I'll begin my review with a brief overview of my application process. When I viewed the application for the junior pricing analyst role, I was met with promising sounding aspects. This included, no experience needed, and the willingness to train someone, so based on this, I threw my hat in the ring. I was thankful for the opportunity when I was then shortlisted for the role. Though, this did not mean going straight to interview, as beforehand, I was to complete 3 lengthy assessments on my personality and technical skills, which also involved having to film myself for some answers. In the email received, I was informed that these would take around 20-40 minutes each, but in reality they actually took me much closer to 60-90 minutes to complete.
Upon entering the building for my in-person interview, I was met with friendly front of house staff, so I've nothing bad to say of the people working there. Unfortunately though, I fear the same cannot be said for the people who interviewed me. 45 minutes before I was due to be at my interview, I was phoned asking if I could come 30 minutes later than scheduled. Furthermore, when I arrived at the store, they still weren't ready to interview me, so I had to wait in the reception for a further 15 minutes. Then, when they were finally ready, the entire process felt insanely rushed, and felt more like an interrogation than an interview. As I started the interview I was met with the phrase "I've only got 30 minutes". This was then followed up by a long list of quick fire questions, which made me feel rushed and pressured with my responses.
Based on the aspects in the job posting of being willing to train someone, as well as being accepting of someone with no experience, I was under the impression that the company would be positive about these considering it was what was advertised. However, when in the interview, I had mentioned that these were what had drawn me in to apply for the role in the first place, I was met with disapproving looks and patronising tones. I was informed that it's not an educational role, which understandably it's not like I was applying for an apprenticeship, yet, as far as I'm aware, training a junior is still the equivalent to learning on the job? So I'm still not quite sure what was meant by that, because a junior role should still at least be in some sense educational.
Half way through the interview, I started to wonder what I was even doing there in the first place. Why had they chosen to interview me, if based on my CV and assessments, I clearly didn't have the skills to do this role? I would have much preferred to just be rejected earlier on in the process. To top off my abhorrent experience here, when concluding the interview I wasn't even asked if I had any questions myself for them, and was practically pushed out the door.
Overall, the entire interview felt rushed and deeply unprofessional, with a complete disregard of respect for my time. Though I do have one thing to thank them for, and that is for setting the bar so low as this was my first job interview!
