Interview Challenges

What’s the critical part of an interview when hiring?

For me, there’s a cultural challenge that rears its head.

I like the final part, after the questions are done. When I ask “what would you like to ask me?”

Some will query the #culture. Or the challenges of the role. How did this vacancy come about?

This part of the interview is fascinating. I get insights into what makes the candidate tick.

But not in the Philippines.

Here, 99% of candidates will have no questions. Or more likely “you already answered all my questions“.

I’m disappointed even after more than 10 years here.

Logically I know there are reasons for this response.

Some Filipinos don’t want to embarrass the interviewer. Asking might be seen as “you didn’t explain the job properly so now I have to ask a question”.

Or they might be worried they missed something. It would be awkward to ask “what is the culture like” if the interviewer had spent 10 minutes talking about culture. Best not to take the risk.

I warn interviewees at the start that I will encourage questions. I warn my clients that there may be none, and why.

Have you noticed cultural differences in an interview?