Bennetts interview questions

Unfortunately this was the worst interview process I have ever been involved with. Had a first round interview in Dec with a HR Representative and team Director, was which quite informal and I expected to be told quite quickly about progressing. This took over 6 weeks to be told about going through to Round 2, which would be a presentation on a subject matter yet to be decided, with still no date for the next stage. This took another 3 weeks for a date to be agreed and presentation subject confirmed...and then the company paused all recruitment, but didn't tell me! I had to chase multiple times before getting an answer. 3 months later this resumed and I said I was still interested and got told the presentation, which was a paper on "What marketing means to me". So nothing tangible, just subjective, and very little guidance. During the presenting to two of the directors, I was asked numerous questions that were not part of the presentation - this is fine, but there was a suggestion they should have been part of my content, and challenged my answers with "That's not how things work at Bennetts, so how would you do things differently." This was a common theme in the interview - rather than an open discussion on my ideas, there was a lot of kick back and challenge , almost expecting me to know how the company wanted to work and not have a different approach. This is very different from any other interview I've been a part of. There was another 3 weeks wait - despite me being told I was the only person in the interview process. During this time, I saw the role uploaded again on job sites, and Bennetts began using a head hunter - I know this as they contacted me about applying for the role! I was obviously not successful and wasn't given clear feedback as to why, despite asking for the reasons. They pointed to me not answering questions like "Team structure", but this wasn't part of the presentation brief or asked at the interview. Given the subjective nature of the presentation it didn't seem fair. The main feedback was they just didn't think I was the right fit for the role and how they wanted it to develop. Given the lengthy interview process and lack of communication, I had doubts about accepting the role at Bennetts anyway, but my main frustration was being messed around for over 5 months, during which the goalposts for the role clearly changed, but no one at Bennetts had the decency or courage to tell me, instead making me go through the presentation.

A fantastic interview process, clearly outlining the interview process. The first interview with the hiring manager and HR to assess company and fit, culture and values. Followed by a skills based interview task to key stakeholders, and potential peers. Very well organised, and indicative of the company approach