Recruitment Interview Questions & Answers

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.

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.

Be relaxed and friendly as they are very nice.

No assessment centre

It was really laid back and more of a chat about my expereinces rather than an interview. She informed me the second stage included a elevator pitch and competency questions, however even that would be laid back. I felt at ease with the interviewer, as if I was having a chat talking about my past roles and my study year abroad.

If you could choose any job role, which would you choose?

If your applying for a trainee office role, dont assume they will hire you and train you, they are still looking for previous experiences in individuals therefore making it more difficult to be successful if you havent got this.

There was no assessment centre in this interview.

I first met with the Talent Acquisition Manager in a 1to1. It was quite informal, she asked me a lot of questions about my background and personal interests, and we then discussed the role and my ambitions. Then, I met the Director of People and Infrastructure, and she asked more targeted questions.

"How would you sell the company to the candidates?"

Do your own researches about the company, and make sure that you know what you're talking about. Ask your own questions at the end of the interview, be confident, and show passion towards the role and the company.

I didn't have one

We had information on what the day would consist of before arriving in order to prepare which had plenty of information and was very beneficial.

Firstly, we started the day of with a short presentation on LHi and what the job entailed.
Then, we had to choose a famous person who inspires us. We we're then given the opportunity to sell our famous person to the group and discuss why we felt that if there was the chance to only save one, who it would.
The second task was interviewing another candidate in the room, asking all the relevant questions and then selling them back to the managers where managers asked questions about why we felt they would be successful in the role.

Following this section the successful candidates (which narrowed down to 5) were then interviewed individually which lasted about 30-40 minutes.

Who inspires you. While this wouldn't normally be a difficult question, but as you have already just contributed towards the famous person debate on who should survive, you don't want to use that person again however they were the one which was at the top of my mind.

Don't be afraid to get involved in the group discussions as the ones who were not successful to the second part were the ones who remained queiter.
Although I wasn't successful in the role it was definitely a worth while experience and the firm seemed to genuinely care about each candidate and really guided me through the interview process.

There was two group tasks in the interview and the group consisted of about 9 people, 7 males and 2 females. The set up what in the conference room around the desk.

I went through a phone interview, and then an assessment center.

The phone conversation was pretty casual, mostly questions about myself and why I want to do recruitment, and what the job looks like.

The assessment center was friendly, with situational tasks and a presentation about the company.

A task involving how to deal with client objections.

I was advised to engage a lot during the assessment center, ask questions, be confident and chatty, and try to be the "leader" of the group. So just try to participate in all the tasks and ask relevant questions.

A lady held a presentation to give us more info about the company, then we did three group situational tasks. We also had a FAQ session where we could ask questions related to the job and the company.

I had 2 stage interview.

The interviews felt less like an interrogation and more like a conversation about if I would be a good fit for the role both professionally and within the culture of the business.
All members of the team spoke and qualified me for the role, which reflected the team mentality.

I didn't have a traditional background for the role as I had just finished a music degree, but they recognise soft skills over experience. so the questions related to that were the most difficult to navigate.

I feel that the best advice I can give (even though its a bit cliche) is to be yourself when applying for this role. Try and relax and do your research on the company. It's also important to be honest!

Chilled out environment with coffee and biscuits.

Brilliant process, met with Adam who asked a few questions to learn a bit more about myself and experiences. Then met with a couple of the senior management team who probed further and really explained what the role would entail and helped me to understand the company and the role that I would be doing.

What is it about yourself that gets you out of bed

Prepare thoroughly, learn about what the company does before hand and have a good think about what you really want out of the job and your career. You will need to make sure you know why you want to work in a meritocracy and why you are prepared and driven enough for the role.

N/A

I had to do a telephone interview, why do you want to work in recruitment and Hays. Then Face-to-Face similar with roles plays. I also did an assessment centre we did selling role plays like sell a candidate to a client, like what is good about them, why and i had to go into detail in a mock face-to-face meeting.

Assessment centre role plays were difficult, take your time.

Really think about what is being asked. The internal recruiter gives lots of information and clues out on the way and if you are listening you should be able to provide good answers. Ask open questions to get more information out of the recruiters.

Hard but gives a good insight into recruitment

After an initial phone interview, I was invited to their offices near Monument. There were questions about my CV and what I thought I could bring to the role. I then met with other senior figures within the company who asked general questions about my work background. The whole day was really informative, I was left with no questions about the role and as someone who has had few formal interviews, it was great experience for potential future interviews.

Where do you see yourself in the next three to five years?

I would advise anyone going for this role or something similar in recruitment that the role itself is not necessarily important. Recruiters will try and offer you other positions that are available, so remain firm on the position you applied for if that is the one you really want.

No Assessment Centre

The telephone interview made me feel very welcome, the recruiter made me feel as if I was able to talk about anything with her. She gave me a breakdown of the company but asked me questions throughout and explained I just had to be myself and I had more of a chance.
The workshop assessment itself however was very hard but very educational. Put us through the right practical tests in order to teach us but also to test us and see our true personalities.

Sell someone. We had to sell another candidate who was in the assessment centre alongside us. We had 2 minutes to plan and then present, this was very difficult and involved you needing to think on your feet.

Be yourself, they love it. It’s not a place where you need to put up a front or be someone you aren’t. The more your personality shined through, the better your chances are. Make sure you’re prepared, understand why you want it, be ready to sell yourself and explain your motivations and what really makes you tick!

There was a small group so they were able to focus more on us. The staff were very friendly, staff were in and out all day and we got to meet a variety of different people. Absolutely lovely individuals working there. Our tasks were to sell our fellow candidate, sell ourselves, interview the director and then have 1-1 interviews.