I interviewed at University of Worcester (Worcester, England)
Interview
The interview was simple but formal where I was asked a number of questions such as experience within that role, why I applied and availability.
Although it was formal it felt like we were just having a chat. The interviewee was friendly and the atmosphere felt quite relaxed which helped with nerves.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Can you tell me one time that you were challenged and able to adapt to that challenge
Online application, very convoluted, with many duplications, where you need to input the same information multiple times, so user unfriendly. Received an automated invite to an interview. The date for the interview was in 3 working days. Due to my current employment commitments, I wasn't able to make it, so I called the recruitment team twice and had to leave a message, I also emailed them twice informing them of my unavailability and requesting a change of the interview dates. I never received any call back or a response email prior to the interview date. On the day of the interview I received a phone call asking where I was and why I was absent at the interview. I was in disbelief. This was really disappointing, the chaos in that recruitment team was apparent; nobody picks up messages or emails. It was explained to me that the person to whom they directed all the contact was on holiday (??) Who does that? They didn't leave any OOO message directing the candidates to an alternative person. Also my emails were sent to a generic recruitment team email address, which nobody picked up. Absolutely negative candidate experience. Having realised that the interview panel had not received any information about my unavailability, I emailed them to explain the situation and acknowledge that this may have been frustrating for them. On this occasion I did receive a response, saying that they only offer one interview date and do not reschedule. Again, who does that? They are ready to lose candidates only because the candidates cannot make it to that one interview date? I find it extraordinary.
Great university with a great interview process, very supportive throughout the entire process. Followed up and asked relevant questions. Got to know you, your goals and made suggestions for the right path