Last Friday, December 20th, students from the Rome Business School participated in an exclusive workshop led by Alessandro Marangi, Global Senior Recruiter at Microsoft, on a highly relevant topic: “Different Types of Interviews & Cultural Approaches to Candidate Experience Worldwide 2024.”
Students explored the recruitment process in multinational companies, focusing on evaluation methods, interview types, and cultural factors that impact the global candidate experience.
Alessandro shared strategies for acing interviews, presenting yourself well, and effectively negotiating job offers. It was a unique opportunity to acquire concrete skills and useful tools for successfully navigating the global job market.
During the workshop, Alessandro emphasized that a successful recruitment process relies on principles ensuring fairness, objectivity, and a positive candidate experience. Standardization is the starting point: all candidates for the same role undergo identical evaluations, with uniform criteria and methods. This approach guarantees fairness, reduces biases, and enhances the company’s reputation as a fair and transparent employer.
Evaluations based on objective criteria and relevant competencies improve hiring decisions and reduce legal risks. Combating unconscious biases through standardized materials and proper training fosters diversity, innovation, and inclusion throughout the recruitment process.
A realistic job preview, timely communication, and respectful feedback help candidates make informed decisions, enhancing the company’s image.
Finally, involving qualified and diverse evaluators ensures more accurate assessments, better hires, and a positive perception of the entire process.
Focusing on behavioral compatibility improves satisfaction and performance, creating a foundation for long-term organizational success.
Preparing for an interview goes beyond reviewing your resume. Alessandro Marangi shared some key strategies to arrive at the interview ready and confident.
Growing within a company means the opportunity to develop professionally, take on greater responsibilities, and acquire new skills.
During the interview, it’s essential to ask about development programs, career opportunities, and experiences of other employees to assess the company.
Additionally, when interacting with the recruiter or hiring manager during the selection process, it’s crucial to be proactive by responding promptly and asking relevant questions to show your interest.
Regarding interviewers’ cultural biases, be prepared with concrete examples of your skills and foster open communication. As Alessandro Marangi pointed out:
Interviewers are looking for someone they can build a good relationship with, someone they can share work time and space with, have lunch with, and discuss anything.
Showing respect and impartiality at every stage of the interview not only helps reduce biases but also establishes a trust-based relationship with the interviewer.
Another crucial point discussed by Marangi during the workshop was the art of negotiating a job offer.
He stressed that effective negotiation begins with preparation, including market research and assessing your skills to justify the requested salary.
Marangi emphasized evaluating an offer holistically, considering base salary, benefits, bonuses, stock options, and work-life balance before deciding.
He highlighted that, if you decide to make a counteroffer, it should be realistic, supported by concrete data, and presented professionally.
Another key aspect is clearly communicating your needs, prioritizing elements like salary, remote work opportunities, or company benefits.
In conclusion, RBS students learned how to manage the selection process consciously, overcome cultural differences, and build valuable professional relationships. The workshop equipped students with tools for career growth, inspiring them to invest in themselves and create a successful international future.
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