Why the Uselessness of Job Interviews is Utter Nonsense

 

job interviewsOn April 8th, 2017, the New York Times published an article titled, “The Utter Uselessness of Job Interviews.”

The article went on to say that data-driven interviews are more effective in determining which applicants will be successful at a company than human-led interviews.

The data is the data and the data doesn’t lie.

I had 14 people contact me and ask me what I thought about the article.

I don’t disagree with content of the article. I just think the headline is clickbait-y and untrue.

I file these types of articles with the “The Resume is Dead” posts, “Do Cover Letters Still Have a Purpose or Is It Extinct?” articles and the “Recruiters Don’t Use LinkedIn Anymore” blogs.

Why?

It’s not because the resume could never be dead – it could die someday.

It’s not because the cover letter might not have a purpose in the near future – it could become extinct.

And not because LinkedIn will never not be in demand by recruiters – recruiters might abandon LinkedIn at some point.

And the job interview may one day be rendered utterly useless – not just useless, but utterly useless.

<notice my challenge on how many negatives can I pile in there #goals>

It’s the extreme nature of the phrase “utter uselessness” in the NY Times article. The writer believes it’s more useless than just plain ol’ uselessness – the kind of sensationalism that will send many job seekers into a panic.

This is the problem I have with the article, and these types of articles, even though I agree with aspects of the article content.

<Although some would say the article title inspired me to write about the article, so the title is working.>

The first “resume is dead” article I ever read was in 1999, when Monster Board came onto the hiring scene.

The “cover letter is extinct” blogs started to surface in about 2002-2003.

And the “LinkedIn isn’t being used by recruiters anymore” posts came on the scene about 5-6 years after the company’s inception.

What’s my point?

My point is if you listened to all of these alarmist, extremist articles, you would have not had a resume since 1999 and how many jobs might you have missed out on since then?

Instead, digest the information and use it as another tactic or tool in your arsenal. Be flexible and ready to pivot.

  • Some companies will still depend on human-led interviews to get to know candidates. Make sure you are ready for this approach.
  • Other companies will sign up with the latest and greatest data-driven interview testing company. When you encounter this tactic, embrace it. Don’t dread it. Ace it, instead.
  • One company application doesn’t need a cover letter? Great! Make sure your resume conveys what you would put in your cover letter , so your resume can effectively stand alone.
  • Another company needs a cover letter? Awesome, since you are ready with the best cover letter ever.
  • One recruiter asks for a resume? Done. Another asks for your bio? Have that ready, too.

The only EXTREME position I want you to take in your job search is companies will ALWAYS be recruiting in different ways. So be ready for all of these ways – especially the ways you haven’t prepared for yet.

There is no magic elixir or secret formula or new trend to immediately drop or adopt.

The modern job search is a myriad of all of these old school and new school tactics all transpiring at the same time.

You wouldn’t build a house with just a hammer, right? You would have a tool box.

So don’t just carry a hammer—carry a tool box.

Same with your job search. Don’t just depend on one tactic.

Here is our Job Search Tool Box…

Our Get Hired Fast Package will prepare you for all your job search will throw at you so you will be ready and get hired fast:

http://www.chameleonresumes.com/get-hired-fast/

 

Be Well!

Lisa

 

Daily Career Tips

optin-newsletter

Landing your next job doesn't have to be an overwhelming, frustrating or time-sucking task. Get daily tips on how to find the position you deserve,  delivered right to your inbox:

  • The #1 addition every resume needs in 2023 and beyond.
  • How to get prepared for a job change even if you like the job you have.
  • How to handle a chaotic job market and where to focus your job-seeking efforts (hint, it’s not the job boards).
  • Where to find great jobs without submitting 500 meaningless job applications.
  • How to slice through the Applicant Tracking System B.S. and land a 6- figure role you love.
  • How to track down the “unpublished job market” and have your pick of the best jobs out there.
  • How to write a resume that will hit hiring managers right between the eyes and have them scrambling to book your interview.
  • How to get up to speed with your online branding and write a LinkedIn profile that positions you as the #1 expert in your field.
  • How to approach job seeking with the “human touch” so you can keep the bots at bay.
  • And finally, access to our 4-stage META Job Landing system we’ve used with thousands of job seekers just like you.
lisa-rangel-headshot-01

About Lisa

Lisa Rangel and The Chameleon Team are the only executive resume writing, LinkedIn profile development, and job landing consultancy who has been hired by LinkedIn and recognized by Forbes. Our 4-Stage META Job Landing System stems from decades of corporate and executive recruiting experience to position you to land your next 6 or 7-figure role faster.

logos-desktop

Looking for an article on a particular topic? Use the search below...