Case analysis: Employment interview Instructions Read carefully the following hy
ID: 393165 • Letter: C
Question
Case analysis: Employment interview
Instructions
Read carefully the following hypothetical case where an employment interview is presented. Then, answer the questions and remember to base your answers with the concepts learned in the module. Write your answers in complete sentences without spelling mistakes.
Case:
As Managing Director of the Caribbean, Maria Perez has the final say in approving the hiring of any new supervisor who works for her. The human resources manager conducts the interview process of all possible supervisors and then sends the most suitable candidates to Maria to interview them.
A few days ago, Maria received a call from Margarita Acosta, the human resources manager: "Maria, I just spoke with a young man that may be just what you were looking for to fill the position of line supervisor. He has some experience and seems like a focused person. It's here right now and it's available in case you had the chance to see it. "
Maria hesitated for a moment before answering: "Well, Margarita. I'm very busy today, but I'll try to make room for it. Send it to me".
A moment later Luis Ubiñas, the applicant, arrived at Maria's office and introduced himself. "Come in, Luis," said Maria. "I'll be
with you after making some phone calls." Fifteen minutes later, Maria finished the calls and started talking to Luis. Maria was very impressed with the profile that Luis presented in the interview. After a few minutes, Maria's door opened and her supervisor yelled, "I have a little problem in the manufacturing line and we need your help." Maria got up and said: "Luis, excuse me a minute please". Ten minutes later, Maria returned and the conversation continued for ten more minutes, before a series of phone calls interrupted them.
The same pattern of interruptions continued during the next hour. Finally, Luis saw his watch and said: "I'm sorry, Mrs. Pérez, but I have to pick up my wife."
"Sure, Luis," Maria answered, while the phone rang again. "Call me later today."
Questions:
What specific policies should a company follow to avoid interviews like these? Mention them in detail.
Explain why Maria, and not Margarita, should make the decision to select the employee.
Was Luis's action correct in concluding the interview?
If you were Maria, would you make the decision to hire Luis? Why? Base your answer.
If you were the human resources manager, what would you recommend to María about this candidate after knowing what happened in the interview?
Explanation / Answer
The entire exercise suggests that the process of hiring was very casual affair in the company. It needs to schedule the interviews in such a way so as to finish off the entire process in a single length of time. For this to happen, the HR person must prepare the schedule after keeping track of schedule of Maria, knowing that she has a busy schedule. Maria should also make sure that during interview, no calls or other chores will be attended to. Not only it will create a good impression before the interviewees, but also let the manager to assess the candidates in proper and meaningful way.
Luis was right in his approach, as he was done with his spare time that he reserved for the process. The hiring manager should have been professional enough to have an uninterrupted conversation and valued his time.
Yes. If I am Maria, I would not reject him for leaving midway in a conversation that stretched for one and half hours, and continued to be interrupted every few minutes. I would hire him for his patience and his value of time provided all other factors are positive and as desired.
If I am HR manager, I would give a positive rating to the candidate, given his professionalism, his honouring of commitments in life and his act of valuing his time, besides his expertise and suitability for the role.