When a job applicant is too honest....
By chiyochan
@chiyosan (30186)
Philippines
February 6, 2013 4:30am CST
So our team has an opening for business analyst. (Our taks includes testing system, providing business reviews, attending meetings and providing business recommendations.) So i was given a couple of resumes by our HR Department, so i have contacted these applicants and managed to schedule two interrviews Next week. Now there was this applicant that i spoke with as well so i explained to her what our job description is and what we do and what she might be doing when she is hired. I told her she would start at the beginner level and that later on we can expose her to the more business analyst task when she is ready.
To my surprised, she told me that she only wanted the beginner's job and she only wants to be a tester adn is not much interested in the other requirements of the job opening. okay... i was lost for words for a moment and then told her i would get back to her if we do have an opening with only such a task. My thoughts right now includes... why would someone not really want to be taught in the job... she hasn't started yet and she is already limiting herself to a beginner's task and that is the easiet to do! She is letting go of an opportunity by being to honest, that she admitted she is not interested to do anything else and only wants to test systems. oooohhh
Anyway, my boss followed me up on the list of the interviewees and so i told her i would not ask for this lady to come anymore. I won't be willing to be mentoring someone who's blunt from the beginning she is not interested to learn!
4 responses
@jenny1015 (13359)
• Philippines
7 Feb 13
Obviously, the applicant you have spoken to is new to this world. She might not have been given some guidelines on what to tell and not to tell during an interview. Anyway, her honesty is her downfall. And I think that in order to get a job from any company, one should be always willing to learn new things and be enthusiastic about it. This girl is not the kind of employee that any company would hire. She might as well just end up being a sales lady where here tasks are very limited.
@chiyosan (30186)
• Philippines
7 Feb 13
It was with her honesty and preference that has lead her to not being shortlisted, because she has limited herself and has stated that she is not interested to learn. I guess this is why many are not being invited for an interview personally, what we say over the inital contact does matter.
I think that is true, when you limit your self, then what do you plan to be, what do you plan to do? I always believe that somehow the more work, responsibility you have the more opportunities are presented to you because you are able to deliver more skills.
@chiyosan (30186)
• Philippines
8 Feb 13
that's true, if she is not confident enough that she matches the qualification she can indeed be honest and tell me that she only is trained in so and so but would like to see and try if she passes our qualification, right? At least we can see that she is indeed worth our time inviting over for an interview and exam. =( Too bad. i would probably be jumping at this kind of oppotunity when i was her age. :D I even told her what company we are and she was like uhmm speechless and just wasn't interested.
@jenny1015 (13359)
• Philippines
7 Feb 13
That is true. And showing such character means either very low self-esteem or just do not have a set goal of becoming big in the future.
I mean, if a person is in need of a job, why not aspire in doing more so that there would be more opportunities to become successful one day.
Too bad, she just missed her chance. She could be honest in saying that she only knows so much, but she shouldn't have told you that she would just rather stick to the beginner's skills job.
@JohnRok1 (2051)
•
7 Feb 13
What kind of background does she come from? This attitude may come from her background and after a short time in the job she might realise yes she is interested in knowing more. But with other candidates there, I don't suppose you can afford to take the risk that you might not be a successful pygmalion.
@chiyosan (30186)
• Philippines
8 Feb 13
Hi there Jon, thank you so much for your response to the discussion. I do not have an idea as to the background precisely but she is a graduate of a business course, works for the same kind of job that i am offering her, and well that is basically what is said in her resume. I do think though she is probably just not interested in attending the interview, but like you said we are not going to risk it and waste time on her if she only wants to be this early on.
@viju0410 (2286)
• India
6 Feb 13
Hi,
I think the lady was scared on hearing all the job descriptions and she just wanted to stay out and be light (less responsible).
I would never have missed such an opportunity and infact i look forward to learn more and ofcourse 'earn' more as well.
Her limitations has shown that she could be a lazy person as well...
I would never have missed such an opportunity and infact i look forward to learn more and ofcourse 'earn' more as well.
Her limitations has shown that she could be a lazy person as well...@chiyosan (30186)
• Philippines
6 Feb 13
he he i only said that she would be trained for the position and well there were three main functions but she was interested in the first level of the job. =) too bad she is really going to miss out on such an opportunity. our company has trained a lot of people in the field and majority of them who left our company was only for the bigger salary they offer, also most of those who left has been asking if they can return. but of course their salary asking has doubled. probably why my boss does not accept them again. =D
@teotimoponcerosacena (1550)
• Philippines
6 Feb 13
Right she is a liabilities from the beginning why bother. You must priorities those with goals in life and is a prospective asset to the company from the beginning.
@chiyosan (30186)
• Philippines
6 Feb 13
Correct!! I was astonished by what this applicant wants, i almost asked her if she would probably just want not to work anymore, with her attitude and approach with me, i could tell she is lazy, and yes as you have said, can be a liability if time goes on that she is with us.
