I love that idea for an alternative structured interview process. Instead of the half hour of small talk, that time could frame a typical task for the job. So many times, tasks are done as if an emergency deadline is at stack. This tactic measures not only the skill but the emotional impact of deadline phobia.
Indeed, a very good way to determine how suitable a person is for the job is to test them. I think that would eliminate a lot of bias in choosing people, really. Your point about the pressure of having to meet a deadline is also very interesting and I hadn't thought of it before.
Meeting deadlines and working under pressure is a big thing in the US. Corporations love to put their teams through a Bataan Death March for a new product intro. Then, when the product is live, the people who put in the work get laid off as a reward. I don't know if Europe is like that, but this is a clue as to why Americans are so crazy.
We had a friend who transferred to a French software company in Paris. He told us that Americans are favored because they work like dogs ... for about six months. Then they become just as casual as the French employees, taking two hour lunches, etc. On his commute walk to work, he passed a three-star restaurant. How can one resist?
I love that idea for an alternative structured interview process. Instead of the half hour of small talk, that time could frame a typical task for the job. So many times, tasks are done as if an emergency deadline is at stack. This tactic measures not only the skill but the emotional impact of deadline phobia.
Hi Sue! :)
Indeed, a very good way to determine how suitable a person is for the job is to test them. I think that would eliminate a lot of bias in choosing people, really. Your point about the pressure of having to meet a deadline is also very interesting and I hadn't thought of it before.
Meeting deadlines and working under pressure is a big thing in the US. Corporations love to put their teams through a Bataan Death March for a new product intro. Then, when the product is live, the people who put in the work get laid off as a reward. I don't know if Europe is like that, but this is a clue as to why Americans are so crazy.
I think here it’s more relax. At least in the places I’ve worked. We have some pressure, but are reasonable deadlines. I feel lucky about that hahaha.
We had a friend who transferred to a French software company in Paris. He told us that Americans are favored because they work like dogs ... for about six months. Then they become just as casual as the French employees, taking two hour lunches, etc. On his commute walk to work, he passed a three-star restaurant. How can one resist?