Reed Interview Questions
& Process

After applying online, I was contacted by the recruitment team. The talent acquisition specialist I spoke with explained the role and I discussed my background. The interview scheduling was really well done, and the recruiter was very communicative via calls and emails, which was great. The interview process involved two separate sessions conducted over Teams. First, there was a competency-based assessment, and about a week later, a presentation. The competency part was challenging, but the interviewers were friendly and made me feel comfortable. I received a call almost immediately after the interview, on a Friday evening, from talent acquisition saying I was successful, which was very considerate. The next step was a presentation, and I got the invitation and scenario with ample notice. The scenario was demanding but not overly complex for an external candidate. This session was also on Teams, lasting about an hour, including my presentation and subsequent questions. The questions were tough, but I felt confident answering them. Sadly, I didn't get the job, but I was informed the day after the final stage by phone. The recruiter was very kind when delivering the news, which I appreciated. However, I haven't rated the experience highly due to the very limited feedback received afterwards – just a couple of sentences about the presentation's focus. Given the two-stage process and the effort involved in preparing the presentation (which took me about a day), I believe candidates deserve more in-depth feedback to know what to improve. This feedback is crucial for job seekers. Overall, it was a mixed experience. Kayleigh and Tak from talent acquisition were excellent and a real asset. A quick 15-minute email summarizing interviewer notes would have significantly improved the overall experience and made the preparation feel more valuable, regardless of the outcome.

The interview process for this graduate scheme is pretty long, with several steps: a SHL test, a Zoom chat, a phone roleplay, an interview with management, and then an in-person interview. Each part is about 30 minutes, so it moves pretty fast. The SHL test can seem tough, but it's not meant to be finished. It's more about seeing how you handle time pressure and approach questions. Don't worry if you don't finish it, that's normal. The first Zoom interview is pretty standard and really focuses on using the STAR method, so have plenty of examples ready from work, school, or other activities. It's also a good time to ask about job availability in your area. Even though roles are posted all over the UK, most seem to be in the South. I'm in the North East, and when I asked about that, the answer was unclear, which felt a bit unfair given how much effort the process takes. I got to the phone roleplay, which was quite hard. They expect you to act like you already have experience in the job. I did the scenario okay, but the feedback said I should have mentioned more about other programs available. I wasn't sure about bringing up sensitive stuff like mental health or family issues so early in the call, but it seems that's what they wanted. The roleplay also has tricky bits like objections ('Is this a sales call?', 'I can't afford travel,' 'How did you get my number?'), so prepare for those. It's a good opportunity with a decent starting salary, but the long, tough interview process, plus the pressure to act like you're already in the role, can be a bit discouraging. For a graduate scheme, it might make candidates feel less supported and more defeated, which isn't ideal for an entry-level program.

The interviewers were good at communicating, asking questions that were direct and clear about their intent. The interview vibe was neutral, not too stressful but not too relaxed either. The people interviewing seemed understanding and friendly. The number of questions asked was about average. It was a moderately challenging interview, not exhausting, but definitely not simple. A positive aspect was the absence of unusual or tricky questions.

I had a seamless interview experience and even though I was nervous, everyone made me feel friendly and at ease, which I really appreciated. The process was conducted well, and I was satisfied regardless of the offer outcome. Patricia Brady, Wendy Carpenter, and Maria Griffin were all wonderful and warm! REED are super lucky to have them :) First, I was contacted by their Talent Sourcing Consultant to see if I was interested in the role. Then, I had to complete a couple of online tests (no right or wrong answers). After that, I was scheduled for a Teams Interview where we discussed my CV. Finally, I had a Face to Face Interview at their office for more in-depth questions. The whole process took about 7 business days from the initial response to the job offer.