Judging an Employer by Their Hiring Process is a Mistake 

Image Credit, Tung Lam

“People are so quick to judge and make decisions for themselves about situations they know absolutely nothing about.” – LeAnn Rimes, American singer and songwriter.

LinkedIn would be eerily quieter—I’d estimate 30% fewer rants and significantly less nonsensical drama—if job seekers stopped perpetuating the false narrative that their experiences with a company’s Director of Talent Acquisition or Human Resources Manager reflect the company’s culture. It’s perplexing that many job seekers judge a company based on just a few interactions. This shortsightedness does not do their job search any favours.

Many job seekers like to proclaim, “A company’s hiring process is a reflection of its culture.” This is a limiting belief. Just because Mary in HR is having a bad day doesn’t mean all her colleagues are equally miserable. Terrance, your interviewer and potential boss, ghosting you after a second interview says everything about him and nothing about the company itself.

One, two, or even five employees’ behaviours—especially within a large company—don’t represent the entire company. Assuming that being ghosted—as off-putting or even hurtful as the behaviour is—is indicative of the company’s culture demonstrates a failure on the job seeker’s part to grasp the wisdom behind the adage “Never judge a book by its cover.” If I have a poor customer experience in a department store’s sporting goods section, does that mean I’ll face the same issues in their shoe or toy departments? Of course not! My negative experience with a specific employee isn’t a reflection of the entire store.

A company is essentially a group of individuals under one umbrella. Every person approaches their job differently, influenced by their own agendas and priorities. One nuance that few job seekers understand, which they should at least try to, is that an employee’s human dynamics dictate their priorities and, consequently, their behaviour. An employee aiming to become the VP of Customer Experience will engage with their role considerably differently than someone who’s coasting along, which arguably is a large percentage of employees.

It’s unrealistic to expect that every interaction within a large company—between employees and customers or within the company itself—will accurately reflect the company’s culture. Just as you wouldn’t judge a restaurant by one dish—though we all know people who do—you shouldn’t judge an employer solely based on your experience with an HR employee or the hiring manager. Instead, take a more comprehensive view of the company.

Anyone who’s spent time in the corporate world knows that every workplace has its share of “less than ideal,” bad apples, so to speak, including some in recruitment roles. A negative interaction with an HR employee at a multinational pharmaceutical company doesn’t necessarily reflect the company’s overall professionalism or work ethic.

Referring back to the adage, “Never judge a book by its cover,” when job searching means looking beyond the gatekeepers of the hiring process. Conduct in-depth research into the company’s culture and values. This could involve speaking with current and former employees, reading the company’s most recent annual report, which outlines its financial performance, operational activities, and future prospects, and even visiting the company’s premises. Learn as much as you can to gain a clear understanding of what to expect as an employee.

It’s worth noting that I’ve learned from experience that an employer can have a stellar hiring process, all nice and shiny, yet their workplace resembles a dumpster fire—again proving the wisdom behind not judging a book by its cover. Never assume!

Dismissing a potential employer based on one or two negative interactions could mean missing out on a position that may lead to significant career growth and satisfaction. The key to a rewarding career is to maintain an open mind and assess opportunities from a broad perspective.

Some of the best companies to work for have frustrating hiring processes. Throughout my career, I’ve landed several jobs I’ve enjoyed, even though I faced an aggravating hiring experience with the HR manager, who seemed determined to “test” my patience and tolerance level.

Career-minded individuals take the time to understand the companies to which they are applying. They don’t allow one negative interaction to shape their entire perception of a company. Being easily influenced is lazy. Those serious about their career know that human resources personnel are known for frequently moving around, making it myopic to judge a company solely based on its hiring or interviewing practices or a person’s attitude.

You don’t need me to tell you that job opportunities are scarce, particularly desirable ones. As artificial intelligence and automation continue to infiltrate workplaces, providing employers with increased efficiencies and significant payroll savings, well-paying white-collar jobs are becoming scarcer. 

Judging an entire company based on the behaviour of a few employees or a department is shortsighted. Don’t let a single bad experience close the door on your future. Always keep in mind that recruiters and HR personnel are merely the front of the company—of course, this isn’t the case when you’re being interviewed by the person you’d be reporting to—hence the truism in the second century AD, the Roman author Juvenal words, “Fronti nulla fides” which translates to: “Never have faith in the front.”

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Nick Kossovan, a well-seasoned corporate veteran, offers “unsweetened” job search advice. Send Nick your job search questions to artoffindingwork@gmail.com.