MTV's Hired shows a different side of the job hunt
For most people, the job interview is a nerve-wracking experience. You might be stumped by a question, your resume may not be in great shape, you may blurt out something really stupid — it happens to everybody. Throughout all this, you have no idea what your potential employer is thinking. Wouldn't it be nice to see what life is like on the other side of the hiring process?
MTV's show Hired gives viewers more insight into job interviews by showing before, during and after from the employers' and the seekers' perspectives.
Each episode follows the same format. First, the employer gives a brief description of the job and some of the qualities he or she is looking for in the ideal candidate. The employers always send a list of hopefuls to a recruiter, Ryan Kahn, to weed out candidates who aren't going to be a good fit.
The recruiter segment is one of the most interesting parts of the show. Kahn sits down with each job seeker, usually a recent college grad, to discuss his or her cover letter and resume, and gives some insight into what to expect during the interview process. This segment often features advice that could be useful for everybody; be confident, not cocky; dress for the job, but err on the side of conservative; ensure your resume is professional-looking, in good condition and printed on white paper; and be sure to submit your resume, not just a headshot and measurements. (Remember, this is airing on MTV — some of these people are just ridiculous.)
The next part shows the actual interview. You watch as the nervous interviewees hem and haw through each question; some shine while others make complete asses of themselves. The employers also give candid statements on their thoughts about each candidate, offering some insight into what they are looking for.
After interviewing each candidate, the next step is the callbacks. The top three candidates are called for a second interview and are often asked to perform a task or work an entire day fulfilling the duties of the job they are seeking. How well they perform during this callback often determines who will get the job.
It is pretty awkward to watch as each unsuccessful candidate is told they did not get the job, but it shows the importance of being professional and maintaining a good relationship with the person who is hiring for the company. It's even more awkward to watch some people be told they are going to be hired, as they scream and jump up and down ... while still on the phone with their brand-new boss.
One of the major strengths of the program is that it shows that the process is not easy for the employers, either. Watching them wince as they deliver the bad news to candidates who did not get the position makes them seem a little more approachable and human. Their statements about the strengths and weaknesses of the candidates show that it is usually not one factor that will make or break you, but a combination of factors that they examine to determine if you will be a good fit for the company.
While it seems unlikely that a show can make the job interview process interesting, Hired definitely does. It unflinchingly shows the cringe-inducing moments that can happen during an interview, such as the man who was unable to name any women's clothing designers during an interview for a design position at Steve Madden shoes, or the woman who completely forgot the name of a professor who could have been a valuable contact. Many of the most awkward faux pas are made by candidates who have not researched the company or position beforehand.
Hired shows that even the most qualified of candidates can mess up an interview, and that even someone with no real experience can beat out someone who's been working in the industry for years. It eases some of the anxiety of the job hunt to see others make mistakes that you may have made in the past, or to learn from mistakes you hope you never make.
This show may not be useful for everybody to watch, as it focuses on more creative jobs, such as a junior booker for a modeling agency, an account executive for a PR firm, a design assistant for a shoe company, a social media coordinator for a jewellery company and a project manager for an online company. As the show was created by MTV, all interviewees are in their 20s. Despite these factors, this show could be useful for people who are seeking general tips about how to present themselves during a job interview.
Hired is a must-watch for anyone who is seeking a job, and it is especially helpful for those looking to work in a creative industry.
To watch the show online for free, visit mtv.ca/hired. MTV's Hired offers good tips on what to do - and what not to do - during a job interview.
MTV's show Hired gives viewers more insight into job interviews by showing before, during and after from the employers' and the seekers' perspectives.
Each episode follows the same format. First, the employer gives a brief description of the job and some of the qualities he or she is looking for in the ideal candidate. The employers always send a list of hopefuls to a recruiter, Ryan Kahn, to weed out candidates who aren't going to be a good fit.
The recruiter segment is one of the most interesting parts of the show. Kahn sits down with each job seeker, usually a recent college grad, to discuss his or her cover letter and resume, and gives some insight into what to expect during the interview process. This segment often features advice that could be useful for everybody; be confident, not cocky; dress for the job, but err on the side of conservative; ensure your resume is professional-looking, in good condition and printed on white paper; and be sure to submit your resume, not just a headshot and measurements. (Remember, this is airing on MTV — some of these people are just ridiculous.)
The next part shows the actual interview. You watch as the nervous interviewees hem and haw through each question; some shine while others make complete asses of themselves. The employers also give candid statements on their thoughts about each candidate, offering some insight into what they are looking for.
After interviewing each candidate, the next step is the callbacks. The top three candidates are called for a second interview and are often asked to perform a task or work an entire day fulfilling the duties of the job they are seeking. How well they perform during this callback often determines who will get the job.
It is pretty awkward to watch as each unsuccessful candidate is told they did not get the job, but it shows the importance of being professional and maintaining a good relationship with the person who is hiring for the company. It's even more awkward to watch some people be told they are going to be hired, as they scream and jump up and down ... while still on the phone with their brand-new boss.
One of the major strengths of the program is that it shows that the process is not easy for the employers, either. Watching them wince as they deliver the bad news to candidates who did not get the position makes them seem a little more approachable and human. Their statements about the strengths and weaknesses of the candidates show that it is usually not one factor that will make or break you, but a combination of factors that they examine to determine if you will be a good fit for the company.
While it seems unlikely that a show can make the job interview process interesting, Hired definitely does. It unflinchingly shows the cringe-inducing moments that can happen during an interview, such as the man who was unable to name any women's clothing designers during an interview for a design position at Steve Madden shoes, or the woman who completely forgot the name of a professor who could have been a valuable contact. Many of the most awkward faux pas are made by candidates who have not researched the company or position beforehand.
Hired shows that even the most qualified of candidates can mess up an interview, and that even someone with no real experience can beat out someone who's been working in the industry for years. It eases some of the anxiety of the job hunt to see others make mistakes that you may have made in the past, or to learn from mistakes you hope you never make.
This show may not be useful for everybody to watch, as it focuses on more creative jobs, such as a junior booker for a modeling agency, an account executive for a PR firm, a design assistant for a shoe company, a social media coordinator for a jewellery company and a project manager for an online company. As the show was created by MTV, all interviewees are in their 20s. Despite these factors, this show could be useful for people who are seeking general tips about how to present themselves during a job interview.
Hired is a must-watch for anyone who is seeking a job, and it is especially helpful for those looking to work in a creative industry.
To watch the show online for free, visit mtv.ca/hired. MTV's Hired offers good tips on what to do - and what not to do - during a job interview.
