employees, irrespective of the level of the job.
- Also, keep in mind that as companies increase the difficulty level of a job position through their interview process, notice that the position might be valuable to the company. So the best method is to face all the obstacles head on and try to get as close to the job opportunity as possible. No company wants an incompetent and incapable employee to be the holder of a valuable position in the company. This might lead to future regrets and also evident losses for the company. Try to show the company that you can be an asset to them.
3. Acquiring an employee citation:
- Having a strong connection is always beneficial for any potential and talented job seeker. You always have to meet with people and try to maintain a consistent connection with them all the time. In the time of needs, these connections will come as a blessing in disguise and sometimes might help the job seekers in bagging their dream job. Having a strong connection always leads you to have people who help you in times of need.
- A recent survey showed that a potential job seeker has a higher chance of getting a job if he/she recommended by a current employer working in the company. The rate of getting the job increases from 3% to 8%. This might not seem much, but when you are up against thousands to get the job, getting recommended by an employee of the company is an added advantage to your resume and your portfolio. Also, do not try to apply through the most common methods of applying, especially through an online application. Online applications are rarely seen by the recruiters unless there are special recommendations by someone inside the company. Try not to waste opportunities that might result in you in a valuable network.
- Recommendation from an employee works positively for both the employer and the candidate. Since there is a link to the referrer that connects both of them, there is a sense of trust while hiring the expected candidate. Employers can depend on their present workers to help the newly recruited candidates and show them the ropes of the office jobs and various other works of the company. Also, for candidates who have connections inside the company, they are the most reliable methods of knowing what it is like to work in the company and the added advantages and disadvantages of working there. The friend who is recommending has the best interests of both the parties in mind.
- Getting to know an insider’s opinion about the company, makes to help you decide, whether the job is suitable for your own and if it is worth taking a chance. Being recommended also makes the whole interview process a bit easier for you.
4. The rigorous interview helps you to prepare better:
- A comparatively tough interview helps you to get more prepared for the various hardships that arise during job searching. The more experienced you’re in facing tough interviews, the high the chances of getting a valued position within a company. Interviewers present comparatively tougher questions to the candidates to measure them on various criteria. Some focussed on measuring their emotional quotient, while some more focused on the thinking capability of the candidate.
- If the job seeker is more experienced while facing such interviews, then the candidate knows what kind of answers the interviewer expects from them. They can mold the answers according to it and can be able to produce satisfactory results. Also, keep in mind that whenever a company asks you tough and challenging questions, then try to understand that position is a highly valued and sought after position and also, they are willing to spend their resources on you. So do not try to disappoint them and answer whatever you can with utmost honesty and diligence. Prove to them that you’re a good investment for the company and can help the company to achieve new heights.
5. More accurate details about the job:
As the interview becomes tougher and tougher, the candidate will be more and more knowledgeable about the job. As the interviewees get more and more information about the candidate, in the same manner, the job seekers get to know more about the various aspects of the job.
Instead of being tense and stress on how to pass the interview, try to focus more on the applied position, and learn what you suppose to do at the job. Try to collect the pros and cons of the job.
Collecting all these factors will help you decide, whether the job you are applying for or yearning for is a suitable job for you. It will help you determine, whether the company is the right place for you. Try to get a better picture of why the interview process is tough and try to know the value of the job you have applied to.
6. To find the right one:
- Many employers use tough interview protocols as a method to appoint the correct match for the job position. They try to evaluate the candidate through various tasks in all aspects varying from skills, personality, and experience. In many such interviews, employers and interviewers are not just interested in the performance of the candidate or their credentials, but they are more interested to know whether or not they are fit for the job. They try to find that one candidate, who fits their idea of an ideal employee and checks all the columns for being successful. They want an aspiring candidate, who can easily merge with the team and produce amazing results. So as the interview becomes harder, the employers also become pickier in selecting the right candidate.
7. Tough times are not everlasting:
- If the interview process becomes more difficult, keep in mind that the grass is always greener on the other side. There is always a bright side to every challenge that you face during a tough interview. Take it as a chance for positive construction. Also, if you get to know that the job requires a large number of hardships and challenges, keep in mind that the resulting job is also very challenging and rewarding.
- Another fact to note is that facing tough interviews is not always a bad thing. Do not take such interviews as a sign of failure and destruction. It is just a harsh reminder that you are not up to the standards of the job and that there are a large number of candidates who more experience and skill than you. Take this as a sign of positive criticism and try to strive to get better results.
- Always consider that there is room for improvement and that you should face such interviews with utmost ease and confidence. Even if the job interviews are more tough and demanding, do not be scared and stressed while facing them. Try to challenge the obstacles to face to face and make sure that you fully prepared for the interview so that you could take the win.
Hiring managers aim for the betterment of the company, and they want the best of the best to work in the company, so such interviews are a great way to filter out and select the most deserving and worthy candidate for the job.
