I applied through a staffing agency. I interviewed at Sapphire Accounting (Bramhall, England) in June 2023
Interview
Sadly, this company seem to adopt the two stage interview process, but their execution of the first stage is embarrassing and abysmal. Interviewer (who was a maternity cover PA to the MD), was late to the teams interview by 2 minutes, even though candidates get penalised if they are late. PA seemed to lack any real intellectual substance and appeared to judge my face fitted rather than ask about what experience I had in payroll. As somebody in their 30s, I find that being asked how my friends would describe me and what I do in my spare time infantile questions. I felt this so-called interviewer was recruiting for love island villa members, rather than people from various backgrounds, with experience to be able to go forward to the second stage of the interview. I am sorry, I am not an overly made up dolly bird. My advice, please get managers of the various departments within the company to do the interviews, rather than a screen test by a vacuous yet judgemental bore. I am applying for an accounting firm, not for a bikini-clad reality show. I suggest re-writing your questions and doing away with the pre-screening profile check.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Q. Why do you want to work for Sapphire? Q. How would your friends describe you? Q. What do you like doing in your spare time? Q. Why did you leave previous jobs etc. Q. What are your long term goals if you do work here?