The great depression of 2011 suggests that manufacturing based industries capable of survival are the premium choice for employment. Companies must look forward to survive.
"Why do you think you will be working for us in 10 years?" The question helps expose behavioral issues of aversion, but it also seems unfair. The question is unfair because companies make mistakes, they expand to fast, and they take financial risks that jeopardize jobs. At the same time, companies don't focus on their strengths and often diversify during prosperous periods only to be forced to liquidate during depressed periods, like the one we are in. Should employees understand how the company makes money? Absolutely. I think a better question would be, "How will you help the company provide value added service or products?" "Would you be willing to sacrifice person wealth to help the company achieve its goals and why?" Sacrifice and devotion to an ideal are rare commodities. I understand the tactic to discover aversion behavior and I agree the hire process should be methodical. What good is Human Resources in the hire process for accessing character, honest, and work ethic? Do most employees love their company and job?
"If you were given $1 million to complete a company project, what would it be?" This is the type of question that can make a company rich. Innovation, quality, work, and talent all combine to answer this question. It is all about the process. Build the right process and you will make all the right decisions. What should you build? What the company will pay for. Money rules the business world. Where do you start with this question? I think you start with What will be of greatest value? What revelation about company operations, strengths, and values are known? How could an innovation be applied that would expand the operation capability? Perhaps the answer is software technology or perhaps it is robotic implementation or perhaps it is mobile computing. The answer is probably a small innovation for $1 million. A list of constraints is needed. How many full time employees will be required to staff the project? What government regulation will be imposed? What are the long term costs for maintaining the project? At $1 million the project will need to be staff by an existing employee, the acquistions will need to be priced, and the implementation will need senior management support. The question was very clever because it was more about problem solve and what not to do.
The next question I really liked was, "How did you help a department become self governed?" Work the system. The system needs to become self govern to avoid micro management and stiffling bureacracy, "Dances with Elphants", that kills productivity. When a system is working, no one is fight because either "everything is at risk" or "the process works". A senior manager that works the system will find experts close to the action with project management decision making capability able to make the system work.
How do you avert a disaster in hiring the wrong employee? You make the interview a process. You hire experienced work. A job is exponential more difficult than college. You don't hire people that are financially distressed. People are tempted to steal when they have financial problems. Ask if you can verify information they provide you. Ask them if they have side businesses. Don't hire when a side business can cause a distraction from work. Hire people who are committed to work at least 10 years and remain loyal to the company. Hire people who make sacrifices for the community and are service oriented people with helpful personalities.
Why should you practice your presentation? All sales presentations should be written an rehearsed. Practice what you should say, be direct, and stay focused. You may want to write an essay, "why I want to work for your company". The essay needs to demonstrate understanding of the companies mission, culture, values, and vision. The employer needs to feel comfortable with you as a team member
A person feels threatened when a hiring recruiter asks them if they own a credit card. The hiring manager is trying to determine if the individual is financially reckless and a risk to the company
Are job applicants becoming the enemy to business owners? Why interview a person that could bring suit later? Potential Employers must be very careful to avoid law suit due to hiring question violations therefore should they should have questions approved by legal before asking them. The job market has changed. This is one reason companies recruit employees with jobs, it is safe
Multiple interviews of empathy and agrgression help you find the individual with the right skills and potential leadership that will help you organization. Multiple interviews allow you to distribute your question and reduce the pressure to get all interview question asked in one session.
A well designed job referral system can be a source of good talent. The system must be evaluated periodically to prevent stagnation and non merit baed hiring. Companies need talent and eliminate waste. If the employee can not contribute than they should not be on payroll.
Be on time. Future employers want employees ready for work at their scheduled time. Being on time to an interview reflects that you share the same values for on time work. Late to work is not tolerated by most employers