tech_guy Posted June 12, 2012 Posted June 12, 2012 I recently attended an interview. Things were progressing smoothly until we came to the 'group role-playing session' section of the day.... There were half a dozen of us, and during the coffee break earlier we'd discussed what this session could possibly entail, and came to the conclusion it would be the usual 'support the difficult IT customer' type scenarios. How wrong we were. The session started. We had to stand in a circle, arms outstretched, and pretend that we were trees..... Not only 'pretend' that we were trees - we had to act like trees as well. At first we were willows, and we had to swish our arms around. Then we became oaks.....tall and strong..... At this point we were all looking for the hidden cameras and I made everyone laugh by saying I hoped we weren't horse chestnuts next as I might drop my conkers..... We then had to explain what trees we might be if we had a choice and why. I know what they were getting at with the session but what a stupid way of doing it! And for an IT job! I know now that if I ever audition for Playschool I've got a good chance! I'm not going to name the company interviewing as we had to sign a declaration at the start of the interview process that we would not 'disseminate any information regarding the interview process to third parties'...... Whoops.
X-13 Posted June 12, 2012 Posted June 12, 2012 Sounds like a treemendous waste of time... Then again, better than having an irate end-user, roleplay or otherwise, barking at you.
sonofsanta Posted June 12, 2012 Posted June 12, 2012 Seems a fair test to me. Now they know how much BS you're willing to put up with if they employ you. Important when you're near the bottom of the ladder in IT Support.
AngryTechnician Posted June 12, 2012 Posted June 12, 2012 I've heard about these sorts of interview techniques, but never actually been subjected to them. The closest I've ever got to bizarre interviews were the ones I did for IBM's graduate programme, part of which involved a teamwork exercise building something out of LEGO. I can sympathise with the idea of going off-piste for graduate job recruitment as it's difficult to judge a group of people who don't have experience, but if I was ever asked to be a tree when going for an experienced role, I would simply walk out. I think it's fair to say I have a pretty low tolerance for HR nonsense.
Max_Power Posted June 12, 2012 Posted June 12, 2012 Im a little "Stumped" as to why they want you to act as trees?
pete Posted June 12, 2012 Posted June 12, 2012 I've heard about these sorts of interview techniques, but never actually been subjected to them. The closest I've ever got to bizarre interviews were the ones I did for IBM's graduate programme, part of which involved a teamwork exercise building something out of LEGO. Bet they didn't repeat it: HR: OK, onto phase two of the interviews Geeks: Can't talk, building Lego. *interlude during which someone is sent out for more Lego* HR to $Boss: There might be a the Star Destroyer in the conference room during your meeting. We can't lift it. 1
Oaktech Posted June 12, 2012 Posted June 12, 2012 I walked out of one of those. I was pretty annoyed as i'd travelled for the interview and i wanted the job but i wasn't prepared to crawl around a meeting room in a good suit and pretend to be a wild animal. It would appear that I just don't have that good a sense of humour.
Bromcom_John Posted June 12, 2012 Posted June 12, 2012 I am waiting for the interview where the roleplay session asctually involves the interviewer getting out some dice, pencils and paper and starting the process with "Your name is Tordek, you are a Dwarf fighter from the frozen northlands. You enter a 10' x 10' room, there is a chest being guarded by an orc. What do you do?" 4
X-13 Posted June 12, 2012 Posted June 12, 2012 "Your name is Tordek, you are a Dwarf fighter from the frozen northlands. You enter a 10' x 10' room, there is a chest being guarded by an orc. What do you do?" Check for traps. Check the ceiling for traps.
unixman_again Posted June 12, 2012 Posted June 12, 2012 I've had a similar experience. In one job interview, all five candidates were present and we had to do a group exercise which involved building a tower out of supplied junk to get a teddy bear as high as possile off the ground. We had five minutes. Another task was to solve level 10 of the Rush Hour game. We also had to hold a meeting between the five of us while the panel watched, and explain to the other candidates why the school should hire us. I didn't get the job and I'm glad!
sted Posted June 12, 2012 Posted June 12, 2012 Check for traps. Check the ceiling for traps. http://cache.ohinternet.com/images/b/be/Ackbar.jpg and as to trees
CHR1S Posted June 12, 2012 Posted June 12, 2012 I've had the junk tower test before, but I would have politely said get stuffed at the tree bit! I'm there because I'm good at what I do, not to embarrass myself for the pleasure of the interviewers! 1
GrumbleDook Posted June 12, 2012 Posted June 12, 2012 But things like that are fun ... it is about letting go of a few inhibitions and throwing yourself into it. Done well it can be a fantastic way of finding people who will muck in, adapt and play well with others. Of course, done badly and they will produce anger, hostility, frustration and sarcasm. A good HR team will plant a candidate who can soften any animosity towards these sort of activities without giving away how to complete tasks. Still ... could have been worse. I've been asked to act out the sinking of the Titanic before. 6 of us made the iceberg and 2 made the Titanic. Some of the hammiest acting I've seen since Keanu Reeves was in Much Ado About Nothing.
kernewek-sam Posted June 12, 2012 Posted June 12, 2012 A good HR team will plant a candidate who can soften any animosity towards these sort of activities without giving away how to complete tasks. Another tree based pun??
CHR1S Posted June 12, 2012 Posted June 12, 2012 Im sorry but if I was going for an acting job yes, but reinacting the sinking of the Titanic? I can just see it - (Imagine Blackadder and the Interviewer is Col. Melchett) Interviewer - Ok, so you two are the iceberg and you three the ship... chop chop, get on with it! Interviewee - But I've got a degree in computer science, a doctorate in computational mathematics and I've been in IT for 25 years? Interviewer - But we have to find out if you are a team player and will be a good laugh at the Christmas party! Hmm, ok you be Kate Winslet! Interviewee - I was lead programmer for IBM's Watson! Interviewer - *Looks up from his candidate list after crossing the candidates name off* Uh what, who's son? Nepotism will get you nowhere here! See Dave over there? He's exactly what were after, he's recreating the end scene where Jack drowns with the top of my desk and a bucket of water! Imagine what he could do with a Christmas turkey, some mistletoe and a fake snowman! Interviewee - A fake snowman? Interviewer - You know? The type you get at Christmas parties? Pah, cant you do anything? Get out of my sight!
russdev Posted June 12, 2012 Posted June 12, 2012 (edited) The thing about interviews is 10% is to do with experience. They already know about that as they read your CV they are just making sure you didn't lie on it. The rest is about if you fit into the company and how you work and adapt... Russell Edited June 12, 2012 by russdev 2
elsiegee40 Posted June 12, 2012 Posted June 12, 2012 But things like that are fun ... I agree. Back in the day... when I was a whippersnapper going through graduate screening and everything was black and white (including the telly)... I did loads of selection screenings. When I finally started enjoying them, I got 3 job offers in a week and I didn't need to do them any more
PICNIC Posted June 13, 2012 Posted June 13, 2012 A good HR team A what? never come across such a thing, usually busy trying to justify their existence
Popular Post AMLinington Posted June 13, 2012 Popular Post Posted June 13, 2012 Oh dear, that sounds horrifying! I probably would have declined at that point. As a professional, if I'd been asked to behave as a tree I would have said 'sorry but if this is how your company treats applicants this is not a company I want to work for'. An interview is not just about begging them to employ you, it is also about whether or not you want to work for that company and if they treat you like a fool then clearly that will establish a pattern for your employment so I'd have told them to get bent... 5
X-13 Posted June 13, 2012 Posted June 13, 2012 Oh dear, that sounds horrifying! I probably would have declined at that point. As a professional, if I'd been asked to behave as a tree I would have said 'sorry but if this is how your company treats applicants this is not a company I want to work for'. An interview is not just about begging them to employ you, it is also about whether or not you want to work for that company and if they treat you like a fool then clearly that will establish a pattern for your employment so I'd have told them to get bent... So you'd make like a tree... and leaf?
Oaktech Posted June 13, 2012 Posted June 13, 2012 So you'd make like a tree... and leaf? Enough with the puns... I work for LEAF... no, really, thats what our federation is called!
X-13 Posted June 13, 2012 Posted June 13, 2012 Enough with the puns... I work for LEAF... no, really, thats what our federation is called! Which branch? That may be the root of your problem. 4
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