3rd interview
Got a call Thursday after 6 for an interview on Friday. It was a 4.5 hour drive to the location but I got there in plenty of time.
I thought I would write about it because it was in a format I have never seen before. I arrived 45 min early since they had specifically said that they wanted an application filled out so I got to see the train-wreck as it happened. 30 minutes later the second person for a 2:45 appointment arrived. They also wanted the administrative assistant position. Okay, more than one person interviewing? I think.
Then the wave crashed, by 2:50 the waiting room was filled.
They did a group interview with the 17 of us (started 15 minutes late). Those of us whom had responded to "professional appearance" - ie, the three in suits - were NOT happy with the classroom lecture style. Of course I was one of two people with questions (another suited older woman also had some). I actually re-read the announcement before going and it showed.
Seems that this is a new format for strong customer service jobs like airline steward, to see who has a personality that shines out in a crowd.
I did get a call-back for the second of three interviews they were going to do, but between the hours (4 full days and then two 1/2 days in the middle of the afternoon with Sunday being the only day actually off so you can't get anything done with your life) and the pay that is a "no". I had the highest degree, with everyone else that had a Bachelor's just graduated. So either experience or education, and not both.
Really, I shouldn't have applied in the first place but so few jobs actually describe what they want and this one sounded promising but turned out to be the average skill level. Those that post pay for the title "administrative assistant", I have seen vary from $7 to $22 per hour with the majority either at $10 to $12 OR $15 per hour. It would be really helpful if they give you a better idea of the range they are looking at.
Still the group interview showed how other people dress for interviews (white shirts about to pop, jeans, etc), what they carried their interview products in (bright purses, black folders, etc), how they prepared (or not) for the interview, and how they present themselves for answering questions. I hope this is a fad that doesn't spread because it was disheartening to a lot of the youngsters and to those that had been out of a job a while.
I do see why it is useful for high-pressure customer service jobs, like a front desk admission position. I expect that this type of interview will catch on in the efficient world and people need to be aware that they might find this "cage-match" format.
I thought I would write about it because it was in a format I have never seen before. I arrived 45 min early since they had specifically said that they wanted an application filled out so I got to see the train-wreck as it happened. 30 minutes later the second person for a 2:45 appointment arrived. They also wanted the administrative assistant position. Okay, more than one person interviewing? I think.
Then the wave crashed, by 2:50 the waiting room was filled.
They did a group interview with the 17 of us (started 15 minutes late). Those of us whom had responded to "professional appearance" - ie, the three in suits - were NOT happy with the classroom lecture style. Of course I was one of two people with questions (another suited older woman also had some). I actually re-read the announcement before going and it showed.
Seems that this is a new format for strong customer service jobs like airline steward, to see who has a personality that shines out in a crowd.
I did get a call-back for the second of three interviews they were going to do, but between the hours (4 full days and then two 1/2 days in the middle of the afternoon with Sunday being the only day actually off so you can't get anything done with your life) and the pay that is a "no". I had the highest degree, with everyone else that had a Bachelor's just graduated. So either experience or education, and not both.
Really, I shouldn't have applied in the first place but so few jobs actually describe what they want and this one sounded promising but turned out to be the average skill level. Those that post pay for the title "administrative assistant", I have seen vary from $7 to $22 per hour with the majority either at $10 to $12 OR $15 per hour. It would be really helpful if they give you a better idea of the range they are looking at.
Still the group interview showed how other people dress for interviews (white shirts about to pop, jeans, etc), what they carried their interview products in (bright purses, black folders, etc), how they prepared (or not) for the interview, and how they present themselves for answering questions. I hope this is a fad that doesn't spread because it was disheartening to a lot of the youngsters and to those that had been out of a job a while.
I do see why it is useful for high-pressure customer service jobs, like a front desk admission position. I expect that this type of interview will catch on in the efficient world and people need to be aware that they might find this "cage-match" format.