JumpyRaccoon

Breaking into Hindi/local languages during interviews

I've given interviews and have interviewed a lot of candidates over the past few years and never really came across this scenario when neither did I not the candidates break into having a conversation in the local language during a formal interview process.

Came across one such candidate this week who was constantly breaking into Hindi within minutes after the self introduction and it got me really annoying after a point when they went full on Hindi. It was an hour long interview and TBH I couldn't sit through (lol!). I have a few questions to the community.

Is this really common? (location: Bangalore) How is it in the North?
Would you encourage someone to speak in a local language during the interview provided they have the right talent? (My requirement was for a business role and requires effective English communication. I would expect the candidate to have this basic understanding. Can't really mention good English communication required on the JD!)
Would you consider this either candidate's lethargy or were they trying to be friendly/strike a chord by leveraging Hindi?

Some perspectives would help.

11mo ago

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PrancingCoconut

Accenture11mo

Let them know if you and everyone else present do not understand the language. If they continue then that's just disrespectful and a red flag

JumpyRaccoon

Bollywood11mo

I did not want to get into a language related debate there, that's why. I maintained in English throughout and the candidate was just not getting that hint!

The person has been giving interviews for a while it seems. And, I'm surprised nobody else pointed it out in other companies as well, assuming this is how they had given interviews all along. This was new to me as well.

ZestyTaco

Swiggy11mo

It’s like you want a promotion and hinting your manager by doing more work. JUST LET THEM KNOW and you didn’t have to post on anonymous platform this question.
Now if you reject on this basis - then candidate can say you never mentioned and he/she is correct ! Have you considered that with candidate’s habit of speaking hindi after a while, you may also have gap in your communication?

Also you can put “Good English” in JD who said you can’t !?

PeppyMarshmallow

Stealth11mo

This is ok if everyone in the interview panel and team speaks and understands Hindi. Else, it is disrespectful. Put yourself in a situation where team members suddenly break into a language you don’t understand 🤷🏽‍♂️

JumpyRaccoon

Bollywood11mo

I'm fine if they do so after joining the team, because they at least know by then who speaks what language and can talk accordingly.

But during a formal interview process, when you know nothing about the interviewer and it is your first and probably the only shot to impress someone with your communication, you use a/your local language - it quite didn't make sense to me.

SillyHamster

Stealth11mo

Arrogance. If OP was consistently speaking in English and the candidate was stuck in Hindi, it just screams a lack of professionalism and it’s problematic everywhere. Just speak English at a neutral workplace you dork. I’ve had it with Hindi becoming the default everywhere

DizzyLlama

Octro11mo

More details are required. did the candidate slip into local languge as they were struggling in English? or was it that they were just in flow?

you mentioned "formal" quite a few times. For more senior candidates, interviews are not just a one sided affair and they are basically havin a conversation simliar to how they would when the join a company. if the content was great and people do change to local language in the company, go ahead hire the candidate!

JumpyRaccoon

Bollywood11mo

The candidate was just in flow. Starts off in English and comfortably switches to Hindi and stays there forever. Claimed they are effective in communication in their resume, LinkedIn, and also mentioned it couple of times during the interview. But nowhere did I get that feeling during the conversation. Junior role about 3 YOE. Skillset was very mid.

JazzyWalrus

CelebalTech11mo

Ultimately depends on the organisation's culture. If your employees/clients don't speak hindi then it does not make sense to hire him (unless it is a junior level role)

JumpyRaccoon

Bollywood11mo

The role involves speaking to both internal and external stakeholders (in English). Internal can still be managed in Hindi which is quite fine. My surprise was why would a candidate use Hindi predominantly during a make or break situation.

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