I want to apologise for being so very late in writing about this. However, I thought it hardly fair to punish Jobsite by not writing about their site just because I am tardy!
Last month Jobsite launched BeMyInterviewer.co.uk, described as "the UK’s first interactive video based website offering jobseekers interview practise with some of the UK’s leading business bosses and HR managers".
The "interviewers" are Ruth Badger (businesswoman, consultant and runner up on The Apprentice), Duncan Bannatyne (serial entrepreneur and star of Dragons’ Den), Andy Hart (MD of Associated Northcliffe Digital), Jacqueline Gold (CEO of Ann Summers and Knickerbox), Kirsty MacCulloch (Senior Project Manager for graduate recruiters Hobsons/GET), Moray Coulter (Production Talent Executive at ITV) and Keith Potts (CEO of Jobsite.co.uk).
Before looking at the site I had assumed it would feature questions AND suggested answers from these individuals. However, it's just the questions - I suppose you are meant to then answer the question to your computer screen! It is great for candidates to have forwarning as to what questions they might be posed and I really like the fact they have made this visual rather than just boring old "top 50 interview questions" format. However, what's missing is advice as to how to answer these questions (Eva over at online-Recruiting.net thought the same). I'm not suggesting they actually give a sample answer but maybe suggest what the question is getting at. For example to the question of "Tell me a secret you’ve never told anyone before” - does Andy want to know the fact you really fancy Prince Charles, or is he more interested in you proving you can keep a secret (by keeping schtum to him) or should you laugh and show him your sense of humour, etc (actually, I would really love Andy to explain that question to me!).
I haven't listened to all the questions (mostly as I am hoping never to have to endure a job interview again in my life) but I did choose to listen to some of Ruth's. The photo on the home page of the site does not do her justice - she looks slightly cross/raunchy at the same time and I'm sure that's not the idea. However, I thought her presentation style was great and I liked all her questions.
Anyway, all in all I'd suggest that if you have a candidate who you can't (although you should!) offer interview advice to yourself - point them in the direction of www.bemyinterviewer.co.uk.
Update: Vicky at Jobsite has phoned me to point out that I am totally wrong and that the "answers" are on the website. However, as I wasn't the only person to miss them they'll be making it a bit clearer when they update the site.
Anyway, so I now know that with the "tell me a secret" question Andy is looking to assess the integrity of a candidate. He doesn't want to hear your secrets - he is looking to see if someone "has the self respect to not say anything". Hmmm.
be my interviewer in health and social care
Posted by: ololade | 28 August 2008 at 05:34 PM