Difficulty Rating

80%

Interview experience

Positive

100%

Neutral

0%

Negative

0%

  • Junior researcher

    Difficulty Rating

    80%

    Interview process

    First telephone interview with an account director. This lasted about 45 minutes and he described a lot about the company and role, the role is more like succession planning than immediate vacancy filling. We talked about my Cv and experiences which made me suitable and what I liked about the role eg. Client contact, research and long relationships rather than filling jobs day by day. I asked quite a lot of questions which I think he liked and he said he would contact me for a face to face interview

    The face to face interview was scheduled about a week later. There wasn't any predatory work and joining the original account director was the London MD and a senior researcher,one up from the position applied for. They told me more about the company's history and some of what the accounts were like. They described how it feels to work there. They were very open about the company and let me know how they get around problems, how they dress in the office, the culture, going home times, everything. It was definitely not a test type situation and felt very relaxed, especially as we held the interview in a coffee shop as their office was being done.

    The office is in an amazing location in soho, the dress is formal but they have a less formal environment. The company is quite small but I get the impression they would like to expand a little.

    They asked me things like: when have you had to do report writing in a non academic sense, when have you had to research non academically, how did you do that using a specific example, what was your dissertation topic etc. they took quite a lot of interest in finding out about my skills. No personality questions like what are your hobbies, but they did seem really keen on personality as a factor.

    Most difficult question

    Quite specific tomy degree, but they asked if I would be comfortable calling execs in China and speaking with them in Chinese about their job experience and prospects. This was only difficult as it is hrd to know exactly how easy that would be until I have had some experience.

    No other questions were too difficult, it was very relaxed. The only thing is that they are very keen to make sure that the interviewee is really eager for the job and wants to do it.

    After the second interview I realised the role wasn't right for me and I wouldn't take it if they offered, which I felt that they might. I let them know and they were fine with it, they want someone who is interested in the role.

    Interview tips

    Be relaxed and friendly as they are very nice.

    Experiences at the assessment centre

    No assessment centre

    Interview steps

    Interviews:

    • Phone
    • 1:1
    • Group / Panel
    • Senior Management
    • Video

    Tests:

    • Numerical
    • Personality
    • Verbal reasoning
    • Psychometric

    Other:

    • Assessment centre
    • Group exercise
    • Background check
    • Presentation
    • Competency based questions

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