I applied through an employee referral. I interviewed at Hays (London, England) in Aug 2016
Interview
Quick 10 minute phone interviewer with an internal recruiter - very simple just wants to find out more about you and your CV
Next stage is a face-to-face 1:1 with the same internal recruiter - expanding on CV and also mini role play of calling a hiring manager and trying to win their business
Next stage is an assessment centre with around 10 people. Intro to Hays, 2 role plays after you have analysed some info and you also have to write a job advert
Final stage is an interview with directors
My assessment centre was a terrible experience as had an Australian senior internal recruiter screaming and being completely obnoxious from the back of the room, and then went on to be the other part in the role play
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
How many offices/employees does Hays have in UK&I/world?
I applied through other source. The process took 3 weeks. I interviewed at Hays (Dublin, Dublin) in July 2024
Interview
They were not upfront the number of interview stages involved. Interviewed for their intern position and it was a 4 stage interview process with the last being interview with one of their Directors. Last two stages was just a calendar invite to attend a teams meeting with some individuals, no accompanying email or whatsoever to tell you what the invite was all about and I found this very unprofessional for a recruitment agency especially as there was no consideration that such appointment could clash with any prior appointment one already has going on.
Interviews were generally OK and friendly until the last one with the Director who from first meeting came across as very unfriendly and towards the end, made me feel I was taking up too much of her time by asking questions at the end of the interview.
I applied online. The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at Hays (Reading, England) in Aug 2022
Interview
Very smooth interview process with all my questions being clearly answered. 1st stage was a teams call where I undertook a role play activity. 2nd stage was talking with the Senior Manager again on teams. 3rd and final stage was in person at the office, speaking again with the Senior manager as well as various directors/ employees. Was told there would be a chance for phone work but at the end of the interview was told it was no longer necessary. Overall, it was nice to converse with team members and barely felt the pressure of an interview.
I applied online. I interviewed at Hays (Brisbane)
Interview
Very structured interview process. A lot of questions about what you know or have researched about company. A small assessment at end which includes role playing. However, Not many situational questions to allow interviewee to highlight their experience and interpersonal skills. Interviewer I had was smiley and lovely, but also little condescending and passive aggressive. She seemed annoyed that I had not done sufficient research about company, yet my answers were based all the information provided on website and documentation provided. Felt more like I was being quizzed. May have been miscommunication. At no point in interview was I walked through throughly about how company differs from others, how they achieve their objectives, company culture, and what they offer employees. Majority of the interview felt like my answers where being nitpicked. Felt rushed and was received unsolicited and bizzare feedback.