Role play

Nathaniel_Essex

Does anyone else find these extremely junior and a poor assessment for someone’s capabilities for the role? Had one day to prepare for one and the feedback was my product knowledge was not there and I missed a few selling points. I look back at my cv, my experience and it’s obvious that I wouldn’t be where I am if I couldn’t male a simple phone call.

Don’t get me wrong, if you ace an role play it’s a good indicator that you can do a role but a poor one showing that you can’t. I have multiple interviews, still working at my old company and you think I have the time to spend an entire day reading 50 pages?

What happened to simply inviting someone down for an interview and questioning the, face to face?

BorisThomson

You've lost two jobs in less than a year, and you failed what you describe as a simple phone call. I'm not sure that your self confidence is well placed.

Take it as a learning experience. You won't make the same mistakes next time.

elsien

Nathaniel_Essex wrote: »

Does anyone else find these extremely junior and a poor assessment for someone!!!8217;s capabilities for the role? Had one day to prepare for one and the feedback was my product knowledge was not there and I missed a few selling points. I look back at my cv, my experience and it!!!8217;s obvious that I wouldn!!!8217;t be where I am if I couldn!!!8217;t male a simple phone call.

Don!!!8217;t get me wrong, if you ace an role play it!!!8217;s a good indicator that you can do a role but a poor one showing that you can!!!8217;t. I have multiple interviews, still working at my old company and you think I have the time to spend an entire day reading 50 pages?

What happened to simply inviting someone down for an interview and questioning the, face to face?

If you want the job then you make the time to research what you need to know for the interview. Pretty straightforward, really.

ReadingTim

Nathaniel_Essex wrote: »

What happened to simply inviting someone down for an interview and questioning the, face to face?

'Cos interviews take time to set up and conduct - you could be at it for weeks, and you still have a day job to do. It's far more efficient to use a group role play to weed out the dross, then interview those you're interested in / have made the grade.

westbridgfordguy

Nathaniel_Essex wrote: »

Does anyone else find these extremely junior and a poor assessment for someone’s capabilities for the role? Had one day to prepare for one and the feedback was my product knowledge was not there and I missed a few selling points. I look back at my cv, my experience and it’s obvious that I wouldn’t be where I am if I couldn’t male a simple phone call.

Don’t get me wrong, if you ace an role play it’s a good indicator that you can do a role but a poor one showing that you can’t. I have multiple interviews, still working at my old company and you think I have the time to spend an entire day reading 50 pages?

What happened to simply inviting someone down for an interview and questioning the, face to face?

Unfortunately these are now part and parcel of the recruitment process nowadays along with group exercises, psychometric tests, personality profiling and competency based interviews.

Businesses are trying to turn this whole process into an exact science, there are 2 ways around this, prepare for all of the above or exclude yourself from opportunities where you think they will apply any of these techniques.

bugslet

westbridgfordguy wrote: »

Unfortunately these are now part and parcel of the recruitment process nowadays along with group exercises, psychometric tests, personality profiling and competency based interviews.

Businesses are trying to turn this whole process into an exact science, there are 2 ways around this, prepare for all of the above or exclude yourself from opportunities where you think they will apply any of these techniques.

Unfortunately, westbridgfordguy has nailed it.

Personally I don't think they really are the best way to get staff. I know I'd be rubbish at it, I don't act and pretend scenarios would just feel silly to me. I might be able to do the job in real life though.

Last person I interviewed was in a bar, worked for both of us.:D

CKhalvashi

bugslet wrote: »

Unfortunately, westbridgfordguy has nailed it.

Personally I don't think they really are the best way to get staff. I know I'd be rubbish at it, I don't act and pretend scenarios would just feel silly to me. I might be able to do the job in real life though.

Last person I interviewed was in a bar, worked for both of us.:D

I don't think they work either.

For a junior role, a 5 minute chat and sitting the interviewee live on the phones for an hour if it goes well (paid either way for the time spent working, of course) is usually the best way to weed out the bad apples.

For anything more senior, a more formal setup is required. This doesn't involve group role play as it doesn't IMO work in the real world.

For me, the second part of Westbridgfordguy's post nails it perfectly.

Smodlet

I admit I used to hate them too but, having watched "The Job Interview" on Channel 4, I think role play does have its uses, perhaps especially for sales roles. Thinking through likely scenarios in the job applied for and how you would act in them shows you have given real thought to the post you want.

Asking a friend or family member to role play along with you and offer feedback can be fun if you make it so and might stand you in good stead.

Westbridgfordguy said it; your choice.

System

Nathaniel_Essex wrote: »

I have multiple interviews, still working at my old company and you think I have the time to spend an entire day reading 50 pages?

One of my brothers did a law degree, the other did a business degree and both worked full time doing twilight shifts in a call centre to help pay their way through uni. If they can do a full time job and a degree then you can read 50 pages.

AstroTurtle

2 CV's. Both identical experience.


One Cant role play
One Can role play.


Decision made.

pmduk

Nathaniel_Essex wrote: »

still working at my old company and you think I have the time to spend an entire day reading 50 pages?

To me, it'd show you have no real interest in the job applied for.