SENIOR EXECS GET AN EASIER RIDE WITH INTERVIEWS, TESTS AND BACKGROUND CHECKS
Applying for graduate jobs? You’ll probably have to jump through more hoops than the boss of the company did to get his or her job as CEO.
A new report has found that graduates go through more interviews, tests and background checks than company bosses. CEOs are less scrutinised than graduates as it is assumed leaders do not lie.
Researchers at due diligence company HireRight found that almost half of HR leaders (45%) know organisations where Chief Executives go through fewer interviews, tests and background checks than graduates. A third (37%) admit this is the case in their own company. One in three CEOs (31%) do not undergo any form of due diligence during their appointment.
HireRight’s research reveals that half (49%) admit they simply assume candidates applying for senior positions have not lied on their CV or application, with connections winning half (49%) of all high level positions in UK organisations. Steve Girdler, managing director EMEA at HireRight, said it was shocking that graduates faced tougher tests than CEOs, given the difference in responsibility and sal:
“Leaders are no longer figureheads only at carefully orchestrated press conferences. An entire organisation’s reputation can be damaged with a mobile phone image or an inaccurate CV, followed by the click of a mouse.
“Yet companies are putting the reputation and success of their entire business at risk by not carrying out suitable levels of due diligence on their board members — who clearly pose a significantly greater threat than graduates.”
Many of Graduate Fog’s readers say you feel the application and interview processes for graduate job is far too long, often involving more than one application form, an assessment centre day, online tests or tasks, plus multiple interviews either on the phone or in person. So it will be galling to hear that the bosses of the companies you’re applying for may only have been through a fraction of this procedure in order to gain their fat salary and position as the company’s Top Dog.
(PS. Top marks to RBS, who tell us their application form takes less than an hour to complete! Don’t you wish more employers were as considerate?)
*ARE GRADUATE JOB APPLICATIONS TOO DEMANDING?
How long do you spend on every job application – and do HR departments ask for too much? What’s your reaction to the news that graduates face tougher tests than CEOs when applying for jobs?
Personally, I have gone through this process myself. I sometimes wonder if it is even worth it? Why spend 4 years or more and pay 50-100k to get a bachelor degree and then be told you need to have 3 interviews, sit 5 tests online and have background checks to get a job and its not well paying job after all that?
What’s funny is the job really (and I am being DEADLY SERIOUS) could have been done by a high school student. Because the math involved in this position is no more then basic arithmetic.
The myth that with a college education you will be able to get a good paying job is being laid to rest. The social contract that, if you work hard, play by the rules and graduate college, there will be a job waiting for you is just a myth.
The labour market has become so dysfunctional that you will soon need a Phd in order to work at McDonalds + 10 online pre-employment tests before you can dip the fries.
This really sucks because I know what the problem is and there is nothing I can do about it. My parents do not even have a high school education and when I tell them this, they are like what? or it is too much for their brain to handle? WTF?
We are overeducated and are tremendously underemployed. Basically, watching my generation dreams get completely crushed into the black abyss.
If my parents were in there 20s today, they will be as good as dead. It is a hunt and only the ass-kissing, backstabbing, corrupt people survive.
@ so true. Senior execs find work on the basis of who they know. Mediocrity prevails. University is the biggest con ever.
I am going to be honest with you guys. When I graduated university I was so full of life, crazy ideas, endless energy, and hope.
Life has completely beat the life out of me.I am forced to slave for survival tokens in order to maintain my existence. I am just a mindless robot at the disposal of a corporation. Once they are done milking me dry and I get old, they will toss me in the bin and exploit the next generation.
We have a system where it loads young hard working people with mortgage size debts to get an education and if they find a job. The government taxes the shit out of them.
Is life just one long shitty ride to the grave?
I would be lying if I said I hadn’t thought of just ending it all together, however i lack the courage to do such an act.
Everyday, I have to look deep down and say to myself.
What happen to me?
Well done Life you won, clearly I loss…
@ Chris I was exactly in that situation in 1999, a 2.1 from a mid-range university, an MA from a Russell Group institution starting on £10.5K in Bristol. On the same par with 2 school leavers with one or two GCSEs. That was a shock! Plus, having, at the same time, to pay back a loan for my master’s degree. Became totally disilusionned with the world of work. Impossibility to get on the housing ladder, ended up sharing a flat. Today,still renting at 41. Politicians have no idea what it’s like out there. Most blame it on immigrants which is scandalous as most take what remains in the job market at exploitative rates. Capitalism is driving wages down, always will. Previously, companies somewhat cared about qualified labour. Today, it’s irrelevant as long as you are cheap, dead cheap with basic education. I should have emmigrated a long time ago.
I am 26 years old and I am honestly confused and scared shitless about my future. This system is actually affecting and screwing with my mind. My Life is just one big emotional rollercoaster ride at the moment.
My twin brother is actually worried about my mental state. Many people do not know how bad this system is f**king them over royally. I mean the banks are financially rapping the youth and have rigged the system where you are forced to go to college and take on large amount of debt or else work at McDonalds for the rest your life.
I know in the US students cannot declare bankruptcy on their student loans and they will garnish your social security check if you do not pay them. In addition, if you die the loan passes over to your kids. WTF???
This is really a sick testament this society has become and what government has done to our youth.
I am doing the mathematical calculations and coming to the sad dark conclusion that my generation is completely screwed. No house, No Car, No kids, No retirement.
The next 40 years of My life is going to be great! I have worked out it is better for me to stay on JSA then to actually work.
I mean why work? I can’t get a job that actually uses my education? I can’t buy a home? I can’t afford to have kids? I can’t get a job that actually pays me enough to save for my retirement?
What do I do??? honestly WHAT CAN I DO?? Dam if you do and dam you don’t…
I’m in the same situation Chris. In fact I’m 26 and still in university. I don’t worry anymore to be honest, or maybe I’m just naive. If I can’t get a graduate job with my physics degree I will just do a postgrad in occupational therapy / social work. I worked in a hospital before I started my degree so I have the experience and meet the entry requirements. People will always need healthcare. I could do a postgrad in medical physics, but I imagine it would be very tedious.
Right now student debt doesn’t concern me. Yes I will owe around £30,000, but the repayments start at around £22,000 (£7.50 a month). My only concern is if the government lower the threshold, but I can’t imagine that will ever happen.
@Sam. Google ” Dr Philip Elliott”, 31, who had recently completed a PhD in physics. He could only find a job in a call center.
I guess call centers really need people to do differential equations to calculate the change of gravity while picking up the phone.
I always use this guy as an example of how the baby boomers has completely destroyed this economy and allowed this situation to happen. This economy eats it young and tosses them into world
You should stay in university and get your Phd. There is no point of even trying to get a job in the real world.
The real world only want people who are just smart enough to do the paper work but just dumb enough to accept the shitty work conditions, lower pay, overtime, and a pension that disappears as soon as you go to collect it.
I wonder what the future is going to look like for Gen Y? When the college bubble bursts, the reality of a great depression is going to set in.
I had an interview with a public relations firm today. I felt the interview went well but I’ve said that before. Don’t get me wrong there is dignity in stacking tins of beans on the shelves of Asda and the like but I really miss using my brain and a chance to get back into something resembling graduate level employment would mean a lot to me.
Unemployment is under 2m now if we are to believe the government. There is only so long that I feel excuses about the recession can hold water. Hopefully this is the one.
Chris said..
“The labour market has become so dysfunctional that you will soon need a Phd in order to work at McDonalds + 10 online pre-employment tests before you can dip the fries.”
“We are overeducated and are tremendously underemployed. Basically, watching my generation dreams get completely crushed into the black abyss.”
“I mean why work? I can’t get a job that actually uses my education? I can’t buy a home? I can’t afford to have kids? I can’t get a job that actually pays me enough to save for my retirement?”
—
I couldn’t agree more with all of these comments. It’s the same for everyone, now. I had another contract end and all I saw was a see of forms asking me to prove myself – above and beyond – for a job that barely lasted another year. Breaking your back on all those 7 page job apps that suck the life out of you; only to be told what your shortcomings are. I stopped caring frankly, the rollercoaster of hope and then despair; I couldn’t handle it. I figure, in life you need to be able to count on a couple of things. Home, job and if you’re lucky love; at least one of those should be a constant, to keep you afloat and anchored to your hope.
But there is no hope anymore. The greedy capitalists fuelling our debt-based economy have destroyed that. Now we must be content with just getting-by. Bowing and scraping to our masters, landlords, bosses – they might pull the rug at any time. Just be grateful damn it, or…. they’ll hire the next guy.
I considered taking my own life aswell. This world just seems to keep getting darker. And it’s getting ever harder to see the light.
@Fedup. I hear that Heaven is after this existence on earth. May be up there, God will be able to give us a job that actually uses our talents and abilities?
The deity (living being of light) which the NDEs and some scientists talk about. Even scientists are now reviewing the brain creates consciousness model.
Google Dr Eben Alexander, Dr Jill bolt, Machio Kaku (Cosmic Consciousness, Sir Roger Penrose (Stephan Hawking thesis advisor – Quantum soul hypothesis)and Dr Staurt hameoff.
Of course some physicists believe the universe was created by nothing? (I never knew abstract mathematical equations created anything? They only describe patterns of nature).
Now that being said. My point is I hope there meaning to our existence, despite our unuse talent and potential.
I hear this living being of light loves all his children and according to the bible, book of mormon and the Quran.
It is not the will of god that any of children should perish…He loves all his children and he will save each and everyone of us from this world.
We will reign with him for all eternity. In a place where is no time, no pain, no suffering, and no tears has all these former things have washed away.
I really hope to God this is true. In other words, hang in there and endure to the end, and know there is way better life after this one.
Human words cannot even describe it. Thanks
Hi there, can the person who commented as ‘Your Boss’ at around 8.30pm last night please get in touch? I have a quick question!
Just drop me a message via this form, thanks! http://bit.ly/duLICY
Tanya
@Nicolas, are you receiving my emails? If not, please check your spam!
I am sick of being made to jump through hoops for everything. A simple temp application required me to sit an English level 2 test – are you kidding me? This is an utter insult.
Some graduate schemes (most) require so much hoop jumping that I almost question whether it is worth it. Apply online -> online test -> phone coversation -> assessment centre tests (against other candidates) -> face to face interview. That is numerous steps before I even get to speak to someone about the position. Apparently the fun doesn’t stop there as many are tested when they start their career as well.
This has to stop.
I’m thinking of writing to parliment about this. We are the most tested generation in history. It is getting us nowhere fast, causes huge stress and makes for a lengthy process. It just has to stop. I am sick of this and it’s another reason why I want to jump ship. I did everything that was asked of me and got perfect marks yet I am still STILL being made to jump through hoops and sit tests that I could pass as an 11 year old.
I just want to point out something from my application and failure experience. The following graduate schemes can take the following:
Aldi – up to 4 months to complete tests, creation of an online video, more tests, phone interview, assessment centre, one to one interview.
Civil Service: 5 months same process minus the video stage of Aldi but add in “intray exercises”
FCA: 6 months+, similar process plus a “candidate pool” if anyone drops out you can be retested in July for a September start.
Treasury scheme: 5 months+ same sort of process.
Some of the largest companies continually make candidates sit exams throughout their placements, I know of one company that loses a third of its intake annually due to testing failures.
If we can vet, vote on, approve and have a new Prime Minister in place over the course of 10 weeks why on earth does it need to take so long and be so gruelling? If as is the case with the company that loses a third of its intake and then starts the process over again it can not be a cost effective method of staffing. I get a lot of anger from older people regarding my situation that have never had to deal with these issues. If you’ve got a candidate with a decent degree from a Russell Group university with a string of A’s behind them have they not proven they can do these things? If you need a job now to keep a roof over your head and food on the table what are you suppose to do? I am increasingly convinced that these things are a desperate attempt to prove they are meritocratic companies when in fact it benefits those that can afford to go through the process, it is beyond a joke.
Meanwhile we have companies bemoaning the fact schools and universities don’t equip people with the skills to just slot into their companies. Well all I can say to that is well done Sherlock, you are suppose to train them, we can’t have an education system teaching kids at 6 years of age to slot into your company 15 years from now. It makes me so angry that so much talent is locked out yet we have graduate employers constantly moaning. You know that guy that has been repeatedly trying for 2 or 3 years to get you to give him a chance who is working double shifts in McDonald’s to keep himself off the street? There is the employee you need not your co-worker’s best mate’s son who some how managed to by pass the process altogether and has risen suspiciously fast through the company.
Rant over.
The supposed importance of the Russell Group university is overrated, as you can see from this forum. Experience in the field is more important in terms of jobs. Heck. Many non-RG universities do a better job at getting students into employment (Surrey in particular). Most employers don’t know what the RG is.
I agree, the sheer amount of hoop jumping is both depressing and unnecessary. Being the cynical sort of chap I am I’m inclined to believe it may be a ‘wealth filter’. Those that can afford to jump through the most hoops tend to be from the wealthiest backgrounds. Everyone else can’t afford to remain non-remunerated for long.
There are even employers leaving ads active for years. These are like dredging and throwing the dead fish back in the water. I once went to what I’d been told was an interview, but what was in actual fact an aptitude test. Needless to say I didn’t get enough marks to make it to the next round, but I don’t think anyone else did either as the ad is still burning it’s merry way on the net. No regard for misleading people, wasting their money to get to places. People being treated as resources to be harvested and disgarded as required. Is this the successful and competitive economy voting remain is supppsed to preserve?
There is a power imbalance between the employer and job seeker that means the employer can make you jump through hoops if they wish particularly in a poor job market. Now my job search is over I look back at applications that demanded I write 500 word essays alongside cover letters and numerous forms. Graduate schemes at demanded I film interview answers on a tablet. Hours invested in a process for no reward. Did it show a lack of self-respect doing everything asked as though my time simply wasn’t valuable?
Now I have a job I don’t face the stigma of being unemployed when job searching. The power dynamics of a job interview have now changed subtlety. If an interviewer disrespects me I can simply get up, thank them for their time and walk out. When I was unemployed doing this would risk a benefit sanction.
I know how everyone feels. I can barely get out of bed today, but I don’t have a reason to anyway.
Sick of applying for jobs that can’t even be bothered to send out rejection emails. There’s zero jobs locally unless one happens to be an engineer. Not getting interviews for jobs in London, as my mum pointed out, because I don’t already have a London address.
Can’t afford to move as no job, too much debt.
Argh, stupid autofill.
@Tanya, is there anyway my surname can be edited out of my last post?
Looking back I realise that I haven’t made good use of my time. I should have been looking into careers at an earlier stage but I was never clear on what I wanted. Do other people just compromise?
I went to Wimbledon last Friday (mainly to get away from Manchester) and two lads in the queue were talking about their internships.
It made me think how I am going to measure up to other applicants who have made better use of their time.
My parents are seriously pushing the PGCE / masters route for September.
You can only change the future Rich. I spent far too much time ruminating on the mistakes I’d made rather than thinking about the future.
I start a job Monday. It is a job that a school leaver could do. Certainly not graduate level employment. That said my weekly income has gone from £73.10 JSA to £320 take home pay. Frankly that is life changing. I plan to take a trip to discount clothing retailer Matalan to purchase clothing. £300 goes quite a way in there.
Things are not perfect by any means but now I have a job I am in a stronger position to get another. My biggest barrier to employment was being unemployed. Many hiring managers just could not see past that. In fact many saw it as a chance to disrespect me.
I live in Home Counties suburbia and the graduate level jobs are all in London. There is still a sense that I am not quite where I should be. I was also at Wimbledon last week and on the train whenever I see young professionals there is still a sense that “that should be me”.
That said I feel so lucky to have a job. I feel so much for confident in social situations now. I don’t have to worry about people asking “What is it you do?”.
“Top marks to RBS, who tell us their application form takes less than an hour to complete!”
Seriously? I actually applied to RBS and sure, while their application form takes less than an hour to complete (not including the time you spent writing your cover letter and resume of course), you will then be subjected to various psychometric tests, then be asked to download an app to play some IQ game (WTF?!) and then a timed numeracy test. If you pass those you will have to do a Video Interview (not even a personal one) and only THEN will you be invited to their Assessment Centre, where you will be subjected to even more hoops in the form of group exercises, interviews with managers, a presentation to managers.
By no means does RBS deserve the mention that they get in this article.
You have been warned.
Francisco is right. Do not waste your precious time on graduate applications.