Tracym,
for the one and only interview (that was consisted of two parts , btw, more like two inerviews for the same company) that my hubby had so very early on upon his arrival to the States, he did go back and asked why he was not hired (what was wrong with him kind of question) and that particular company said that they would not reveal such an information. So go figure!

NHS, I doubt it...there's been people here that haven't been able to get that to stick, and a baby is a pre-existing medical condition and won't be covered by a lot of policies.

Again depends upon the field. At least when I was in IT, and with consultants, very little of that applied.

Of course, I'd have loved to have had honest references tell me all about the person good and bad. I just don't think it generally happens. So we'd try to get our best impression of the person ourselves for their personality, and quiz them tecnhically. And then hope for the best.

By the way, the best summation I've heard of interview technique was (answering a question):

Yes I have, and .....
No I haven't, but I have done..

Getting off topic, maybe I'll (shudder) awake the other thread, but I thought I read in the law about portability that the NHS was specifically mentioned. I'll could be wrong and will look, but I'll put it over there.

Edit: sorry, for anyone else interested, the health care thread in the Trailor Park.

A two part interview is not uncommon at all. The first screens out people they aren't interested in, and second/subsequent interviews selects the final candidate.

So they were at least interested in him, perhaps just chose someone else.

What did the fancy (and expensive!) consultant have to say?

Perhaps we should rename this thread "Job Interview Process in the US and UK"

I've had interviews in both, and been on the other side of the table in both. One thing I've noticed is that in the US, the interview process is often more of a personality test, whereas in the UK it is often more of a skills test (at least in my anecdotal evidence).

In the US, we had 100s of resumes for some positions, and by the time we had weeded them out we had about 6-10 that we would call in for first interviews. These were partially to talk about the stuff in the resume, but really we were looking at the personality and asking "would this person be able to work in our environment with the people presently here?" The second interview was only 3 candidates, and the boss would ask himself 'do I want this person working with me' basically. All that came in were more than qualified professionally with the skills needed, but some were definitely a step above on the social level and made it to the next level.

In my interviews in the UK, there have been times that my colleagues have basically turned it into an oral exam on certain things. Asking them to solve a question or how they would do this or that. It was a quite a different experience. I'm sure there was some social compatibility questions going on, but it really felt like I was back in school.

Anyway, just an observation. Not sure if anyone else has seen the same.

The fancy and expensive consultant says that there are probably a number of reasons why he didn't get that job, none of which are necessarily negative.

It was very early on in my job search (probably within the first two weeks), so I didn't take it in a negative way at all. In fact, I took it very positively because it indicated that I had skills and experience that were of interest to prospective employers.

I felt the interviews went very well, I feel that I communicated well with the interviewers, I was as open and honest as possible, but in the end the job went to someone else. Not a problem as it showed me that the process was broadly similar to my experiences in the UK.

After that it didn't go so well. I can't say what went wrong in subsequent interviews as I just didn't get them. As mentioned previously, I got to talk to some recruiters on my initial contact, but once I made the follow up calls, I just got completely stone-walled.

I did get interviewed for another job (again first and second interviews) just before we left the States, but that was a call centre job. Again, I feel that it went very well and, while nowhere near my skills and experience, it was something I felt I could do as part of my job is to provide support to customers.

In the end though they wanted people who would make a bit more of a career out of it than I was obviously intending.

So, I don't think the problem is with my interviewing techniques. It could be my resume, but I had that expensive employment consultant who helped with writing a winning resume...!

My wife tells me I am not "in your face enough" for Americans...

When I get as far as an interview, I only concentrate on that job. I let that job know I eat breath and sleep them. That I am loyal, dependable, will be celebrating my 10 year jubiliee with them. I never tell them I am here until something better comes along, that i do to myself sitting at home looking thru the net and reading papers AFTER WORK.

Well I do remember that "Yes and, and No but" bit for interviewing. They do want you to show enthusiasm and confidence. Perhaps even appearing what might seem arrogant to you.

This may be a silly question, but as far as the interviews... Do have have a significant accent? Can the people understand you easily? Not that they SHOULD reject you because of that, but it's possible. For a call centre, it might be a problem because even I (used to Scottish fiance) must admit to having more difficulty with UK accents on the phone. Of course, they often outsource to India, so...

If you never are even speaking to anyone, it would seem it would have to be something with your resume or cover letter or experience. I'm not sure if you want to, but if you'd like to email me a copy of the resume and cover letter (of course delete any personal/ID information that you are uncomfortable with ) I could ask my friend who runs a large IT department to look at it and give me feedback. I do not mean to hire you, but to rather just give feedback and advice.

The "in your face" bit could be true, but would only apply after getting the interview I would think.

I think you rather miss the point. At the interview they were presented with a candidate who had over 15 years experience in the IT field, working in a software house.

They are going to (and did) ask why was I going for a call centre job that was obvioiusly way below my skill and experience level. I could hardly enthuse about how it was a dream of mine, etc.

So I told them the truth. I needed to work and this offered a good starting point. They are a huge company and I'm sure there would be other opportunities to work within that company, but I had to start somewhere.

I could see myself making a successul career with that company, just not in the call centre for any great length of time. A job is a two way thing, both the employer and employee need to gain from the contract.

Just to be clear because of the way the posts arrived:

My post #131 is in response to #129 (not #130).

#130 - thanks for your offer. May well take you up on that.

I was more talking about the first interview than the call centre job. And just speculating, as I've never met you, I was only speculating upon what you said your wife told you.

And of course noone would expect you to be that enthusistic about a call centre. It is very hard to get hired for something way below your abilities, as they don't expect you to like it or stay. So perhaps that was aiming too low, although I certainly understand why you tried it.

I personally would not be terribly concerned with the two companies that interviewed you and did not hire you. What would concern me is why you are not being called for the other interviews.

Oh and the same thing just happened

No problem, and feel free. I don't know if it will help, but it's the best I can come up with.

Okay, just found these other buttons on the other side of the screen! (I may be an IT consultant, but I'm not a forum/post expert! )

Nail, head with regard to why I'm not being called. That is what my entire concern is about.

Keep the advice rolling in as some of it is helpful.

In the meantime, my wife and I are going to enjoy some of the many delights that London has to offer, particularly the parks.

Oh to be in England now that spring is here.