HR is looking for "the person" what does that mean?

[lrn2fly]

After just recently going through the interview process I found myself struggling as to what HR is looking for in a balance between questions/answers and the personality of a person. I understand that they are looking for a person that they can work with for several days on a trip and someone with a reasonable personality but exactly how does one convey that. For example, I tried to answer there HR questions professionally but wanted to demonstrate a certain likeability and not come off as boring or uninteresting. How does one safely do this though? I tried to make some light hearted comments but afterwards wondered if I would have been better not to do so. I can understand how joking a little may appear to some you are arrogant or don't take things seriously. So what is it they are looking for in the person? Is it just giving the right answer and then shut up? Should one avoid showing personality or any light heatedness and simply maintain a serious demeanor with the addition of a smile. I think most people would say that they would prefer to fly 3-4 day trips with someone who isnt overly serious and had a sence of humor, providing they are equally skilled.

It’s been many years since interviewing and was just wondering if someone had any insights or some guidelines in terms of the proper display of your personality vs. hard fast no no's on an interview.

 

[Thedude]

Looking for the person typically means that they already have the person that want to hire but still have to interview to fullful EEOC requirements.

If I was on an interview board I would do everything I could to get HR REMOVED from the process.

Why are people from HR always so wierd.??!!

 

[Resume Writer]

First, you have to mirror yourself with the company culture AND to the people interviewing you. Not everyone likes someone who tells jokes or is trying to be light about things. However, if you are going to an interview at Southwest, that is a different story.

I do tell my clients to answer the questions and then "shut up." I say that with emphasis to them, but of course in a respectful way, so they understand that I am serious. Most people get into trouble in an interview when they keep on talking long after they should have stopped.

I conduct a whole seminar at the Career Expos I speak at on aligning yourself with the interviewer(s). You can tell a great deal about people by the way they dress and how they wear their hair. You need to get as good as "making a judgment" as the interviewers are. Remember that when you are looking at them, they are looking at you!

Look around their office and see if you can find something, like a picture of a dog, a bowling trophy, something that you can ask about. People hire people they like and that have the same interests. You have to be careful about getting "too folksy" with people, though. However, if you can establish a common bond, then it will work in your favor.

If you really want to learn to read people, go to the local shopping mall and watch people. It is amazing how much you will pick up about behavior in that setting. Body language is something that all people going through the interview process should learn how to read.

Kathy

 

[Resume Writer]

Why are people from HR always so wierd.??!!

Not all people from HR are weird!

I will say though that they have their own personality set. I was not your typical HR person. I have many friends that are HR Managers; some of them are really fun and others are not. Kind of like that in any profession.

Kathy

 

[jetalc]

lrn2fly,

Kathy is absolutely right - you need to read the interviewers first before interjecting humor or trying to "lighten the mood". Some interviewers do not view humor as belonging in an interview. Trying to lighten the mood or lift the tone usually doesn’t come across in the manner that you are trying to achieve. It is best to just be as natural as possible, but without trying to be funny.

I have interviewed hundreds of pilots and the one thing that I always would reiterate to those who were not successful is to reflect on the interview - HONESTLY. What questions and/or answers were you not comfortable with? That is most likely where you stumbled. It could have been a question on an approach, or a systems question that they didn’t like the answer…

So, my question to you is: What makes you believe that the HR person did not view you favorably?

Your question is “Hr is looking for “the person” what does that mean?” Well, quite simply, the interview team is looking for a well-rounded person. That means they are looking for someone who can toe the line, is trainable and will fit with the culture of the airline and, more importantly, fit in with the pilot group. They want to know that they can fly with you, in close proximity, all day for an entire trip.

I don’t agree that HR doesn’t play a role in pilot interviews. But HR is just one piece of the pie. HR plays a very prominent role in interviewer development and usually they have a better grasp on how to read non-technical answers. I also don't agree with the EEOC statement by thedude. While airlines are required to report their hiring statistics there are no more quotas. If they didn't want to hire you they wouldn't have wasted their own time by inviting you to interview.

Hard and fast dos and don’ts… follow the interviewers lead – they will set the tone for the interview. Don’t joke around too much, if at all. You said yourself – they may interpret that as being arrogant or not taking the interview seriously. Do be honest, sincere and most of all humble.

Hope that sheds a little insight. Hang in there....


Lori Clark

www.flytheline.com