My application was submitted by a recruiting agency on a Tuesday, and I was asked about my availability the following Tuesday. Being away for my 1st wedding anniversary that Friday to the following saturday, I was offered the following monday. I requested more time, but was refused. I accepted, and received confirmation of the interview while I was away.
I performed research prior to my break, and continued even while I was away, including an 80 question quiz which Personal Group asked me to complete, and using my phone to research the company and products while I should have been celebrating my anniversary.
On arrival, I was asked to complete a small form, asking my notice period, annual leave dates, eligibility to work in the UK, etc. I was then taken to a meeting room, offered a drink, and presented a quiz containing 50 questions with 12 minutes to complete (I think this was an IQ test, although I'm not entirely sure).
I was rejoined by two interviewers, and the face-to-face component began. I'll credit that the interview didn't feel too formal. I initially felt at ease, given ample opportunity to discuss my CV.
A dialog was initially maintained with a two way flow, though I felt uncomfortable when the interviewers started talking to each other about one of their ex-employees - a conversation I felt locked out of, with no idea or context to add to this conversation. Perhaps it was some interview technique? In any case, it was uncomfortable.
As the interview went on, the demeanour of one of the interviewers became increasingly less patient like they had somewhere they would rather be. As the saying goes, the shutters had come down.
Towards the end, I was asked if I had any questions. I had some wrote down, but dismissed those that had been answered already, leaving about 8 questions. I got through a few over about 5-10 minutes (the overall interview was 1.5 hours), but the interviewer that seemed frustrated brought the interview to a close, advising I'll hear from them by the end of the week.
I was shown out of the meeting room, and given directions out (down the fall, down the stairs, through the reception, you'll find the door out) rather than the courtesy of being shown out.
The following day, I got a call from the recruitment agency with some positive feedback regarding my energy, interview technique and that I would be a good fit for the team. I was then advised that I hadn't been successful on the grounds of not being prepared. I had already concluded from the way the interview went that I probably didn't get the job, however I was dissapointed on the grounds for why, given that I was given very little time to prepare outside of my holiday, and compensated for this by preparing during my first wedding anniversary. Of course I was unprepared, I wont argue that, but given the circumstances, I think I did the best anyone could ask.
