Late Coming in Interview Did not Cause Rejection: A Case of FM Radio Company

Dr Rahuul Singh, PhD, TISS, Mumbai

PJ Media was expanding and had plan to start its operations from two new locations in Maharashtra
one at Pune and other at Nagpur.HR department was engrossed in recruiting Project staff and for
that sourcing was done through placing advertisement in Times of India Ascent and also internal
data was accessed. There were several positions for two project locations. Project Head was one
position at each location. Profiles once received were properly shortlisted and candidates were
intimated regarding interview schedule.HR team followed up properly with candidates and they
also followed up one-day prior to interview for ensuring the footfalls.

For Project Head, Pune location, five profiles were shortlisted and they were called for interview.
One candidate name Mr. Praveen K, was working at a construction site at Nashik. He was not
present on time on the day of interview. He had confirmed his presence on time while HR team
followed up with him one-day prior. The travel duration from Nashik to Pune was approx. 4 hrs.
His interview was scheduled in the evening hours at 8 pm for his convenience. However, he
reported to the reception of Corporate Office (that was venue of Interview) one hour late.HR team
intimated HR Head that Mr. Praveen K has just reached and he is requesting for allowing him to
appear in interview.HR Head was very particular about timings. Initially he was reluctant to allow
the candidate for interview but on request from his subordinate he gave his consent.

The Interview committee called Mr. Praveen K for interview, people were not happy with him so
they all were critical of him for being one hour late as this shows that he has no value for time and
he seems very casual human being. This was reflecting by him being late and even not intimating
the HR team that he might be late.

In front of Interview Committee, Despite being late, in interview he presented a fact that his
company had fire at site yesterday night and he has not even slept for the whole night, he was
involved in to making things sorted out. He said because I am their employee it’s my duty to think
of them first. Interview member asked second question that even you did not show a courtesy to
intimate that you could be late because of that incident, Mr Praveen K replied to this as even he
was not sure when he would be able to be free, so he did not know that whether he would be able
to reach interview venue or not. But he had a desire to attend the interview and therefore he started
by bike only directly from Nashik to Pune interview venue just after he resolved the crisis at his
site. His answer was totally satisfying. After his answers committee did not ask any related
question rather few job skills related questions were asked and he was able to reply as an average.
They had decided to select him after getting answers. His dutifulness and willingness towards
career advancement changed entire ambience of the room and he was through.

The suitability of the candidate is dependent on his attitude, values and other things. of course, He
was meeting the basic requirement therefore he was shortlisted and invited for interview. The
rationale for selecting Mr. Praveen K was his commitment towards his current employer. He
afforded to be late in interview because his contributions were required in an emergency situation
at his present work place. This shows that he values his duty and present employer. This inference
made an opinion in favor of Mr. Praveen K and he was selected finally for the position of Project
Head Pune Location.

PJ media valued loyalty, commitment and ownership more than being late. Mr Praveen K joined
the company and he is working for last 5 years. PJ media has launched the new project with his
contributions at project level and his present role is also valued.

For any organization, values are more important. Culture evolves with adopting certain values.
People also add to the values of organization Employees do affiliate and align to those values.
Since every culture is distinct hence their values may also differ.

Note: The case has been written by using participant observation, author has been an employee
of the organization and he has participated in activities related to HR in the company. Name and
locations have been changed because of ethical considerations.