I went for an interview pre-COVID. I think it's always good to read an applicant's CV before they step into the room (already a daunting experience for most people) otherwise it leads to a lot of "filling in the blanks" for the interviewer and it makes for an altogether frustrating experience for the interviewee.
I'd had a phone interview with completely different members of the team prior to this. I found myself rehashing a lot of what I'd already said, before trying to fill in the blanks of what was on my CV, BEFORE trying to make progress and present an interesting and impressive interview.
If that wasn't bad enough... It gets worse. I'm not normally one to complain, but sometimes it's good to share. The two members accompanied me to the interview room (which was entirely glass on 3 sides.) They spent the majority of the interview staring out of the windows into the wider office and weren't prepared for me to ask questions about their approach to brand campaigns, shortlisting, pitching.
Having worked in the industry for 7 years, I was quizzing them on different fundamental elements of the indsutry. We discussed the emergence of ASA guidelines (which they were unaware of, so I told them) and the community online as a whole. It was more of a one-sided "me talking at them" which would demoralise the most confident of candidates.
I think I left the room with the self-esteem of a teaspoon. I wanted to be part of a forward-thinking young team... but there also needs to be professionalism.
