The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR), recently held the third Human Resources Club virtual session 2021, titled "The Future of Job Interviews under Artificial Intelligence Techniques", using live broadcasting technique, with nearly 10,000 members and interested people from inside and outside the country following it.
The session was hosted by Mr. David John Edward, Head of Talent Solutions at SHL International Middle East, and moderated by Ms. Diala Jarrar, Business Development Manager at SHL International Middle East.
Shedding light on the session, Salwa Abdullah, Director of Projects and Programs at the Authority, explained that the topic of the session was chosen to highlight the most important changes taking place presently in the techniques of employment in institutions, due to coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. She noted that more than 9 thousand people watched the virtual session.
“This session and all other sessions of the Human Resources Club are documented and can be accessed through the visual library, on the Authority's website (www.fahr.gov.ae), the Club's page,” she said.
She indicated that the Human Resources Club, which was launched by the authority in 2010, constitutes an important intellectual and knowledge communication platform that brings under its umbrella thousands of HR specialists and those interested in the field, to discuss topics on human resources issues, support services or general and emerging developments.
Mr. David John Edward, describe job interviews as one of the best and, at the same time, the most difficult recruitment methods pursued by companies.
He said: “Only 8% of interviews conducted by companies worldwide are based on international standards and principles, while 92% of interviews lack the required professionalism and objectivity.
He noted that the first impression of the employer about the candidate during the job interview, has a great impact on the course of the interview process until the end. A global study, revealed that 59% of the participants agreed with the statement: “Most companies tend to be impartial during job interviews”, while 27% of the them strongly agreed.
74% of job skills changed during 2013-2018
According to Mr. Edward, the skills required for tody’s job market had changed by 74% between 2013 and 2018, while the past decade has witnessed a dramatic change in the time it takes to recruit new candidates by 84% as this process now takes nearly 33 days.
He reviewed the results of a global study on recruitment process, which show that 54% of companies realize the importance of cooperation between a company’s managers and talent acquisition specialists in the success of the recruitment process, by talent attraction. The results also reveal that 58% of job applicants believe that positive experience during the hiring process is so important for them to decide accepting the job.
Mr. Edward said: “It is evident that video interviews may put psychological pressure on job applicants, causing more stress, which could negatively affect their performance during the interview. Candidates are currently looking for jobs and roles that allow them to work remotely.”
He referred to the historical development of job interviews during the past decades. They were limited to the usual face-to-face interviews, until the recorded video interviews were adopted, in which the candidates talk about their experiences, qualifications and the most important milestones in their career. However, in recent years reliance on video interviews done via live broadcast technology has greatly increased.
Mr. Edward stressed the importance of the recruitment team focusing on leaving a positive impression on the candidate about the organization and its work team during the job interview. This can be achieved in his opinion, by welcoming the interviewee warmly at the beginning of the interview, asking him interactive questions, rather than closed questions whose answer is mostly one word, and bidding him farewell politely and nicely at the end of the interview even if he is not the right person for the vacancy.
The Human Resource Club
The Human Resources Club launched in 2010 is one of the most important strategic initiatives of the Authority. It is an interactive platform and an intellectual and knowledge communication channel that brings together interested people, to discuss human resource issues and support service.
HR Club’s membership is open free of charge for those interested in human resources, public administration institutional support and other relevant fields. The Club is keen to communicate with its affiliates through website, e-mail, and various social networking channels. Those interested can apply for membership through: the Authority website: www.fahr.gov.ae, or the Club e-mail: HRClub@fahr.gov.ae