3 interviews, a presentation, offer and now tests - normal?
Discussion
Hi all, just after a little advice.
I work for a big company, on very good pay for my level. I'm 32. Happy(ish) and secure in my current role. In role for 8 years.
I got approached by a recruiter with what turned out to be a perfect role for me elsewhere, for 17% more pay. Another big company. I am very interested indeed, but don't NEED to move.
Up front, i got told i would have two interviews.
I have so far had a telephone interview, then a tough presentation and full interview, then another interview with the big boss. They then made an offer which i accepted.
I was next asked to provide two references, before they would give me a contract. I did this and the referees have both replied. I still don't have a contract in hand.
Today, 2 months into this process, for the first time they have asked me to do numeric and verbal reasoning tests.
Is this normal? What would you be saying?
My old man, brother and best mate are all advising i need to put my foot down, as it's getting silly now - they either want me or they don't....they should be sure by now and my degree and CV show i have good numeracy and verbal reasoning else i wouldn't have acheived what i have. Furthermore, my current employer got me to do the same tests!
I work for a big company, on very good pay for my level. I'm 32. Happy(ish) and secure in my current role. In role for 8 years.
I got approached by a recruiter with what turned out to be a perfect role for me elsewhere, for 17% more pay. Another big company. I am very interested indeed, but don't NEED to move.
Up front, i got told i would have two interviews.
I have so far had a telephone interview, then a tough presentation and full interview, then another interview with the big boss. They then made an offer which i accepted.
I was next asked to provide two references, before they would give me a contract. I did this and the referees have both replied. I still don't have a contract in hand.
Today, 2 months into this process, for the first time they have asked me to do numeric and verbal reasoning tests.
Is this normal? What would you be saying?
My old man, brother and best mate are all advising i need to put my foot down, as it's getting silly now - they either want me or they don't....they should be sure by now and my degree and CV show i have good numeracy and verbal reasoning else i wouldn't have acheived what i have. Furthermore, my current employer got me to do the same tests!
I am fairly ugly but not that bad.
I was a lot more junior when i previously had to do tests. It was also the very first step, not the last in a make-it-up-as-we-go-along Neverending Story.
This time, i can point to lots of experience which required the skills the tests are testing for, so surely they're pointless?
I was a lot more junior when i previously had to do tests. It was also the very first step, not the last in a make-it-up-as-we-go-along Neverending Story.
This time, i can point to lots of experience which required the skills the tests are testing for, so surely they're pointless?
Seems strange to do this at the end. At my work they are usually done at the start to avoid wasted time interviewing if people don't pass but it's hardly a measure of competence.
When we recruit apprentices they are part of the assessment day. I for one think they are a waste of time and have taken people who have scored well down on the tests but have shown practical application and can talk to you face to face. The test can't pick up on that. Incidentally these have been my best performing employees.
When we recruit apprentices they are part of the assessment day. I for one think they are a waste of time and have taken people who have scored well down on the tests but have shown practical application and can talk to you face to face. The test can't pick up on that. Incidentally these have been my best performing employees.
Sounds like a disjointed, uncoordinated, bureaucratic mess with multiple people dipping their finger into the interview pot and throwing their weight around. Suspect someone was not involved in the early interview process, found out later and demanded they have a say with their special tests.
Expect more of the same shenanigans when you join them.
Expect more of the same shenanigans when you join them.
Yipper said:
Sounds like a disjointed, uncoordinated, bureaucratic mess with multiple people dipping their finger into the interview pot and throwing their weight around. Suspect someone was not involved in the early interview process, found out later and demanded they have a say with their special tests.
Expect more of the same shenanigans when you join them.
That would be my view too, if they are so bad at this stage..imagine what working for them would be like Expect more of the same shenanigans when you join them.
Yipper said:
Sounds like a disjointed, uncoordinated, bureaucratic mess with multiple people dipping their finger into the interview pot and throwing their weight around. Suspect someone was not involved in the early interview process, found out later and demanded they have a say with their special tests.
Expect more of the same shenanigans when you join them.
Expect more of the same shenanigans when you join them.
Tests before they see you, annoying pre-filter. Tests after you've had the offer? Arse Elbow Identification Issues.
Good, it's not just me then. I think I'm going to put my foot down with them. Enough's enough.
I take the points about disorganisation and this being a potential warning sign, however my own company's HR people are similarly daft. I feel sorry for the messing around the people I interview have to go through. The the rest of the company is efficient though, so you shouldn't judge a company by the standard of their HR dept.
I take the points about disorganisation and this being a potential warning sign, however my own company's HR people are similarly daft. I feel sorry for the messing around the people I interview have to go through. The the rest of the company is efficient though, so you shouldn't judge a company by the standard of their HR dept.
rustyuk said:
I had 6 interviews and a test for a position at Capital One when they first moved over from the States.
They then asked me to attend for a further 3 interviews. I declined!
I don't think they liked you! I had tests and a couple of interviews then got an offer.They then asked me to attend for a further 3 interviews. I declined!
My worst process was 2/3 interviews and presentation before being asked to see the big boss who told me they didn't want me to do the role advertised but another especially for me as I was a perfect fit yadda, yadda. Went quiet then I got a call apologising saying they gave my job to someone else cheaper!
Yipper said:
Sounds like a disjointed, uncoordinated, bureaucratic mess with multiple people dipping their finger into the interview pot and throwing their weight around. Suspect someone was not involved in the early interview process, found out later and demanded they have a say with their special tests.
One role I went for was 1st interview held offsite. HR manager spent most of the time on her blackberry. 2nd interview a month later. Then radio silence. 2 months later 3rd interview and verbally offered job. Then tests. Verbally offered jobs again after a further phone interview. Finally 7 months after initial interview I was given a written job offer and they wanted me to start immediately even though they knew I was going on a weeks holiday in 6 days.I should of known better than to accept.
[quote]
Expect more of the same shenanigans when you join them.
This is their behaviour when they are 'courting' you, imagine what it will be like when you are 'staff'.
What will being promoted be like? Or a proper comp review? Or growing your team?
The cost of a lateral move is at least 10%, so given the minor incremental on this, and their behaviour, I would be inclined to tell them to poke it. Also give them detailed reasons for the 'poking it'.
What will being promoted be like? Or a proper comp review? Or growing your team?
The cost of a lateral move is at least 10%, so given the minor incremental on this, and their behaviour, I would be inclined to tell them to poke it. Also give them detailed reasons for the 'poking it'.
Bullett said:
rustyuk said:
I had 6 interviews and a test for a position at Capital One when they first moved over from the States.
They then asked me to attend for a further 3 interviews. I declined!
I don't think they liked you! I had tests and a couple of interviews then got an offer.They then asked me to attend for a further 3 interviews. I declined!
How did you get on with it?
Edited by rustyuk on Saturday 29th July 09:24
M3CS said:
Hi all, just after a little advice.
I work for a big company, on very good pay for my level. I'm 32. Happy(ish) and secure in my current role. In role for 8 years.
I got approached by a recruiter with what turned out to be a perfect role for me elsewhere, for 17% more pay. Another big company. I am very interested indeed, but don't NEED to move.
Up front, i got told i would have two interviews.
I have so far had a telephone interview, then a tough presentation and full interview, then another interview with the big boss. They then made an offer which i accepted.
I was next asked to provide two references, before they would give me a contract. I did this and the referees have both replied. I still don't have a contract in hand.
Today, 2 months into this process, for the first time they have asked me to do numeric and verbal reasoning tests.
Is this normal? What would you be saying?
My old man, brother and best mate are all advising i need to put my foot down, as it's getting silly now - they either want me or they don't....they should be sure by now and my degree and CV show i have good numeracy and verbal reasoning else i wouldn't have acheived what i have. Furthermore, my current employer got me to do the same tests!
Tell them to fI work for a big company, on very good pay for my level. I'm 32. Happy(ish) and secure in my current role. In role for 8 years.
I got approached by a recruiter with what turned out to be a perfect role for me elsewhere, for 17% more pay. Another big company. I am very interested indeed, but don't NEED to move.
Up front, i got told i would have two interviews.
I have so far had a telephone interview, then a tough presentation and full interview, then another interview with the big boss. They then made an offer which i accepted.
I was next asked to provide two references, before they would give me a contract. I did this and the referees have both replied. I still don't have a contract in hand.
Today, 2 months into this process, for the first time they have asked me to do numeric and verbal reasoning tests.
Is this normal? What would you be saying?
My old man, brother and best mate are all advising i need to put my foot down, as it's getting silly now - they either want me or they don't....they should be sure by now and my degree and CV show i have good numeracy and verbal reasoning else i wouldn't have acheived what i have. Furthermore, my current employer got me to do the same tests!
k off. I went through virtually the same thing once and had the exact same thoughts as you, however my tolerance level for being messed about is admittedly very low. I told the agency and the company that I was no longer interested along with the reasons why. Within an hour my phone was ringing from the agency saying that the job was mine and there would no longer be any extra interviews. However despite the offer on the table my gut instinct was giving me warning signs that it didn't feel right and I didn't take it, but what I did do was use the offer to negotiate a nice pay rise at my existing place bringing my pay near enough inline with what the other place were offering. If you're happy where you are and money is the only reason for your move then I suggest you do the same. The grass isn't always (in fact - rarely is) greener... Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff