In this episode of HR Peep Show, hosts AnnE Diemer, Claire Baker, and Krista Lane pull back the “HR curtain” on why job interviews often go badly and what makes them effective. They share horror stories of disorganized, disrespectful processes, highlighting how poor interview experiences can misrepresent the job. The conversation contrasts hazing-style brainteasers with intentional, role-relevant ways to see how candidates think, emphasizing structured interviews, clear rubrics, and preparation to reduce redundancy and mitigate bias (including the “violin behind the curtain” example). They also stress candidate experience details (scheduling, breaks, snacks, respect), recommend fewer questions in 30 minute interviews, regular breaks, and carefully scoped work samples that don’t exploit free labor, reinforcing that candidates are interviewing companies too. Tune in for practical advice and hot takes to help build sustainable, people-driven companies.

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In this episode of HR Peep Show, host AnnE Diemer continues the “HR is everywhere” series by interviewing HR leader David Gaspin about his path from a musical theater degree and years of auditioning in New York to building a long HR career. He explains what was unique about doing HR in early-2000s media, where relationship-based influence mattered more than policy enforcement, and shares what it was like leading HR for Playboy’s New York magazine office, including the workplace “social contract” around content and a sexual harassment case that crossed the line by personalizing comments. HR is everywhere, and trust me, we're gonna find it in some weird places. Subscribe to see where we go next.

Thanks for listening!

To find episode transcripts, participate in future episodes or learn more about us and how we help companies do better, visit hrpeepshow.com. You can also follow the show on Instagram.

If you liked this episode, please be an amplifier and help us reach your colleagues or friends (or enemies, if they need to hear what we have to say!).

If you really liked this episode, you can buy us a coffee.

In this episode of HR Peep Show, hosts Claire Baker, AnnE Diemer, and Krista Lane debate whether HR certifications are a worthwhile investment and what they actually measure. They argue the exam largely rewards memorization of laws and “right answers,” much of which is easily searchable and may quickly become outdated, and that certifications can reinforce low legal standards rather than teach how to build better workplaces. The hosts emphasize that strong HR judgment comes from experience, curiosity, research skills, values-based decision-making, and comfort with ambiguity, and that certifications are at best a baseline signal—not a reliable indicator of competence.

Thanks for listening!

To find episode transcripts, participate in future episodes or learn more about us and how we help companies do better, visit hrpeepshow.com. You can also follow the show on Instagram.

If you liked this episode, please be an amplifier and help us reach your colleagues or friends (or enemies, if they need to hear what we have to say!).

If you really liked this episode, you can buy us a coffee.