Job interview

[Blood Lust]

Hi people some advice please -

1. You see an account manager job being advertised and decide to apply for it.
2. The job spec is a-levels or better, good at maths, similar type of experience.
3. You have a degree, you're good at maths, you have account manager experience and meet the rest of the job-spec very well.
4. You get invited for tests allowing them to evaluate your abilities before they decide who to interview.

Test Day
1. You dont turn up suited as some but are still dressed in suitable clothing for an interview.
2. Theres another 7 there for the tests.
3. Everyone has to put their name on a piece of card but the manager doesnt interact with us other than to hand out two test papers out and collect them in.
4. I'm listening to test paper instructions and as shes looking around the room talking to everyone she makes eye contact with me. Her expression suddenly changes as if she hates me. (I looked a little tired as I didnt sleep well due to interview nerves but if that makes her feel tired its not a justification for a hate response towards me. I'm good looking which I think will be it if shes immature enough to hate good looking men).
5. For the maths questions there were far too many to complete them all. I know from watching the papers being collected that everyone was in the same boat. I completed quite a lot and I know I got them 100% right (GCSE level maths questions and I did each one twice).
6. For the English test I had to write about what I considered being organised to be, how I would prioritise my workload if I had 3 important jobs to do and how I would write an email if I've been over billed on my electricity.

Organisation -
1. Deciding what my objectives are.
2. Creating a plan to reach them.
3. Gathering up anything I would need to reach them.
4. Executing my plan.
5. Keeping a diary or notepad so I can strike off my objecives as they are met.

Prioritising -
1. Examine my KPIs and CSFs to see whats most important in my job.
2. Checking with my manager that I should prioritise in this instant based on my KPIs and CSFs.
3. If yes I go ahead and prioritise based on KPI's and CSFs. If not I follow the managers instrutions.
4. I then do each task from most important to least.
5. If I cant complete them in time I get help or inform my manager I wont be able to do them all.

(Looking back if she doesnt know what KPIs and CSFs are which she should do as a manager I could have gone wrong here).

Email -
1. Start and ending was correct email structure.
2. I read the information and made sure it all went into the email.
3. I did this to explain the problem and then I asked for someone to resolve it urgently for me.

7. Finally I had to do a cognition test. Two complicated questions, I got both right as I checked both very carefully.

So as a result of my test day I'm totally confused as to why I havent been selected for an interview. As far as I can tell its because she took an instant dislike for me or she doesnt understand what KPIs or CSFs are. Maybe I did too well?

Shall I ask for feedback and how I did on the test papers?

 

[businessfunding]

I would quite confidently say it isn't because

a) You are too good looking
b) you know too much.

Based on your previous employment related posts, I would suggest that attitude might be an issue.

At a practical level, in the current climate employers are looking for 'exact fit' rather than best potential so experience might well come into play.

 

[GraemeL]

Well, you asked for advice..... Without trying to be 'clever' or anything like that, this is meant in the best way. Your notes do read as though you think a lot of yourself and your performance. If that's how you were perceived - it's not good.

My own view about interviews, from lots of interviewing experience and sharing opinions, is that an interviewers mind is 80% made up in the seconds after seeing or meeting a person for the first time. Its normal behaviour to form perceptions immediately you meet someone; we have learned how do to it all of our lives. Takes about as long as you take to decide whether you like the looks of a young lady. Yes that quick. An interview then sets out to confirm or disprove that first opinion.

If I am right, then there is little advice that anyone can give you about your answers, because you didn't get that far.

So first impressions are critically important, It's not what you think that matters, it's what the interviewer thinks. You must approach it by working out what THEY are, literally, looking for. Piercings, tattoos, smoke smells, limp handshake, dirty or casual shoes......... Nope.

G

 

[Simon-M]

You didn't wear a suit yet you felt your clothing was appropriate. Rather than the look of hatred because of your film star looks (and she likes mingers), perhaps she was shocked that you showed up for an account managers job dressed in semi casual attire. Just because it was a test day, it does not mean you drop your appearance.

I don't suppose anyone can give you any meaningful advice because you have closed your mind to that already.

I honestly wish you well in your job hunting but rather than blame everyone else, look closer to home.

 

[Blood Lust]

1. Your notes do read as though you think a lot of yourself and your performance. If that's how you were perceived - it's not good.

2. My own view about interviews, from lots of interviewing experience and sharing opinions, is that an interviewers mind is 80% made up in the seconds after seeing or meeting a person for the first time. Its normal behaviour to form perceptions immediately you meet someone; we have learned how do to it all of our lives. Takes about as long as you take to decide whether you like the looks of a young lady. Yes that quick. An interview then sets out to confirm or disprove that first opinion.

If I am right, then there is little advice that anyone can give you about your answers, because you didn't get that far.

So first impressions are critically important, It's not what you think that matters, it's what the interviewer thinks. You must approach it by working out what THEY are, literally, looking for. Piercings, tattoos, smoke smells, limp handshake, dirty or casual shoes......... Nope.

G

1. The girl in no way interacted with me other than the eye contact. There was no oppourtunity for me to come across as full of myself or arrogant. My OP isnt about arrogance anyway if it sounds like that. I'm simply saying its not wrong answers for the maths (we are talking ABC questions below what you'd find on a GCSE paper).

2. Perceptions arent real they are perceptions. Even so I agree with you that people form immediate opinions. Even so if you have a manager trained to do recruitment and selection (she has had HR training as theres a job spec as well as those tests) then she knows not to base opinions on perceptions but facts.

3. I was clean and tidy. I wore a shirt, trousers, shoes and took my yuppy folder. I dont have peircings, tatoos or an incorrect haircut. I dont smoke, I didnt perve over her or others. There were no handshakes at all or verbal interactions between anybody except everyone sat there listening to her instructions.

I have HR training myself and know how recruitment and selection works. I know what a good interview is and what a bad one is although I didnt get that far. I know how they work, how they think and thats the source of my confusion. I didnt put a foot wrong.

 

[Blood Lust]

You didn't wear a suit yet you felt your clothing was appropriate. Rather than the look of hatred because of your film star looks (and she likes mingers), perhaps she was shocked that you showed up for an account managers job dressed in semi casual attire. Just because it was a test day, it does not mean you drop your appearance.

I don't suppose anyone can give you any meaningful advice because you have closed your mind to that already.

I honestly wish you well in your job hunting but rather than blame everyone else, look closer to home.

It wasnt semi-casual attire and my appearance was spotless.

Yes I know whenever someone says they're good looking theres an immediate negative response - They line up to knock you down as if you must be deluded or something.

I dont look like Brat Pitt I have high prominant Zygromatic bone structure which you'd expect off your sterotypical SS solider (no geman ancestory in me before you start).

Please read my OP and accept that as the reality not all the negativity you are coming out with. I wrote the truth not delusions.

 

[simon field]

You know how some people in life simply have a 'smug' look about them?

I'm not saying it can be helped, or even that you have that look about you.

It's a bit like when you see mugshots of criminals, have you noticed that a high proportion of them actually look dodgy, just because of the way their face hangs on their skull?

Maybe it's something like that that caused the instant dislike.

Why don't you write to her and ask?

 

[deniser]

If the maths was so easy, why did you do each question twice rather than complete twice the number of questions? Surely the way to approach this type of task is to do all of them and then go back to check them if you have time at the end? Maybe you never got as far as the difficult questions.

There is quite a lot missing from your answers on prioritising and organisation. I don't know what those abbreviations are either and I interview people for jobs. For the English test, I hope you used a few apostrophes as there aren't many in your post.

Maybe you just failed the test or someone else did better than you.

 

[shadesofblue]

I dont look like Brat Pitt I have high prominant Zygromatic bone structure which you'd expect off your sterotypical SS solider (no geman ancestory in me before you start).

Maybe she was Jewish and your Aryan features just scared the sh*t out of her.

 

[Blood Lust]

You know how some people in life simply have a 'smug' look about them?

I'm not saying it can be helped, or even that you have that look about you.

It's a bit like when you see mugshots of criminals, have you noticed that a high proportion of them actually look dodgy, just because of the way their face hangs on their skull?

Maybe it's something like that that caused the instant dislike.

Why don't you write to her and ask?

Thats exactly the problem.

The look I have about me either says nazi or scum.

Anyway I've sent the nicest possible email ever to her asking for feedback on any areas I did badly in.

 

[Christine Hough]

Is it possible you did well, and some others did better?

It only takes a few outperforming you for you not to get through to the next step.
You do not know what others put.
It may not have been your attitude at all. Confidence can be quite appealing.

They may have had in mind a perfect fit... almost certainly would have. It may not be the best for them but its what they think will work, and you did not fit it.

Hey you may have even over performed!

 

[simon field]

Thats exactly the problem.

The look I have about me either says nazi or scum.

Anyway I've sent the nicest possible email ever to her asking for feedback on any areas I did badly in.

Big up for not taking my post the wrong way sir

 

[Blood Lust]

If the maths was so easy, why did you do each question twice rather than complete twice the number of questions? Surely the way to approach this type of task is to do all of them and then go back to check them if you have time at the end? Maybe you never got as far as the difficult questions.

There is quite a lot missing from your answers on prioritising and organisation. I don't know what those abbreviations are either and I interview people for jobs. For the English test, I hope you used a few apostrophes as there aren't many in your post.

Maybe you just failed the test or someone else did better than you.

60 maths questions in 15 minutes is impossible to complete. You'd need to do maths questions everyday of your life to be able to whiz through that many that fast. From the stunned look on the others faces and seeing their papers as they were collected I now I did well. I got to about number 25. The jobs about maths accuracy so I did things properly and double checked.

Critical Success Factors (CSFs) - Each job has things about it which if performed well results in success for the business (CSFs) - Things like good customer services, answering all calls within a certain amount of rings, completing all files before they become 2 days old, team working, etc.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) - What you are assessed against to determine how successful your performance has been - Things like revenue or sales targets, expense targets, low mistakes, etc

So when prioritising the tasks CSFs and KPIs reveals how jobs should be priortised. Unless of course the manager wants something different doing.

 

[Blood Lust]

Maybe she was Jewish and your Aryan features just scared the sh*t out of her.

Quite possible although its normally the immigrants I get weird reactions out of.

 

[deniser]

Do let us know if you get some feedback. It will be interesting to know what they say.

And good luck in your job hunting.

 

[10032012]

Its always difficult: "Do I use jargon or not?" Saying KPI and CSF, isn't too much for the level of the role... its not over the top.

Some will advise you to never use jargon in the recruitment process and others will say use jargon to demonstrate your understanding.

You should have defined the phrases before using them as an absolute minimum. Blah blah Key Performance Indicators (KPI) blah blah. Blah blah blah KPI blah blah.

Its the same with the advice of saying "Not applicable" instead of "N/A" on application forms and never writing "as above" and write it all out again. They probably thought you were too lazy.

Think of scoring the 8 or so candidates... (the number could be much more) everyone saying pretty much the same nonsense in different ways. Never use short answers. You could have probably written a book without them validating anything you wrote. It doesn't matter if you are an usual employee, manager or CEO... the content of the tests will be extremely boring.

I cant advise as different businesses have different systems... I doubt anything you written (even if it was perfect) was taking into account. Its more likely an pressure exercise of seeing if you can spell etc. and to see if you could complete the task.

If someone asks what something means to you... never use a short perfect dictionary like answer. You must assume that the person reading is completely stupid and knows nothing. You must reiterate yourself. Perhaps use an example or real world scenario.

Considering that you weren't scoring your assessment I am not sure how you think you did everything correctly. Getting the second interview and obviously the job can be tricky. Getting pass the initial assessment stage should be quite simple... its more of the case whether someone will bother turning up and how they present themselves.

You failed it miserably. Of all the job interviews I have done, the person who got the job and the strongest candidates on paper, never excels significantly in any test.

Everyone knows the 10 second prejudice rule... why host a job interview to someone who you have already decided that you don't want to employ? These tests are normally to eliminate the unreliable (those who don't turn up), the poorly presented and down right liars before any references can be checked (i.e. those who lied on their CV. This is why the maths test was at GCSE like level.. its not to test whether you are a genius but whether you can handle the most basic minimum).

 

[Pap_sak]

My first reaction would be " do you remember her name?" I really want her to look over the next employee I employ....

Sort of kidding....

As other people have stated, you do come across as being a bit full of yourself and this can come across very easily in body language. In some jobs a bit of arrogance is great, infact to get a head in many jobs you often need a bit.

But for most interviews humble, capable and appreciative is kinda where you want to be.

Good luck

 

[toastking]

Hey there I think despite your thoughts that arrogance may still have been the problem unfortunately.

In anything sales if you make an appearance not suited and booted for any company that takes themselves seriously, then you may as well not have turned up.

I don't agree with it, but in interview situations not turning up in a suit is an instant reason not to employ you, you didn't matter and it was nothing to do with your rugged good looks although I did laugh when I read that so thanks for that haha! It was that you were arrogant enough to turn up without a suit and still think you would get the job.

I am rooting for you honestly but what were you thinking, did you not want the job? Surely dressing the part is vital when going for a job interview and the fact you didnt gave an instant, if wrong, impression that you had no idea what level the job was, didnt want the job, werent professional and werent giving the company the effort they wanted.

With others there, many would have done the same whether they would admit it or not. Some would have even told you to leave or made your position there untenable!

 

[Blood Lust]

Hey there I think despite your thoughts that arrogance may still have been the problem unfortunately.

In anything sales if you make an appearance not suited and booted for any company that takes themselves seriously, then you may as well not have turned up.

I don't agree with it, but in interview situations not turning up in a suit is an instant reason not to employ you, you didn't matter and it was nothing to do with your rugged good looks although I did laugh when I read that so thanks for that haha! It was that you were arrogant enough to turn up without a suit and still think you would get the job.

I am rooting for you honestly but what were you thinking, did you not want the job? Surely dressing the part is vital when going for a job interview and the fact you didnt gave an instant, if wrong, impression that you had no idea what level the job was, didnt want the job, werent professional and werent giving the company the effort they wanted.

With others there, many would have done the same whether they would admit it or not. Some would have even told you to leave or made your position there untenable!

The way I interview staff is -
1. Have they made an effort to find something out about the business?
2. Are they dressed for an interview?
3. Do they meet the job spec?
4. Why did they lose their last job?
5. Then have a look for lies on their CV and check their personality out.

I would expect someone in a shirt, trousers and shoes. If they turned up in a tracksuit (it has happened before believe it or not!) then its a no. While a tie and suit is good its only a nessescity in a professional public contact role. I wouldnt award any extra marks for a suit unless this is the case as its irrelvant to the job role.

I've never been at a selection test or interview where another candidate has told me to leave or tried to make me because I wasnt in a suit. I wouldnt tolerate it either. I have a good success rate at interviews and yes if its a professional public contact role I give them the full works.

My reading of the situation doesnt indicate to me its anything to do with not wearing a tie or suit. She didnt like me on a personal level for some reason.

Maybe she doesnt like men?
Maybe I look like someone thats treated her badly?
Maybe she doesnt like attractive men?

You never know what issues people have and I think thats the likely case. I understand you are trying to decide based on what I write so its a second hand opinion. Not to worry though.

 

[Pap_sak]

Errr, you writing it, so it's more a first hand opinion....

If someone else was writing about it, THAT would be a second hand opinion....

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

Hi people some advice please -

me.
me.
I'm good looking
I think
I know
I know
I got
I did
I had
I considered
I would
I had
I would
I've been
my objectives
I would
I can
my KPIs
my job
I should
my KPIs
I go
I follow
I then
I cant
I get
I wont
I could
I read
I did
I asked
I had
I got
I checked
my test
I havent
I can
I did
I ask
I did

Whilst a little unfair in places as some 'I's are necessary in any writing the amateur psychologist in me would suggest that you have a somewhat enhanced opinion of yourself as can be seen from the above edit of your opening post

 

[Pap_sak]

nail, head

 

[PrestonLad]

Thats exactly the problem.

The look I have about me either says nazi or scum.

Anyway I've sent the nicest possible email ever to her asking for feedback on any areas I did badly in.

Hmmm? Do you really think people have this opinion of you just because of the way you look? I see the user name you chose for yourself, and it does make me wonder if there isn't something deeper

Your personality exudes through your posts more than most people. I expect it exudes through your body language too. Maybe that didn't fit the profile that this particular employer was looking for.

There are also two other possible 'mistakes' you mention. One is the lack of suit. Again.. this may be ok in some companies, but a cardinal sin in others.

The other possible mistake was your decision to concentrate on accuracy rather than speed in the maths test. Clearly, they knew what they were doing when they set an impossible 60 questions in 15 minutes. Maybe they were looking for someone who could complete at least half the questions. Or maybe they were looking for someone who was prepared to rush through 45 of them, perhaps making a couple of mistakes (after all, accuracy is important... but no one wants an employee who works super accurately, but at the speed of a slug - except perhaps a nuclear science lab)

Maybe you were unlucky, maybe you just happened to be up against better candidates, or maybe you just didn't fit the profile they were looking for, but in my opinion (IMO), there are many explanations that are FAR more plausible than the one's you've identified as likely.

No need to change everything... but learn what you should, and keep applying. If you have the aptitude and personality traits that you have expressed, then you will come across a good match eventually.

 

[toastking]

I am now of the opinion this is a joke.

I don't think anybody is this deluded. I offered my thoughts and got the same old spout of rubbish.

It doesnt matter if you don't need a suit for the job! You need a suit for ye interview!

 

[webgeek]

Perhaps it's a hiring decision based on personality, as many companies are embracing?

It's all too common for companies to find someone with the minimum skills and maximum personality for the job as that will ensure corporate culture and customer service is at peak levels.

If you can't see that being an issue then how about the desire to go unchallenged?

A LOT of managers in larger companies do not want someone who will challenge them in any way shape or form. They want people who will excel at their 9-5, switch off at night and come back in the next day, with little or no aspirations to take on more, expect pay rises above inflation, etc.

Showing you're overqualified for the position, which can take many forms (education, experience, logic, assertiveness) is a great way to turn off a prospective big firm. Small, high growth companies would kill for a self-starter who could grow and excel at ever-increasing responsibilities, but not the heavy iron legacy firms from yesteryear.

 

[maxine]

Don't be too hard in yourself

It sounds as if the answers you have for the English were fine and you should probably have met the standard required for the maths.

The two key bits I pick up from you post are a) the suit and b) the hate response

If you felt the lack of suit was a mistake then it probably was. If you felt she didn't warm to you then she probably didn't

As for interview training I've known people do really well at assessments but get eliminated for interview because they shut the door in someone's face in the way into the building

Wait for the feedback as it may simply be that some other candidates were better matched on cv and their performance

Good luck anyway

 

[BeeDub]

60 maths questions in 15 minutes is impossible to complete. I got to about number 25.

Maybe, just maybe, you didn't meet their standards?

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

Is anybody else reading this and thinking "Im glad I dont have to apply for a job " !!!!!

If Im ever in doubt about weather there may be an easier life on the other side of the fence when a company pays you as a charity case or employment on the books or what ever its called. I just need to read the employment related threads on here and then I understand that running a business may not be easy but I am most defently unsuitable for employment
I think I was lost on the first sentence of this job interveiw list . I would be like a rabbit in the headlights at one of these interveiws and I hope others on here are brave enough to admit this as well !!!

Do people still ask that daft question about the glass being half full ?

I bet some of you guys have got some proper cheesy lines you drop in interveiws

 

[businessfunding]

Is anybody else reading this and thinking "Im glad I dont have to apply for a job " !!!!!

I'm certainly glad. I'm so devastatingly handsome they would probably try to kill me

 

[John_]

Went to a job interview a while a go for a technical IT job. Did very well at the tests prior to getting the interview - they said I got top score, but as I walk into the interview I had a feeling straight way that they don't like me. The interview ended - 'technically you are very good but I don't think you are what we r looking for, technically we can train some one through training courses but we can't change someone for who he is, thank you for your time'. Harsh, but just one of those things, if you don't fit in you don't. This was Barclays Bank!

 

[BusinessDeli]

I'd love to see any feedback you get...

You didn't get it, move on as you achieve nothing from dwelling over their decision. As mentioned, the company were looking for specific things in their candidates - criteria you failed to meet. It happens. The next time you may blow them all out of the water, who knows?

If it helps, you can always just think of her as a pent-up lesbian who hates men, can't mark maths for **** and knows nothing of TLA's (three letter abbreviations to the unitiated).

 

[businessfunding]

Went to a job interview a while a go for a technical IT job. Did very well at the tests prior to getting the interview - they said I got top score, but as I walk into the interview I had a feeling straight way that they don't like me. The interview ended - 'technically you are very good but I don't think you are what we r looking for, technically we can train some one through training courses but we can't change someone for who he is, thank you for your time'. Harsh, but just one of those things, if you don't fit in you don't. This was Barclays Bank!

In certain large organisations there is often a separate agenda - namely % fit for existing employees. In one (former nationalised) organisation the internal standard is 40% fit; which means if you were 100% and an internal applicant was 40%, they would get the job.

 

[ThePublisher]

Maybe you remind her of her ex....

Maybe it was the way you were sat in your chair or some other aspect of body language.

Sometimes we just take an instant dislike to somebody. It may not be fair, but then the world isn't.

 

[Christine Hough]

And maybe it was nothing to do with her perception of you at all.

Perhaps you did really well.

Perhaps a few did better and got called for interview.

Don't think because you did not get the job you were wrong. Sometimes everyone who applies would be well able to do the job, but there is only one vacancy.

Really wish you all the best, but don't rely on your looks to get a job ; )
You do have a lot going for you, and it is a knock to be rejected, but you still are everything you were before, and have the abilities you had before.
Best wishes.

 

[Root 66 Woodshop]

The way I interview staff is -
1. Have they made an effort to find something out about the business?
2. Are they dressed for an interview?
3. Do they meet the job spec?
4. Why did they lose their last job?
5. Then have a look for lies on their CV and check their personality out.

I would expect someone in a shirt, trousers and shoes. If they turned up in a tracksuit (it has happened before believe it or not!) then its a no. While a tie and suit is good its only a nessescity in a professional public contact role. I wouldnt award any extra marks for a suit unless this is the case as its irrelvant to the job role.

I've never been at a selection test or interview where another candidate has told me to leave or tried to make me because I wasnt in a suit. I wouldnt tolerate it either. I have a good success rate at interviews and yes if its a professional public contact role I give them the full works.

My reading of the situation doesnt indicate to me its anything to do with not wearing a tie or suit. She didnt like me on a personal level for some reason.

Maybe she doesnt like men?
Maybe I look like someone thats treated her badly?
Maybe she doesnt like attractive men?

You never know what issues people have and I think thats the likely case. I understand you are trying to decide based on what I write so its a second hand opinion. Not to worry though.

Perhaps you're reading into it all wrong.

For starters, you wasn't the one conducting this particular interview... just because you would accept what you wore, doesn't mean that any other company would.

The woman in particular, what was her role exactly within the company? - Are you sure she was just there to recruit, and was not a Director, or high up within the company?

If you think she was being discriminative because of your looks, you should contest it, however I don't think it had anything to do with that personally.

What you consider to be attractive would also be completely different to what other people think, besides you're not there for a date you're there for an interview.

After reading all of your my my, me me, I I's... I'd have to say personally... I wouldn't employ you either, your more concerned about how you look and whether women find you attractive or not.

The last chap I met who was all about himself and considered himself to be attractive to women was actually Gay. Perhaps you could let her know this by coming out, perhaps she may not feel as intimidated as you considered her to be.

 

[Blood Lust]

Perhaps you're reading into it all wrong.

For starters, you wasn't the one conducting this particular interview... just because you would accept what you wore, doesn't mean that any other company would.

The woman in particular, what was her role exactly within the company? - Are you sure she was just there to recruit, and was not a Director, or high up within the company?

If you think she was being discriminative because of your looks, you should contest it, however I don't think it had anything to do with that personally.

What you consider to be attractive would also be completely different to what other people think, besides you're not there for a date you're there for an interview.

After reading all of your my my, me me, I I's... I'd have to say personally... I wouldn't employ you either, your more concerned about how you look and whether women find you attractive or not.

The last chap I met who was all about himself and considered himself to be attractive to women was actually Gay. Perhaps you could let her know this by coming out, perhaps she may not feel as intimidated as you considered her to be.

Grrr, I'm hetrosexual and by attractive I dont mean feminate.

Okay everyone I have my feedback email from her -
I did very well on the written tests (CSFs and KPIs!)
I did very well on the cognition tests
While I got 100% right on my maths test because the job is so maths intensive they like people to have answered more of the questions in the time available.

Haha! I will reapply next time and not double check unless I have time at the end to go back over them. Seems like she is professional so my bad.

 

[Jacob F]

I've done these maths tests despite acing papers on Quantum Mechanics and people have done better than me, qualifications or your scope of understanding essentially mean nothing. They're designed to test natural ability, you could be beaten by somebody who has not picked up a maths book since they were 14, the questions are comparatively easy and they test how you cope under pressure.

Despite my maths and science background, I've pretty much scored in the top 10% for every verbal/written tests I've done, I'd beat most English graduates hands down. So you can never judge your competition, they'll be some very bright people there as well as yourself. To walk out casting the aspertions you've done is disrespectful to the other candidates IMO, candidates you know nothing about.

 

[WJP]

OP, I think the only possible explanation from what you've said throughout this thread is that you are clearly the perfect person for the job, and those responsible for recruitment at the company in question are idiots.

 

[Steve2507]

60 maths questions in 15 minutes is impossible to complete.

Depending on the level of complexity then it is fairly easy to more than 25. Sorry but I think you are not as good as you think you are and so someone else was probably better.

 

[Blood Lust]

I've done these maths tests despite acing papers on Quantum Mechanics and people have done better than me, qualifications or your scope of understanding essentially mean nothing. They're designed to test natural ability, you could be beaten by somebody who has not picked up a maths book since they were 14, the questions are comparatively easy and they test how you cope under pressure.

Despite my maths and science background, I've pretty much scored in the top 10% for every verbal/written tests I've done, I'd beat most English graduates hands down. So you can never judge your competition, they'll be some very bright people there as well as yourself. To walk out casting the aspertions you've done is disrespectful to the other candidates IMO, candidates you know nothing about.

Same here

While I'm confident I can get most maths questions right (even complicated algebra) it isnt a case of look at the question and boom I've got the answer straight away. I have to read, understand, then calculate.

I think those who did will would be used to doing those maths questions as part of their jobs to its an instant answer for them.

Its like a speed, distant, time question. Its going to take me 30secs to get my head around it before I do the calcultion.