Interview "tests"- what's your experience?

[gettingridiculous]

Just had my first formal interview in 12 years. 30 minutes of face-to-face competency-based interview and then a "writing" test. I had been warned about a test but had no idea what it would entail.

I was sat in front of a computer by a new person who gave me a 2 page "brief" and told me I had 25 minutes to complete it. I had to write a piece for the company internet site, introducing myself and had to include a few key pieces of information as per the brief. 250 words max.

So I get to it and try and craft a piece that's paced, succinct etc. After 20 minutes the person comes into the room and says, the brief has been changed, HQ have issued new guidelines, you have 5 minutes to edit your piece to fit this new brief.

A hasty bit of cutting and pasting, deleting, writing, editing etc. and then told to stop when the shortest 5 minutes in history came to an end.

I found it quite amusing. Apparently I have passed the test and am now awaiting news on the next stage of the process.

Have others had this kind of experience - is this typical of interviews these days? I was going for a project manager/co-ordinator role BTW.

I think it is quite common to include a second stage assessment of some description in interviews as well as a face to face conversation. I've got one next week where I have to take notes and do a spelling test.

Yes totally normal!

I actually quite enjoyed it in a perverse way. I guess you can't prepare for it so it levels the playing field. Sounds like you have advance warning of the note-taking and spelling test boogiewoogie so you can practise ahead of it which is good.

So it was deliberate? Ie changing the brief was part of the test?

Yes, completely deliberate. Obviously testing my ability to perform under pressure. I think if I'd said "You must be f**ing joking!" I might have falied

I've got a teaching interview coming up.

25 min lesson with a class using an unknown stimulus that will be given to me on the day. 30 mins to prepare beforehand. Then a 40 min interview. Argh!!!!!

Rokenswife good luck with the interview I imagine that will be quite an adrenalin rush! What age group are you teaching?

The interview is y4 - have been out for 3 years so a bit daunting! Thank you! X

Loving this thread! Getting ridiculous- I've been out of work for 2 years due to breast cancer now trying to get back to work. I'm on second stage interview where I've been asked to prepare a 20 minute presentation on the 3 papers the firm sent me to review and also prepare a presentation on what I intend to do in my first 30 days on the job. So it looks like that's the way the world is going since we've been out of it. My advice - shit yourself as much as you can then pick yourself up, dust yourself down and go do your thing! Good luck, you'll be fine.x

Ha ha I like the advice Motherholla! I think the worst bit is going to be coming home and waiting all afternoon for THE phone call. I shall fill my afternoon with episodes of the Young Ones. X

I quite like the on-the-day tests with no prep. I tend to cope well in those scenarios.

What I DONT like are the presentations you have to prepare beforehand. I think its very cheeky. Recently invited to an interview where they were asking interviewees (ten in total) to plan a two day conference (which they are actually putting on in September), and present it to the board. Great way to get ten people to plan your conference for free!