Reed Exhibitions

Application

I applied online. The process took 7 weeks. I interviewed at Reed Exhibitions (Richmond, London, England) in March 2018.

Interview

Started off great with a phone call. But it really seemed like a different person face to face.

I was given some homework, to develop a presentation based on a case study that seemed distorted and made no sense. It was basically requiring me to set the strategy for the company.

Then came the face to face. Nice offices in Richmond. That was it really.

Not offered a drink, but that's just picking.

The meeting lasted just over an hour and half. Presented the strategy, wasn't fluid, not that I minded, but questions and comments were provided at every point which were followed by "yes, that is actually slide...."

The worst part of the experience was the questioning, this may sound odd, but the questioning wasn't relevant to the role or to the experience. i.e. you may get some people who are difficult to deal with, but don't worry I wouldn't give you those employees. You ask a question then answer it yourself??

This didn't stop, this has to be the first interview in my life where the interviewee felt like the one applying for the role. His level of arrogance was on par with Trump. Loved the sound of his voice and constantly spoke about his achievements "There was part of the Reed Top Tier Sales and I was there, I was one of them". In total 90% of the time, he talked, then the other 10% when I talked, he talked over me.

Then a question that really puzzled me "You seem like a well grounded, calm person who has life well planned and organised, are you like this all the time. What i'm trying to understand is, do you get excited and have the energy to really rally people"? For the first time I was lost for words. In what world is those attributes a bad thing. I simply replied "I don't need to prounce like a monkey to rally people".

Then I was told the pay for this role. After all that and a presentation that took about 4 hrs of prep. Turned out to be an insult. Against my better judgement, I broke my rule of never going to a meeting without knowing the pay. But I assumed for a global Trainer, they would pay market rate.....nope!

Good thing was I didn't travel very far and Richmond is a nice place, although I couldn't wait to get back home, after such a traumatic experience!!

First thing I did was to withdraw my application. Couldn't fathom working with someone like that

Interview Questions