I unfortunately applied for the role of Case Lead at OFCOM in 2020. OFCOM’s hiring process took 7 months. Yes, you read that correctly 7 whole months from the time I submitted my application online to the time I finally received a pre-scripted rejection email. I think it’s worth pointing out this was all going on during the peak of a global pandemic when candidates were already grappling with all sorts of additional restrictions, constraints, bereavements and adversity. The process was cumbersome, unnecessarily onerous and the Panel interview in particular, was shockingly myopic in approach. I have never been left so infuriated at the end of an interview. They subjected me to a rather technical case study given that it was industry specific. Despite that I executed it to level that was probably better than most on their so-called panel could achieve. Despite this being one of the key skills required for the role they did not give it sufficient weight. For example, consideration of my rationale, commercial acumen, stakeholder management approach and final proposal for a course of action. That being said the case study was the best part of the process as it did give a doorway into the team’s work, current thinking and regulations. I must admit I enjoyed the challenge. Put simply, they were not interested in who could actually do the job. If they were truly looking for a case lead, they would be looking for people who know how to run cases and reach the right outcomes. I reiterate that it was the second to last round, a ‘Panel Interview’ over zoom that in my opinion made the experience a negative one after months of waiting. They had no consideration for the fact in the earlier months of the pandemic most (then) were not used to interviewing over a poor zoom connection not to talk of in front of a panel. Yes, I practiced but it still felt really awkward. Despite the time invested in the case study the panel failed to ask me any questions on it or why I had reached my conclusions. If they, had they probably would have seen evidence of more of the skills they were looking for. It is only my personal option based on my experience with them. I left with the impression that the panel were very clique(ky) and not interested in how I would actually tackle issues that could arise on the job. I think this was more to do with appearance, cultural fit and the fact that my journey prior to that point did not fit into their own narrative or perception of what a good career journey or hardworking / capable professional looks like. I left feeling interrogated like they had a pre-mediated plan to ask me loads of ridiculous question because they had already made up their mind that I was not capable or the right type of person. Something just did not sit well with me; an interview should feel like a conversation or an opportunity for the recruiter to know if your right for the specific role. I do not know why they wasted my time inviting me for the interview in the first place. This feedback has not been posted in bitterness or malice. I posting it for other candidates to prepare themselves mentally for what lays ahead. I am also posting it for OFCOM to possibly take the time to review its hiring practices and stop the scripted overly general open ended competency questions. An extremely negative experience overall.