Five questions for Exceed HRC MD, Carline Wium

Carline Wium

Carline started Exceed HRC together with her father, Exceed Group founder Tenk Loubser, in 2000. This has allowed her to live out her passion for helping people nurture their potential and make life-altering career choices. Over the years, she’s met thousands of business owners and managers, as well as hopeful candidates. She shares some of her insights with us:

  1. When did you discover your passion for working with people?

My very first job entailed assisting the Group’s HR director with recruiting article clerks. I realised how much it intrigued me to hear people’s life stories in order to help them build a career around their hopes and aspirations. In 2000 I had the chance to make my own dreams a reality when I was given the opportunity to establish Exceed Human Resource Consultants.

  1. What’s the best part of your job?

Meeting interesting candidates and clients who are passionate about their companies and their careers. There’s also no better feeling than helping someone who’s looking for a career opportunity to land their big break and ultimately changing their life.

  1. What’s the most challenging aspect of being an HR consultant?

While the human factor is the part that I love most about what I do, it’s also the most challenging aspect. It’s not always easy to “read” people. Are they telling the truth? Do they mean what they say? They might be saying all the right things, but you have to also study their body language and read between the lines of their answers to determine whether they’re being honest and will truly be the right fit for the client.

  1. What’s the biggest mistake candidates make during an interview?

In my opinion, one of the biggest missteps a candidate can make is talking about the remuneration package too soon in the interview. It creates the impression that the candidate only cares about compensation. Rather show the prospective employer that you’re ambitious, driven and the right person for the job – then you’ve “earned” your right to talk about what you’re worth in monetary terms. Another common interview mistake is badmouthing previous employers.

  1. What’s the most important characteristic or general skill an employer should look for in a potential candidate?

Integrity, which for me means: “What you see is what you get”. I think it’s important to look for someone who’s honest and upfront, who sticks to their word and that you know will have your back when push comes to shove. No matter what the industry or job description, it’s also important that a candidate is able to conduct him or herself well both in- and outside the office. Remember, your employees are walking, talking billboards for your company.

 

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