The Out-of-Control Interview

Question 1: How would you explain the nature of the panel interview Maria had to
endure? Specifically do you think it reflected a well thought out interviewing strategy on
the part of the firm or carelessness on the part of the firm’s management? If it was
carelessness, what would you do to improve the interview process at Apex
Environmental?

Answer: The overall expression of the interview was so stressful. This is because Maria
Fernandez was a bright popular and well informed mechanical engineer, who graduated
with an engineering degree from State University in June 2003. As she was a bright and
intelligent engineer she always expected a job which can evaluate or where she can
implement her working capability and exclusively one her technical skill expertise. So a
firm likes Apex Environmental which is a well known and structured firm where Maria
most wanted to work. This can evaluate her working ability perfectly. That was her
expectation. But the interview was a disaster for her because it was an Stress interview.
The interviewer seeks to make applicant uncomfortable with occasionally rude question.
The question ranged from unnecessarily discourteous to irrelevant and sexist such.

This it reflected a well thought out interviewing strategy on the part of the firm because it
helps to identify hypersensitive applicants and those with low high stress tolerance and
Maria was selected because of her responsible and mature behavior.
To respond the question whether it was a well thought interview or not; well it is
controversial. It can be said that it was not overall well structured but the interview was
effective. The reason was in the interview the employer asked too many irrelevant
questions like “why would you take a job on a waitress in a college if you are such an
intelligent person”? Also “Are you planning on settling down and starting a family
anytime soon?” So these sorts of questions were too irrelevant. But the motive of asking
that sort of question can be to identify or to know what would she can do if she faces any
uncertain situation, what would be her respond. Or how she responds in a situation which
is under pressure. So as she studied in a well reputed university and though she is very
brilliant and intelligent so she can cope up with any technical situation, but what would
she do in an uncertain situation? To find out that ability of her they asked unstructured
and irrelevant question.

Randomly they asked irrelevant question to Maria which were irrelevant and after the
interview she met with tow gentlemen including the president of the company. That
discussion was totally constructed and which can evaluate her ability. In essence it was
good, but only the president and the other gentlemen were able to know about her
technical ability. The other member of the panel interview group was remaining unknown
about that ability.

The stress interviews invasive and ethically questionable nature demands that the
interviewer be both skilled in its use and sure the job really calls for a thick skin and an
ability to handle stress. This is definitely not an approach for amateur interrogators or for
those without the skills to keep the interview under control. What the firm can do to
improve that situation. As the firm was applying unstructured sequential interview, they
can apply structured sequential interview. So that the candidate can face all the
interviewer sequentially. So that the firm can specifically identify the true ability of that
candidate. For an example; ask questions on intellectual factors, motivational factor,
personality factors, and knowledge and experience factors. Also firm needs to have
capable persons who have job related knowledge and can conduct an effective interview
like asking base questions, using a standardized interview form, avoid irrelevant or
potentially discriminatory questions and stereotyping minority candidates.
Question 2: Would you take the job offer if you were Maria? If you’re not sure, is there
any additional information that would help you make your decisions, and if so, what is it?

Answer: If I was Maria I would definitely take the job offer. This is because from the
very past I was willing to take a job which can evaluate my working ability also where I
can implement my working on technical ability. So if my interview was not good enough
I would definitely be disappoint. But later when by a discussion the president knows my
ability and technical skills it would help me to get the job. And after getting the job offer
I would definitely take the job.

If a scenario arises that I am not sure whether I would take the job or not, then to make
myself sure I need some more additional information. Here Maria has some information
regarding her job offer. Those were what would be doing, the industry and the firm’s
location. And in fact, the president had been quite courteous in subsequent discussions, as
had been the other members of the management teams. Besides this information if I am
not sure about taking the job then some more information can help me to take my
decision. This information can be as follows;

 Are there any securities of my employment?

 Is my job future is pessimistic?
 Is there any lack of insurance and pension benefits?
 Is there any chance to be underemployed?
 Is the working environment is suitable for the job?
 Where the firm is located and what is is supposed to be my job?
 Are the people of the firm behaving in a courteous and friendly manner?

Such additional information can help me to be sure whether I would like take the job or
not. Base on the above questions answer I can make a specific and clear decision in case
of taking the job.
Question 3: The job application engineer for which Maria was applying requires: (a)
excellent technical skills with respect to mechanical engineering; (b) a commitment to
working in the area of polluting control; (c) the ability to deal well confidently with
customers who have engineering problems; (d) a willingness to travel worldwide; and (e)
a very intelligent a well balanced personality. List 10 questions you would ask when
interviewing applicants for the job.

Answer: In case of interviewing applicants the questions that can be asked are as
follows;
1. What education or training do you have that would help you in the job for which
you have applied?
2. What experience have you had to deliver client-focused solutions in Land
Development & Engineering?
3. Tell me about a situation in the past year in which you had to deal with a very
upset customer or co-worker having Sediment and erosion problem.
4. Give an example of a time when you had to be relatively quick in coming to a
decision?
5. What factors should you in providing innovative solutions to most challenging
dredging projects?
6.