Interview HR needs training
I recently retired on 1 August after 23 years in the U.S. Air Force. My career background involved Supply Chain Management and Logistics/Strategic Planning. After all these years of serving my country I decided that I would reintroduce myself to the civilian market in a part time position until I find something that suits my taste. To make a long story short, a part time FedEx courier position became open here in SC and I was one of four fortunate (out of 30) applicants that was called back for an interview on 12 July. The HR female conducting the interview was a former courier herself and was placed in the HR position due the prior HR person taking another position as I was informed. The interview process consisted of ten questions that basically wanted to see how one would handle certain work situations and of course customer service. Due to my background none of these questions presented a problem. The HR rep stated that all the information would go to her boss and in two weeks if selected for employment I would receive a call and if not I would receive a letter in the mail stating that I wasn't chosen. After the interview I asked for an opportunity to ask questions to that I felt were important and of course what I had learned from my Air Force Transition Program and on Monster. The HR rep seemed quite surprised and yet pleased that I took the time to do this, or so it seemed.
Here is the kicker. On 16 July due to not having an email address to send a thank you note/letter for the interview opportunity, I called her on the number she provided. After letting her know who I was and thanking her she responded by saying “yea, right, ok, umm, yea, have a nice day". My reaction after hanging up was, WOW!! Was I talking to the HR rep or a regular employee? I was expecting some type of dialogue. Not saying that I had the job but more along the line of thanking me for attending the interview process, etc. Basically something more than "have a nice day". Oh, I called today as a second follow-up and guess what? You guessed it. The same nonchalant attitude.
Maybe it is as most people view the military. We are too rigid and too respectful and expect professionalism at all times. Do I have to lower my expectations when it comes to dealing with individuals in the civilian market or was this just a singular incident of someone in a position who really doesn't understand how to portray a REAL HR Manager?
Oh, BTW, it’s been over two weeks and still no call or letter.
Sorry this happened to you but I dont think that being in the military necessarily affords you as being more professional in any way shape or form. In my 25 years I dont consider that I have ever "lowered" myself or my expectations no matter who I was dealing with. Sorry but that statement just kind of makes you a little too rigid and too presumptious that civilians are "less than" - maybe I am reading that wrong but thats what it says to me. Thats your opinion and you are entitled to it fully but .... I do think it was just the HR person.
You say you dont have any email address - do you have a computer or access to one ? Just curious why you couldnt quickly get a free hotmail or yahoo account ?
uwishtoo
Back when we were kids there was a commercial that came on that stated "Reading is Fundamental".
Thanks for the response . I'm attempting to see your point but I feel you may have read my post totally wrong. And you are correct , I am entitled to my opinion. THE MILITARY DOES BUILD PROFESSIONALS. I never stated that I or anyone in the military was better or more professional than anyone else. I was stating my experience with someone who I felt didn't portray themselves as a PROFESSIONAL. You mention 25 years but can you clarify? Are you active duty, a vet, or just attempting to put down military members by your sarcasm?
Let me clarify:
1. I never mentioned anything about lowering myself. I was attempting to point out that the military makes one very responsive to the needs of a customer both external and internal. And in meeting those needs one learns how to react/respond accordingly. There are plenty folks in the civilian market who portray true professionalism. I know because I have dealt with them not only while in the military but when I worked in the civilian job market also. This particular HR didn't portray any.
2. I have several email accounts. If you read my post you will see that I stated that I wanted to email a thank you letter for the interview opportunity but the HR didn't have an email address to send one so that is why I called instead.
FIN!!
Unfortunately, a lot of human resource individuals are like this. They just don't have the necessary people skills or communication abilities to properly perform their duties. And, they, further unfortunate but mostly true, don't receive the proper training. They are just plunked into the position out of neccesity.
A good portion of these people are working in placement and temporary agencies.
As far as not hearing back and it has been two weeks....this happens with almost all of the interviews you will read about on Monster forums and hear from people if you go to job fairs and strike up any conversatoin with the person standing in line behind you. The majority of the stories go like this: they went to the interview, they met these wonderful people, they wrote or called to follow up, they never received an answer to the follow up, they never received any further contact from the company.
I remember what it was like and how I felt when this was happening to me in my job search. At this point, I was hired at a wonderful firm and a portion of my job duties are human resource related. I NEVER had any experience with this except for the terrible way I perceived the interviewers and hiring managers attitudes to be and so I work hard on not alllowing those who are interested in working for me to be treated that way.
Many companies place an emphasis on customer service BUT Human Resources is exempt from providing professional service. It's true!
I was brought up in a very military atmosphere. It was ingrained that we were to call adults Mr., Mrs.., Dr., Ma'am, Sir or by military rank. We were also disciplined military style (loss of liberty) and scrubbing the floors by hand and cleaning the bathrooms #### and shine! Also, you had to honor your word and follow up on EVERYTHING you did.
Sadly, that is not the case with Corporate America.