Case Study
Suresh Kumar was production manager for Singer Industries Limited; a Noida based electrical appliance company near Delhi. Suresh had to approve the hiring of new supervisors in the plant. The HR Manager performed the initial screening.
On Friday afternoon, Suresh got a call from Anil Dhavan, Singer’s HR Director. “Suresh” Anil said, “I have just talked to a young engineering graduate from a regional engineering college who may be just who you are looking for to fill that supervisor job you asked me about. He has some good work experience in a multinational firm located in Pune, but at a lower salary level. He wants to come over to Noida where his parents live”. Suresh replied, well, Anilji, “I would take care of the boy”. Anil continued, “He is here right now in my office, I am sending him to you, if you are free”. Suresh hesitated a moment before replying, “Great Sir”, “I am certainly busy today but I can’t afford to displease you either. Sir, send him immediately.”
A moment later, Ranga Rao, the new applicant arrived at Suresh’s office and introduced himself. “Come on in Mr. Rao”, said Suresh. “I’ll be right with you after I make a few urgent phone calls.” Fifteen minutes later, Suresh finished the calls and began interviewing Rao. Suresh was quite impressed. The merit certificates, the best suggestion award form previous multinational firm and Rao’s quick responses revealed the candidate’s potential. Meanwhile, Suresh’s door opened and a supervisor yelled, “We have a small problem on line number 5 and need your help.”
“Sure”, Suresh replied, “Excuse me a minute, Rao.” Fifteen minutes later, Suresh returned and the dialogue continued for another few minutes before a series of phone calls again interrupted him.
The same pattern of interruption continued for the next forty minutes. Rao looked at the watch embarrassingly and said, “I am sorry, Suresh, Sir, I have to go now. I have to catch the train to Pune at 9 P.M.”“Sure thing, Rao,” Suresh said as the phone rang again.” Call me after a week”.
Question1. What specific policies might a company follow to avoid interviews like this one?
Question2. Explain why Suresh and not Anil should make the selection decision.
Question3. Is it a good policy to pick up candidates through ‘employee referral method’? Why and why not. Explain keeping the case in the background.
From India, Noida
1Suresh Kumar was production manager for Singer Industries Limited; a Noida based electrical appliance company near Delhi. Suresh had to approve the hiring of new supervisors in the plant. The HR Manager performed the initial screening.
On Friday afternoon, Suresh got a call from Anil Dhavan, Singer’s HR Director. “Suresh” Anil said, “I have just talked to a young engineering graduate from a regional engineering college who may be just who you are looking for to fill that supervisor job you asked me about. He has some good work experience in a multinational firm located in Pune, but at a lower salary level. He wants to come over to Noida where his parents live”. Suresh replied, well, Anilji, “I would take care of the boy”. Anil continued, “He is here right now in my office, I am sending him to you, if you are free”. Suresh hesitated a moment before replying, “Great Sir”, “I am certainly busy today but I can’t afford to displease you either. Sir, send him immediately.”
A moment later, Ranga Rao, the new applicant arrived at Suresh’s office and introduced himself. “Come on in Mr. Rao”, said Suresh. “I’ll be right with you after I make a few urgent phone calls.” Fifteen minutes later, Suresh finished the calls and began interviewing Rao. Suresh was quite impressed. The merit certificates, the best suggestion award form previous multinational firm and Rao’s quick responses revealed the candidate’s potential. Meanwhile, Suresh’s door opened and a supervisor yelled, “We have a small problem on line number 5 and need your help.”
“Sure”, Suresh replied, “Excuse me a minute, Rao.” Fifteen minutes later, Suresh returned and the dialogue continued for another few minutes before a series of phone calls again interrupted him.
The same pattern of interruption continued for the next forty minutes. Rao looked at the watch embarrassingly and said, “I am sorry, Suresh, Sir, I have to go now. I have to catch the train to Pune at 9 P.M.”“Sure thing, Rao,” Suresh said as the phone rang again.” Call me after a week”.
Question1. What specific policies might a company follow to avoid interviews like this one?
Question2. Explain why Suresh and not Anil should make the selection decision.
Question3. Is it a good policy to pick up candidates through ‘employee referral method’? Why and why not. Explain keeping the case in the background.
From India, Noida
Fix up specific selection procedure and do not deviate or make exceptions.
Unplanned interviews and underprepared interviews will result in unsuitable candidates getting selected or capable ones getting rejected due to haste and unplanned activities.
Here phone calls and work related interruptions had taken place. Interviews should be done in unhurried and planned manner to understand the candidates and their potential.
Interruptions should not be there in this process.
Suresh being production in charge should have final call as he has to get the outpu8t from candidate.
Referrals have their own pros and cons.
Employees put their reputation at stake when they refer candidates.
Besides the employees while referring are aware of companies requirements.
But the flip side is referrals can cause a halo effect, especially if the referrer is high level like Director etc.
HR may find it difficult to refuse such people.
From India, Pune
Unplanned interviews and underprepared interviews will result in unsuitable candidates getting selected or capable ones getting rejected due to haste and unplanned activities.
Here phone calls and work related interruptions had taken place. Interviews should be done in unhurried and planned manner to understand the candidates and their potential.
Interruptions should not be there in this process.
Suresh being production in charge should have final call as he has to get the outpu8t from candidate.
Referrals have their own pros and cons.
Employees put their reputation at stake when they refer candidates.
Besides the employees while referring are aware of companies requirements.
But the flip side is referrals can cause a halo effect, especially if the referrer is high level like Director etc.
HR may find it difficult to refuse such people.
From India, Pune
While I agree with Mr. Nathrao, I attempt to answer specific serially.
1 - Policy - interviewer must hold the interview at the appointed time, (I have seen candidates walking out of the company premises, when they were not interviewed within reasonable time) it should be preferably held in a separate cabin, not where the interviewer usually sits and it should involve HR representative along with the user of the service. Both have an equal stake in the process. At the same time it should be fixed that interview should last not more than .... minutes (depending upon the position in question). At some levels there is a neutral observer also in the interview panel. All of them should individually evaluate and give marks.
2. - answered above.
3.- Referral method is good because it may help to build camaraderie among the group. It will also a way of telling that they are part of the organisation. Some companies offer financial incentive to those referring the candidates, when selected and remain with the company through the probation period.
A S BHAT
From India, Pune
1 - Policy - interviewer must hold the interview at the appointed time, (I have seen candidates walking out of the company premises, when they were not interviewed within reasonable time) it should be preferably held in a separate cabin, not where the interviewer usually sits and it should involve HR representative along with the user of the service. Both have an equal stake in the process. At the same time it should be fixed that interview should last not more than .... minutes (depending upon the position in question). At some levels there is a neutral observer also in the interview panel. All of them should individually evaluate and give marks.
2. - answered above.
3.- Referral method is good because it may help to build camaraderie among the group. It will also a way of telling that they are part of the organisation. Some companies offer financial incentive to those referring the candidates, when selected and remain with the company through the probation period.
A S BHAT
From India, Pune
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