Anyone would think that Mr Jones has too much time on his hands. Following on from his critique of the BBC and his observations on how the media treated Ms Mills is this scrutiny of recruitment processes currently being used in the UK. And, if we’re honest, he doesn’t seem overly impressed.

I was once again perusing the newspapers yesterday; currently their story of choice is the suspicion that many people in England who could work are choosing not to. Now if, like me, you are wondering how people can live without an income, it seems that many of these non-workers are claiming sickness benefits.

If you read the English papers often enough, you will also know that the benefit system has come under scrutiny of late when it was revealed that some people are claiming they cannot work due to acne. While this news worries me, as does the rise in the number of what is known as NEETS (not in education, employment or training), I cannot help wondering if the reason could also be partly down to recruitment techniques in England. This may be hard for some people to believe, but I will try to convince you through some past and present experiences.

In May of this year I was unfortunate enough to receive redundancy. The office where I was working was closed down as part of a restructure. I was happy with my severance pay and had no bad feelings towards the company I was leaving, as I enjoyed my time there.

I must say the thought of a change in my working life was quite exciting. I immediately began to look at vacancies and sent out application after application. I have had a few interviews and am pleased to say I will start employment in the coming week. However, I have also been shocked at the conduct of some companies who have interviewed me and I include two quick summaries. The names have been changed to protect both the innocent and the guilty.

Interview One:

I arrive promptly at the time given. I am kept waiting for 15 minutes, no explanation is made as to why my interview has not started at the time given. I am also dismayed to hear two members of the reception staff moan that they only knew about the interviews ten minutes ago. Eventually I am led through to an interview panel of two people. The interview begins by the panel addressing me by a different name and I have to explain my correct name twice before they catch on. A member of the panel tells me that they had my name as ‘Jim’. I apologise and explain my name is Mark (it has been since birth). I also note that in front of each interviewer is a copy of my application form, and even though I read it upside down: it clearly states my name as Mark Jones. I wonder if anyone has bothered to read the application. The formality of any regular interview begins “This is Susan, you will be working for her and myself, my name is Tim.” I am then asked to explain to the panel what their company does. I have always wondered what the point of this question is, but I give a detailed answer and smile. I am then asked a series of questions which ask me to give examples of A)When I have felt most stressed B) When I have felt most under pressure and C) Can I give examples of when I have found my work to be difficult and on and on. The questions were so downbeat I felt like I was going through psychoanalysis. By the end of the questions I feel so drained I am desperate to see that the panel has a sense of humour. Susan proceeds to draw my attention to the job description; she feels I do not understand what they are asking for. I find this odd as I have memorised the job description and none of the questions I have been asked seem to relate to it. It also seems that the NHS have paid for ‘Susan’ to have a sense of humour bypass. In addition she has a good cop/bad cop personality, and no answer I give seems to be right. At one point I expect Gene Hackman to storm into the interview room and ask me if I pick my feet in Poughkeepsie. The time eventually comes to leave and I stagger out of the interview feeling like I have blown it even though I answered all the questions in detail and passed all the tests.

Interview Two:

I arrive at the interview location and take a seat. Across the room from me I overhear members of HR studying someone’s GCSE certificates. They are quite scathing about the person’s results and I am amazed that this is done in front of other applicants. I am led through to the panel. This time there are three people. Once again the questions are of a very downbeat and negative tone. In both of these interviews I get the feeling I would not enjoy working for these companies. My last employer was easy going and there was also a light atmosphere in their offices. One of the panel seems particularly narked about something. I try to ignore it and keep on answering the questions with a smile. Once again I leave the interview feeling like I have been on the set of the exorcist.

In neither interview was I offered a coffee or asked to tell the panel about myself or my activities outside of a working environment. Everything was overformal.

At the end of the day I received no feedback, no letter to tell me if I got the job (one must only assume these days) and none of my references were taken up (I could provide three excellent ones when needed). Academically I had enough paper to pass: one BSc degree and one Masters degree. In the last four years I have had only six days of absence due to a vicious bout of the flu.

Now, of course, no one can or should be expected to be given a job. But the bizarre structure of English recruitment surely needs looking at. I know of countless people who are excellent friends and employees and I am amazed that they have either been rejected for good jobs or have given up and taken up a position they do not like or is not what they are looking for. They are also surprised at who has been selected to manage them and have found that they do their own work and that of their manager. How were these people chosen for the job?

As a country we must ask how our expert recruitment system has elected the worst style of management England has seen in decades. Our post office system is ruined and falling apart, one of England’s biggest banks is close to collapse; our NHS is ineffective despite the billions the Labour government continues to pour into it. In all these examples the Chief execs and head management are due to receive millions of pounds in bonuses regardless of the fact they have ruined the companies they were recruited to protect. All of this is happening while other workers are being given their marching orders. Is it me, or do you also wonder how recruitment in England works-please let me know.

Mark Jones

Contact me through www.earlyworksarchive.com

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