Recorded interviews - nightmare!

[TommyKnocker]

I'm looking at returning to work after about 7/8 years at home so I knew it wouldn't be easy but I've just done a few recorded interviews for the Civil Service (few different roles and grades) and Jesus Christ it was bad.

I actually used to enjoy being interviewed, I was good at it (interviewing was a large part of my role) but this new way of interviewing is crazy to me. I'm not a waffler and was prepared but something about a visible timer and not being able to play off a panel really got me. I had an interview on Teams the other week which was fine so it's not so much the being online.

Is it just me that hates this new style?

Is that the type you just talk to the camera with a countdown I’ve done one of those and it’s really off putting and my interest and concentration tailed off rapidly. Doesn’t help I have ADHD.

Had a teams interview today with a small panel and was offered the job at the end of the interview, made a huge difference.

Yes, question on screen in text format then you are recorded for a set amount of time - interesting as I have ADHD as well obviously this format doesn't work well for our brains!

I can't imagine that format working for anyone! It sounds brutal

I did one of those last year. It was predictably awful. It had a computer voice asking some set questions. I gave them feedback afterwards that it didn’t get the best out of me, why not have a person asking the questions? It’s awful feeling like you are talking to a machine! I actually did get through to the second round of interviews but I found the experience horrible.

I mark these for a different role and I don't think it's ideal for the recruiter either. The inability to clarify minor points means good candidates can be marked down when face to face you could have just asked them to clarify.

Thing is these 'interviews' are the final stage - I could possibly understand if they were used as a sift prior to sitting down with a panel or single interviewer but this is it. For some roles there were initial tests (verbal reasoning etc which was fine) and some had written competency questions (one I was told they decided not to use for sifting after - thank you for wasting my time you could have just said I passed that stage!) but there has been no opportunity for me to ask any questions or get a feel for the role beyond the advert.

Appreciate the civil service is different to private sector but I'm finding the process odd - if I didn't keep hearing they were a flexible employer I'd stick with private.

@TommyKnocker def a disadvantage because I need something/someone to focus on and interact with otherwise I struggle because lack of instant feedback or recognition you’re possibly similar ?

Oh Lordy that sounds truly hideous.

I've had a few interviews this year via teams which was fine but can't imagine this robotic approach, awful.

They are weird but I managed to get the job through one like this.