Reaching out to HR Professionals
Group Members: Hafiz Muhammad Ahmad, Bilal Javed, Mubasal, Sadia Razzaq, Tuba Sahar, Faryal, Abdul Dayyan
HR Recruiters: Dr. Masooma Naseer (Assistant Professor of Biotechnology at UAF, Ph.D from Harvard University, US), Dr. Syed Aftab Wajid (Associate Professor at UAF, Post-doc from University of California), Dr. Ghulam Mustafa (Assistant Professor at UAF, Ph.D from NIBGI)
Our experience of reaching out to HR professionals was very interesting and we learned a lot from this experience. After reaching HR professionals from different sectors, i.e., public and private, we came to know that the interview conducted in both sectors are quite opposite to each other. The requirements, dress code and policies of both sectors are really different.
Interview with Dr. Masooma Naseer (Private Sector): 1. What qualities are you looking to for a successful candidate? She replied a very good answer, clearing out our ambiguities. She said that as a member of interview panel, I always prefer passionate students. She told a story that once in an interview, she had preferred a very passionate student of her for a job who researched a lot before appearing for the interview over the other candidate whose academic status was good but she lacked passion. 2. If a person doesn’t have considerable experience, but really passionate to work with, so would you prefer that person? The answer was that if a person is really that much passionate, loyal to his/her job, she would definitely hire and prefer such a person. 3. Explain how to be fully equipped for an interview? She said that proper research through internet, blogs and networking, good resume and cover letter, professional dressing and positive attitude towards the interview are necessary to be fully equipped for an interview.
Interview with Dr. Ghulam Mustafa (Public Sector): 1. What qualities are you looking to for a successful candidate? He replied that in public sector, there is a little concept of passion. What I really look for in a candidate is his academic status and experience. 2. If a person doesn’t have considerable experience, but really passionate to work with, so would you prefer that person? He replied that the policies for the public differ from private sector. Again passion is not given that much importance. The candidates with experience and good grades are preferred. Explain how to be fully equipped for an interview? The answer to this question was no exception. It was similar to other two. He told that if you have full command on your field, it is enough for interview. He didn’t mention any soft skills and passion for job.
Interview with Dr. Syed Aftab Wajid: Sir Aftab gave general overview for interview process. His advices were really important for all of us. He gave some tips to be successful not just for interview and professional life but for whole life. He advised to read newspaper daily, make habit of reading books and start learning by yourself related to your field. It will take us 20 years minimum to have grip on our field and even only if we start from today.
So we learned a lot from this experience. The main takeaways from this activity were to start learning from today and struggle, difference b/w interview in public and private sector, how to behave there and how to prepare for both of them & in addition to passion, you should have command on your field, although your passion matters a lot but the importance of experience and knowledge can never be neglected.