There will probably be an opportunity before your first interview to ask about the company’s hiring procedure. If there isn’t – you should ask, nicely, anyway. It’s a fair question and this knowledge could help you, will give you increased confidence and calm your nerves.
Here are some questions to ask to understand a company’s hiring procedure:
Can you describe the step-by-step hiring procedure?
Most employers and almost all large employers will be happy to explain the procedure to you. Every company has a different way of hiring people and this of course depends on the level you are applying. Barclays used Topgrading for Associate Director and above – am not sure if they still do. You may have competency and group tests and telephone interviews before you even meet someone for a real interview. Then you may have one or several interviews and you may be interviewed on your own or in a group. You may be interviewed by one person or you may be interviewed by two people playing good cop/bad cop or you may be interviewed by a panel. I have been interviewed by a panel once – it was terrifying to start off with – I wasn’t prepared for that and wish I had been.
- Will I be taking any tests?
Some companies require job candidates to take certain tests before they are offered the job. This can range between psychological, aptitude, technical, intelligence, maths, abstract reasoning, or physical (drug) test; or a combination of these. By finding out what tests you are taking, if any, where the tests will take place, who will be conducting the tests, and when the tests will happen will allow you to prepare yourself and relax in the knowledge that there will not be a surprise exam. You may also have written tests. This can be a problem for people with dyslexia and an issue that I have worked on with clients increasingly over the years. Dyslexia is bad enough at the best of times but when time pressure is added it gets worse. I have a good friend who has dyslexia and have an idea, as much as anyone can who doesn’t have it, how frustrating it can be. One of my clients had been applying for positions at law firms but kept on having to do (hand)written exercises. We worked on his confidence and then he approached the firm, explained the situation – was given an extra 10 minutes to do the exercise and, most importantly, was allowed to use a laptop which obviously included spell check. He got the job and he and his family were over the moon – but that wouldn’t have happened without asking the questions first.
- How long will you make to reach a decision?
Some employers will make a decision on the spot, while others may take weeks. Knowing that a decision will take a week when you think you will find out immediately can spare you the nerves of not knowing when you will find out. This is the least important question to ask – but it will stop the nerves jangling for weeks afterwards.
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