Who else on here was interviewed with a group of other candidates at the same time? (interview, unemployed)

[FBJ]

I read these type of interviews are becoming more common and i was defintely surprised this week and the directions were to talk among each other while three directors observed our interactions within the group. Anyone else experienced a interview like this?

[tabbcat]

I've walked out of two such interviews once I realized what they were. I'm friendly and outgoing...but I'd much rather be judged on my merits, not how I greet the competition. I'm sure it's a good way to assess certain types of candidates for certain types of jobs, but I assume I'm giving this interview one hour of good faith time and effort. I expect them to do me the same favor, and I feel that's impossible in group settings where they're evaluating more than one person. It just feels lazy to me. Now if I were unemployed, I might feel differently.

[danameless]

I have to agree with tabbcat, I've heard of interviews like that, but don't believe in them because you don't really spend the time you need with each candidate before making a decision on whether they move to the next round or not. Hoe someone interacts with a employer is different than how he/she would act with someone that is not a decision maker.

I've been part of panel interviews, which is common now too, where 2-3 managers interview one candidate at one time. Those are pretty tough. It's like having multiple questions shot at you in one time.

[FarNorthDallas]

Flight attendant interviews are group interviews. 10 or so candidates and one interviewer.

[FBJ]

Originally Posted by tabbcat

I've walked out of two such interviews once I realized what they were. I'm friendly and outgoing...but I'd much rather be judged on my merits, not how I greet the competition. I'm sure it's a good way to assess certain types of candidates for certain types of jobs, but I assume I'm giving this interview one hour of good faith time and effort. I expect them to do me the same favor, and I feel that's impossible in group settings where they're evaluating more than one person. It just feels lazy to me. Now if I were unemployed, I might feel differently.

After the group exercise, they selected the candidates they wanted to interview upstairs individually.

[jmking]

Sounds like a dog and pony show. Or a "men in black" interview.

[tabbcat]

Originally Posted by TVandSportsGuy

After the group exercise, they selected the candidates they wanted to interview upstairs individually.

If they can't select me for an interview based on my resume and/or phone screen, I probably don't want the job I don't regret not sticking around. What is it, American Idol?

[FBJ]

Originally Posted by tabbcat

If they can't select me for an interview based on my resume and/or phone screen, I probably don't want the job I don't regret not sticking around. What is it, American Idol?

I'm thinking because there were hiring a lot of people at once and it was easier to eliminate candidates based on the group exercise. There were three people who not even properly dressed so they probably were eliminated quickly.

[tabbcat]

Oh, of course it's easier to do that... but it's not cool. It'd be like if I invited four contractors over to my house at the same time to bid on a project. They'd be trying to one-up each other and they'd all sound like ridiculous jackasses.

[FBJ]

Originally Posted by tabbcat

Oh, of course it's easier to do that... but it's not cool. It'd be like if I invited four contractors over to my house at the same time to bid on a project. They'd be trying to one-up each other and they'd all sound like ridiculous jackasses.

I think I would have left it everyone was there for one position. Now that situation I would have not been interested but since they have 5 poistions open i'm hoping they feel I will be a good fit for one of the other ones if I'm not selected for the one I applied for