Page Personnel Interview Questions & Answers

I was contacted two days before the interview by email to let me know that I would be required to complete and telephone interview to assess my personality and skills.
The interviewer said I could have some preparation material which I found very useful.
It didn't feel like an interview it was quite informal and I felt nervous at first but I was soon at ease and thought my personality came across well.

To describe myself in three words. It is hard to choose three words on the spot which encompass my personality

If there is an opportunity to receive pre interview preparation material take it and prepare as much as you can. It makes the interview less nerve wracking. It allows clear focused answers as I tend to babble when nervous.

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Broken down, the interview was made up of three parts; firstly an informal chat with one of the team members, followed by a second interview with the regional directors and finally an online questionnaire.

The first meeting was to establish what I was looking for in a role and what Michael Page were looking for in a candidate. The second meeting was more difficult and involved two role play activities based upon everyday scenarios. Finally came the online questionnaire, comprised of both personal and probing questions and some problem-solving tasks, which I found to be the most challenging part of the interview process.

A section of the interview consisted of trying to sell myself as a candidate in the third person. I found this particularly difficult as it is something I felt a little awkward doing.

Do your research of the company but more importantly research thoroughly the specific role you are going for and really be prepared to talk yourself up in front of strangers, something which can at first seem rather daunting.

I undertook two role playing activities in which I was given possible hiccups to deal with. For example, you have put somebody into a job role set to start next Monday. The candidate calls you the Friday before and explains they have accepted another role with anther company. My task was then to call the prospective employer, explain the situation and suggest possible solutions.

I did a telephone interview consisting of competency based questions and a role play. I was then invited to an assessment centre which was very difficult! 3 group exercises and a written exercise in a high pressure environment but got to see the office and meet some of the team.
Then I was invited to a one to one interview with the regional manager which was more competency based questions and a role play, this was fairly relaxed. Then I had to complete an online SQL test to see how I would be able to sell.
Finally, I did a one to one interview with the managing director which was the hardest interview I've ever done. She asked very intrusive personal questions and questioned everything I've done ever! Very stressful.

What is the most selfish thing you've ever done? I had to think of this on the spot and as a not very selfish person I really struggled..

Really make sure you want to go into a hard sales environment with long hours, but are rewarded massively with money and holidays. Be confident, you have to sell yourself so much and don't take a back seat - show you want it.

Group activities including a role play, interviewing each other and prioritising tasks