Recruitment is a competitive market. To find and manage employees HR Departments, i.e., the Human Resource departments of any organization follow certain recruiting secrets and strategies to manage the employee interests, their productivity, any malfunctioning in the regular company system, etc.
HR departments are responsible for the hiring and firing of the employees. Managers or the employers may put out a list of rules or set guidelines that help the HR officer to decide the criterion of the potential employee.
Human resource officers rarely have direct contact with the employee if the workplace system is running smoothly. However, they have a constant eye on each employee to make sure that they are doing their work well.
Let us talk about some dirty little recruiting secrets, apart from the HR department’s duties. Do you know that the HR department hides a lot many secrets that they never let you know?
Dirty Little Recruiting Secrets from the HR Department:
These are the things an HR officer will never let you know. However, now that the secret is out making use of it and prepare for a good career ride (guide).
1. 90-day hire rule is another new addition:
To be honest, most of the people heard it for the first time. The 90-Day Rule is a new hire rule in addition to the few existing rules. Often companies suffer great losses in the name of a bad hire. One bad hire can cost a lot in disguise as companies do pay a lot for the hiring process.
However, even while firing an employee there are certain guidelines that an employer needs to follow. Thus, the 90-days rule is a savior in disguise for the companies to save the capital from the risk of a bad hire.
A new employee or a potential candidate always appears to be on good behavior. However, it is often noticed that fakers lose their charm once they settle in the company. Gradually the effect on the workload and productivity is visible in such a case. Therefore, the 90-days clause allows the HR department to fire an employee during the initial 90 days.
2. Search for possible employment opportunities as soon as possible (before leaving the previous job) as:
This thing can affect a potential candidate’s impression. Well, let me tell you the simple logic behind this certain statement. When you were young, did you like Monday? The honest reason would be that it is a back-to-school day and it makes you feel lazier after your Saturday-Sunday mini vacation.
The HR officer thinks in the same line. They feel that if you are not working for a certain period then you will feel out-of-work or not in working condition. Thus, make sure to find a job sooner or at least start with a part time work to support yourself and keep yourself from becoming lazy. That will help your resume to stay on the table instead of being tossed in the bin.
3. Always try to be on time; neither early nor late:
Now you must have heard that early bird catches the worm. Well, that did not mean that you should reach at 5 am for a 10 am an interview. Coming late for an interview may entirely be against your employment; however, coming early would not do you any good. Do you know why? This is because, when you come early shows that you have no concern for your employer’s or the hiring officer’s time.
Moreover, it will make you conscious and nervous. Instead, you should appear a couple of minutes early i.e. five or ten minutes and engage in listening to calming music or some other activity to keep you relaxed for the interview. The last thing that HR likes are someone so nervous that he or she is unable to answer a question asking a full name.
4. There are no anti-phishing rules for the HR department:
This may be one of the most heart-breaking things for an employee who is looking out for a job. Perhaps they never come to know if that is the case; however, it is ethically wrong at one point.
When you have been through too many interviews, you would realize that even after going through a smooth interview process the recruiter did not even call you back. Also, they might have noted down things about you during the interview.
They even asked about people you worked at any previous employment place. That did make you feel like they might be asking for background checks. Well, sadly it is not how it seems. Recruiters have no anti-phishing policies.
Although it is ethically wrong, the recruiter uses this way to get to know about other workers who are working well in developing companies. They contact people who are already working well to help them grow well. Thus, you are sadly an unlucky victim.
5. Referencing with available names is not something of their preference:
When you submit any of your resumes, you always make sure to give the reference of a person who would come up with loads of good points. However, it is not how that seems. They do not prefer the references that you provide.
They have a couple of other ways to get a backdoor check on you and your previous performance. Sometimes recruiters might not be phishing but looking out for people who might provide unbiased information about you.
For example, you might give the reference of the supervisor who was your good friend in the last company; however, the recruiters or the HR will lookout for people who would give an unbiased view of your work performance, etc.
6. Social media; your best friend or enemy:
HR does not limit their investigation at the referencing. Other elements also speak a lot about you without your consciousness. Today’s generation is active on the internet on various social media.
Social media is perhaps counted as a friend through whom one expresses the emotions, feelings, etc. However, this social media also helps your recruiter. They investigate you beyond your notice by tracking your social media posts and comments.
If you are at all, involved in any post that marks you as a sexist, racist or a person with controversial nuisance then you can say good-bye to your job. HR prefers people with zero nuisances in the past. So take down anything that proves to be a threat in your way especially on LinkedIn.
7. 90 seconds are enough *disposes of the 90-day rule*:
Yes, this does happen. They do not legally eliminate the 90-days rule; however, they do evaluate you before beginning the actual interview. Initial 90 seconds will decide whether you stay or pass.
Well, let us just say that your physical appearance and your hygiene will decide your future. Even if your girlfriend loves your messy hair, they would not go well in the professional setting.
You need well-grooming tips if you prefer messy hair for an interview. Messy hair shows your laidback behavior and immediately you are fired in their mind. Similarly, a tank top with worn off jeans will not work.
Moreover, personal hygiene stands next in line. If you smell like a dead cat or even worse, then do not dare appear. Personal hygiene and appearance matter in a company that deals with clients daily.
8. Are you obese or very thin?
Well, if you are then I am very sorry. Even though the rules in the employee protection act prevent any kind of dismissal based on race, religion, caste, creed, color, etc. it is observed that HR does not prefer obese or thin people.
The average look is essential for them. They have a reason; call it a logic, behind this preference. Obese or thin people seemingly give a lazy vibe. Moreover, both the condition brings along several health issues along with them.
As a result, it will affect the work productivity of the corporate sector. Hence hiring a perfect fit for the company i.e. average weighing person, is on the preference list.
9. Age and its effect:
Employers are the people who always aim to progress in their business. They are in love with the profit and growth of the company. With changing times, the people in their 50s are finding it difficult to deal with changing technology.
As a result, they are generally laid off. Of course, the use of technology can be learned over time. Thus, HR officers prefer younger people that can save them the training money.
Tip: If you are over 50 then avoid mentioning the years of your college years. Stick with the experience and qualifications.
10. Do not try to be ‘Yourself’ during an interview:
Undoubtedly, you must be a smart or quirky person. As a result, people ask you to be yourself during the interviews. Do not take their advice seriously. That is the core reason why some smart individual loses their opportunity.
HR looks out for people with amazing skills, experience, and work performance. They do not want you to show off your high school achievements if they have nothing to do with the skills you require here. That might get on their nerve and you might lose the position altogether.
11. You are being discriminated for…
Now, you have no idea how clever the HR people are as they smoothly work their way into getting sensitive information out of you without your notice. They are not only smooth in their work but tactful too. And they might cleverly ask you questions that have no relevance to your job description.
They might ask you about what you look forward to after office hours or what your weekend plans are. Well, if your answers indicate that you have children or you are married then they consider it an obstacle in the process.
The concept of having kids or a family is having a distraction and a few valid reasons to ask for leaves. (Always remember that this is illegal and as a result, you can avoid these questions or play smart)
12. Handshakes tell a lot about your personality:
How many of you shake a hand with your interviewer before or after the interview? Most of you must have done it. Do you know your handshake can give a precise idea about your personality to your recruiter? If you have a weak handshake then you are the least confident one.
Icy cold aka the ‘nervous hands’ are equally as bad for a handshake. On the other hand, having a Bruce Lee grip is also not advisable, as it shows your dominance. That will make the interviewer feel dominated and believe me they do not like it.
13. Romance in the air:
It is an exceptional blessing to have your beloved in the workplace. It increases the moral support and so on. However, HR does not appreciate it. Having a workplace romance can have disruptive consequences. Therefore, many rules and policies have been formed regarding this issue. If you let your HR know about this brewing romance then you might be rejected right away. At least wait until you have the job in your hand.
14. Lawsuit history is dangerous:
This thing can trouble you a lot in the future. People who are caught up in any legal struggle or any lawsuit suffer even after having the clean chit from the court. Well, HR hates the lawsuit history altogether.
People with lawsuit history are the ones that might stand up at any moment against the company when they are facing trouble. HR prefers not having such people regardless of the judgment of the previous case.
15. It is all about your connection and their preference:
This one ultimately tells you why you are being rejected after being exceptionally good at what you do. The HR department has a set of preferences or personal prejudice about anyone. Unfortunately, it is a human attribute to have one.
HR always bends on the side of the person of their choice regardless of the performance. At times they even try to fix the scores so that they could give the job to the one with connection (and perhaps more beneficial to them).
Also, yes, sadly, corruption is at the core of the system.
Of course, the HR department may differ from company to company. Moreover, you cannot generalize the secrets with all the HR officers around the globe. Some people are good and some may be corrupt or not so good. Anyways, all the best for a better career job seekers.
