Violeta Stomenova | Electronic+ | Getty Images
Would you feel better prepared for a job interview if you knew what questions you would be asked?
John Lewis, a British retail giant with a history of 160 years and 80,000 employees, revealed Interview questions for job seekers Posted on their website in advance to make the recruitment process fairer. The new development is suitable for all roles, from grocery store assistant to company manager.
Questions ranged from “Tell me about a time in an entry-level role where you had to learn a new task or process quickly,” to “When have you successfully influenced a person or team to agree with your point of view, despite their initial opinion?” ”. Resistance in managerial roles”.
Lorna Bullett, director of talent acquisition at John Lewis Partnerships, told CNBC Make It via email: “Interviewing can be daunting and for some people, especially those who are neurodiverse, nerves can seriously impact performance.”
This will provide candidates with the opportunity to prepare and “confidently demonstrate what they can do,” Bullett explained.
Khyati Sundaram, CEO of recruitment platform Applied, told CNBC Make It that people are divided on whether this development is beneficial because there is no standardized interview process.
Sundaram said her first instinct when she heard the news was positive because it increases exposure to “people from different walks of life.”
But she warns that revealing job interview questions in advance is not a “magic bullet” and there are caveats.
Candidates can use ChatGPT
In fact, some Gen Zers are using ChatGPT to generate cover letters, career coach Shoshana Davis previously told CNBC Make It. Davis stressed that employers told her they “received hundreds of identical, word-for-word identical cover letters.”
Sundaram warned that there is always a “risk” that a candidate might submit interview questions to ChatGPT and then simply recite any answers it gives.
John Lewis says on its website that these questions are only a guide to the questions that may be asked and there may be others.
Bullett acknowledged concerns about AI-generated responses and said the interview process remained “rigorous” and “candidates can expect follow-up questions based on their initial answers”.
“By asking probing follow-up questions and technical questions that arise from the answers, interviewers can quickly learn whether their answers are truthful and based on real experience,” she adds.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t use ChatGPT at all, says LinkedIn career expert Charlotte Davies.
“Generative AI is a really useful tool for job seekers to use as a starting point for their preparation,” Davis told CNBC Make It.
“It is designed to provide interviewees with a solid first draft for them to review and produce their own during the interview process, which is a critical step in assessing candidates and assessing their skills and experience.”
it makes the process fairer
Bullett said that by disclosing interview questions, companies can attract candidates from a variety of backgrounds.
“Anyone who has ever recruited will know that sometimes there are candidates who are able to perform to a high standard for a position but don’t always put their best foot forward during the interview,” Bullet said.
Davis noted that in addition to neurodiverse candidates, it will support Gen Z and younger people who lack interview experience and soft skills like communication.
“Transparent interviewing may be particularly beneficial to Gen Z candidates and young professionals applying for their first job, who may lack confidence during the interview process,” she said.
About The Author
