What recruiters notice, why good candidates get overlooked, and where human judgement still matters.
If you’ve ever wondered what really goes through a recruiter’s mind when they assess your CV or interview you, this conversation may surprise you.
In Episode 7 of The Interview Room, I speak with Veena Dsilva, Senior Vice President & Global Head – Talent Acquisition at QualityKiosk Technologies Pvt. Ltd, who brings 27 years of experience in HR leadership and talent acquisition.
We discuss some uncomfortable but important questions that every experienced professional should understand.
1. Should you hide the fact that you’ve been laid off?
When I asked Veena whether candidates should conceal a layoff, her response was immediate:
“Why hide? Rather tell your story.”
She explains why a layoff should not automatically change an interviewer’s perception of a candidate, and why authenticity and sensitivity matter on both sides of the table.
2. What happens when AI screens your CV?
Veena made a particularly striking observation about today’s recruitment process: candidates are using AI to tailor their CVs, while employers are using AI to screen them.
As she put it during our conversation, “AI is filtering AI CV.”
But there’s a bigger concern. She shares a real example of a candidate who was rejected by an AI assessment, yet was subsequently interviewed and selected after a recruiter intervened.
Could potentially good candidates be getting filtered out before a human ever meets them?
3. Is attitude more important than skill?
Veena shares why she believes recruiters should look beyond technical competence and assess a candidate’s willingness to learn, attitude and authenticity.
She also recounts the story of a candidate who narrowly missed selection but was given another chance because of the impression she had made. That decision ultimately led to a successful hire.
4. What does an experienced interviewer really look for?
We discuss the role of gut feel, how experienced recruiters recognise when someone is speaking from genuine experience, and why probing questions can reveal far more than a polished answer.
These are not just theoretical observations. They come from years of evaluating candidates, making hiring decisions and learning from experience.
To watch Episode 7 of The Interview Room here:
Podcast Episode 7 – Why the Right Answers Don’t Always Get You Hired
If you’re an experienced professional preparing for your next career move, I hope this conversation helps you see interviews from the other side of the table.
And if you’re preparing for an important interview and would value personalised guidance, you’re welcome to reach out to me to explore my interview coaching.
I’d love to know: What’s one thing you wish interviewers understood better about candidates?
Sarabjeet Sachar
Founder, The Interview Room