HumperdinkTesticule

I mean I get it, but on the other hand it really is funny how the whole selection process is often a real crap shoot, and people are often selected on the basis of unrelated skills.

I knew a guy who was a butcher and was having trouble getting invited to interviews. CV was bland, and he'd made a spelling mistake, but the guy had 10 years of experience and it was perfectly legible. Basically, recruiters didn't know fuck all about being a butcher, so were judging his application on his ability to write a cv. I fixed it and made it pretty, and he found a job. Which is really dumb if you think about it. Who cares if a butcher isn't great at formatting a cv or doesn't have an online media presence?

Luckily some companies actually involve the colleagues you'll be working with and people who actually know what the job entails, in the process.

It is quite embarassing turning up to an interview, and realising the recruiter doesn't know your skills aren't what's required for a particular job. Bit like ads which ask for 10 years experience in a software language that's only been around for 2 years.

I hate that.

If you're being hired by the parent company, you're never sure if you're a good match with the people who will be your colleagues and direct supervisors.

I've had jobs, where I never even met my direct superior till my first day. At that point, you're flipping a coin on if you'll do well in the function. Quite likely your direct superior and colleagues wanted someone with an entirely different skill set, but are forced to settle for you. Not a great first impression.

We all tend towards anthropocentrism and exceptionalism, and rationalise our own behaviour. In your experience, is human behaviour more complex or less complex than we often imagine? Is free will often an illusion and are we more predictable than we imagine?

I remember watching a tongue-in-cheek BBC documentary from back in the day, where people suffering relationship difficulties were offered advice from a relationship therapist, who was actually a dog trainer. It was quite interesting how much a few biscuits and cups of tea seemingly improved troubled relationships, as they taught partners to use what amounted to classical conditioning instead of berating each other.

Good answer. Thanks for taking time to discuss your research.