A shambles. Initially the communication from their HR team was intermittent and not consistant. The external job advert had a different title and spec to the one on the website and banged on about attracting talent from the commercial world to help them on some sort of "2020 plan" (very PR!). The actual interview was a farce. Two guys, one from the commercial world that had a look of "I made a grave mistake" about him, the other who couldn't have been more "grey" if he tried. The exercise (to review a 100+ page contract, plus appendices and pull out commercial aspects as well as highlight things that were missing) was 30 minutes - you couldn't even skim the thing in 30 minutes!) I was supposed to use a flipchart (they didn't have one) and gave me some A4 paper instead. For a presentation! If that wasn't farcical enough, the competency-based interview was based on OJEU procurement - if they had read my CV, they would have realised I have no OJEU experience. So the questions were irrelevant. When I asked about this "2020" programme, one of the interviewers said that this role was nothing to do with it (I'm not kidding). When it came to me asking questions, the "grey" man told me he had to go as he had another meeting. They learnt nothing about me and it was a waste of time. I'm not sure if it was more "Carry On" or "Monty Python". Finally, I thought I'd get feedback (they sent me the name of the person that would give it. I've chased him three times now. Completely amateurish. Sums it up. If they wish to attract talent from the commercial world, they need to develop a commercial recruitment plan. A shambles. Avoid.

It was a panel Interview which included 3-4 senior managers. The questions were 70% general and 30% technical / commercial. The interview panel made me feel comfortable throughout the whole process.