Women trail behind in job interviews: BRJ

JEDDAH — The success rate of women applicants in job interviews was just 12 percent, according to a statement issued by Bab Rizq Jameel (BRJ) Women Recruitment Company. This shows most women are incapable of presenting their capabilities during interviews, the statement said. Afrah Moussa, in charge of the company in western Saudi Arabia, said: “We have conducted recently a quick interview for women job seekers with the help of three experts. But out of 150 applicants only 18 or 12 percent passed the two-minute-long interview.” She disclosed the company’s plan to train women applicants who have failed in previous interviews on how to face them successfully in future. “By conducting these quick interviews our aim is to help women overcome anxiety and fear,” Moussa told Al-Watan newspaper. “It will also enable them to learn skills to market themselves in order to get a suitable job,” she added. Moussa denied suggestions that many women failed in interviews because they were not serious. “I think the main reason is their inability to market themselves.” She said the concept of job interview has changed a lot. “Modern interviews will not take more than a few minutes unlike in the past when it lasted for an hour.” Many companies have started conducting short interviews that would enable them to find out the required skills and qualifications of job applicants. “Smart and qualified applicants will be able to shine in such interviews by answering questions quickly and properly.” Employment expert Sami Al-Dakkan said most women fail in job interviews due to a lack of proper preparation to face them, especially to answer quick questions. Bayt.com, a leading job site in the Middle East, has pointed out that non-preparation is one of the 10 major reasons for the failure of job applicants.