[anactoria]

Originally Posted by gav016

I think Aliyah's interview was great for me, it made me realise although I'm very confident in my own abilities, perhaps I'm not projecting that confidence so much and I need to put it out there a bit more, which I sort of found to be a bit of a reccurring theme in my interviews, and it's definitely given me something to work on in the future, which is great!

Isn't 'in the future' a little late at this point, though? The only remaining task is the final, and I want to see candidates who are fully prepared to be hired now, not sometime in the future.

[anactoria]

Originally Posted by I've Got Class

I think that I was hard on myself, Pete told me I was being hard on myself, and I think I came across quite well- I think it showed a more serious side to me, as although I do like to bring a sense of fun, had I paraded around the interview firing off my positives and completely ignoring the negatives, I'd have looked, arrogant and a damn right fool!

The point of an interview is to put across your best side, though? I wouldn't go into a job interview and tell them that I was the worst candidate for the job, or that my best skill was 'punctuality'.

I'm also interested, Zak, in why you think 'reliability' is your best skill. Do you really think that (and perfect school attendance) are things that you should be mentioning? You have limited time with the interviewers, and you should be talking about your absolute best attributes, not things that everyone is expected to have.

[Satanel]

Originally Posted by anactoria

Does this mean that you find it difficult to handle aggressive interviewing techniques? Aliyah was trying to get a reaction out of you, yes, but what does it say about you that you gave her one?

I don't think I gave her quite the same aggressive tone as she did myself, nor do I believe I found it difficult - I found it more difficult, but not difficult on its own merit. I also don't believe I was aggressive in the interview, I responded to being called "incredibly lazy" in quite a professional manner, by explaining how this wasn't the case - besides, she asked for an example of a weaker task and the reason why so I gave her it. I would have hoped the reason I used was "incredibly lazy" because I have never had a weak task - though I know this may not be the case.

[gav016]

Originally Posted by anactoria

Isn't 'in the future' a little late at this point, though? The only remaining task is the final, and I want to see candidates who are fully prepared to be hired now, not sometime in the future.

Well, I think I've been working hard on all of the things people have criticised me for in the process, improved on them and shown my improvements in-task, this is just another criticism no one has directed at me before in the process, which I'll work on regardless of if I make it or not! I guess you could argue it's a little late in the process but it's pretty valuable feedback either way, and it's difficult to rectify the things people state are your flaws without knowing what they are. If I make it on to another task, you'll definitely see the results of that in action.

[Satanel]

Originally Posted by anactoria

I'm also interested, Zak, in why you think 'reliability' is your best skill. Do you really think that (and perfect school attendance) are things that you should be mentioning? You have limited time with the interviewers, and you should be talking about your absolute best attributes, not things that everyone is expected to have.

I've mentioned this many-a-time, but I stand by my reasoning of: 'how can you show off the rest of your skills if you're not there?'. Yes, it may be expected but that doesn't decrease it's level of importance in my opinion. I also mentioned the, in my opinion, more obvious skills of being a good team member and having an excellent work-ethic in my CV for example!

[I've Got Class]

Originally Posted by anactoria

The point of an interview is to put across your best side, though? I wouldn't go into a job interview and tell them that I was the worst candidate for the job, or that my best skill was 'punctuality'.

I could've been alot more positive, but my biggest fear in life is to be viewed as arrogant, as I know that arrogance is not as a nice trait to possess. I think had I the chance to do it again, which I realise that I don't, I'd have changed my answers, but Pete's was the first DSA interview I had, and I think I was the first interviewee, so as a top four we were very happy to discuss the interviews, and I was first, I had no reference to the tone of what I would need to do, and despite having real life experience, I think it's harder to showcase yourself online.

[anactoria]

Louise, you may have noticed that all the other candidates picked you for the top two - do you think this is a deserved ranking?

[Strictly_Irish]

Originally Posted by anactoria

Louise, you may have noticed that all the other candidates picked you for the top two - do you think this is a deserved ranking?

I did, and I'm very pleased - thanks everyone!

I do think this is a deserved ranking, as, to echo what I've said in my interviews, I feel like I have shown many different skills and attributes necessary for this job. In addition I have succeeded in the tasks, in general and have overall been a dedicated and reliable candidate.

[anactoria]

Originally Posted by Satanel

I don't think I gave her quite the same aggressive tone as she did myself, nor do I believe I found it difficult - I found it more difficult, but not difficult on its own merit. I also don't believe I was aggressive in the interview, I responded to being called "incredibly lazy" in quite a professional manner, by explaining how this wasn't the case - besides, she asked for an example of a weaker task and the reason why so I gave her it. I would have hoped the reason I used was "incredibly lazy" because I have never had a weak task - though I know this may not be the case.

In my opinion, all four candidates have definitely had weak tasks - and in your case, one weakness that crops up is in your PMing. You seemed to think at the time of your first loss that you didn't believe you should be held responsible for the whole concept, but do you still think that? I need somebody who can take full responsibility for leading a team. Do you think you're that person?

Originally Posted by I've Got Class

I could've been alot more positive, but my biggest fear in life is to be viewed as arrogant, as I know that arrogance is not as a nice trait to possess. I think had I the chance to do it again, which I realise that I don't, I'd have changed my answers, but Pete's was the first DSA interview I had, and I think I was the first interviewee, so as a top four we were very happy to discuss the interviews, and I was first, I had no reference to the tone of what I would need to do, and despite having real life experience, I think it's harder to showcase yourself online.

Don't you think, though, that your experience of boardrooms counts towards knowing the proper tone? Candidates are expected to conduct themselves in boardrooms in pretty much the same way as in interviews.

[Satanel]

Originally Posted by anactoria

In my opinion, all four candidates have definitely had weak tasks - and in your case, one weakness that crops up is in your PMing. You seemed to think at the time of your first loss that you didn't believe you should be held responsible for the whole concept, but do you still think that? I need somebody who can take full responsibility for leading a team. Do you think you're that person?

The main reason we lost in task five was due to the originality of the concept. If I were to go back and do it all again, I would absolutely spend more time on the originality of the concept and this may have tipped us for the win. So yes, since I was PM, I absolutely take responsibility for the loss of that task due to overlooking the aspect of originality. I learned from that task to take more responsibility for my actions, and the team's actions when taking the role of PM, so yes, I think I'm that person!

[I've Got Class]

Originally Posted by anactoria

Don't you think, though, that your experience of boardrooms counts towards knowing the proper tone? Candidates are expected to conduct themselves in boardrooms in pretty much the same way as in interviews.

The boardrooms I were in early on in the process are hardly a way to behave in an interview, my most recent boardroom went well, but was still particularly negative towards me with negativity coming from another person, I think being negative about myself in the sense I realise I have flaws is a good thing.!

[anactoria]

Originally Posted by Strictly_Irish

I did, and I'm very pleased - thanks everyone!

I do think this is a deserved ranking, as, to echo what I've said in my interviews, I feel like I have shown many different skills and attributes necessary for this job. In addition I have succeeded in the tasks, in general and have overall been a dedicated and reliable candidate.

Do you think you're at risk of seeming like an overly-polished candidate? Or even that your successes so far might make you complacent?

[anactoria]

Originally Posted by I've Got Class

The boardrooms I were in early on in the process are hardly a way to behave in an interview, my most recent boardroom went well, but was still particularly negative towards me with negativity coming from another person, I think being negative about myself in the sense I realise I have flaws is a good thing.!

I'd say that an interview is probably not the best place to discuss your flaws, but let's move on.

To all candidates, I'm just about ready to come to a decision. Can you give me two brief and specific examples of your shining moments in this process?

[Strictly_Irish]

Originally Posted by anactoria

Do you think you're at risk of seeming like an overly-polished candidate? Or even that your successes so far might make you complacent?

I would say I'm a polished candidate, but I'm not sure it's a bad thing or it should put me at risk of anything. I've done my best throughout this process to do everything correctly and for the most part, I've succeeded. I don't see how this could mean I'm overly polished or could be a bad thing in any way.

As for complacency, I have not once become complacent in this process. Not during the interviews, while writing my CV or any task. I'm not going to start now. I would never rely on past successes to get me through anything. They got me through that particular task, nothing further.

[I've Got Class]

My first shining moment is The Golden Jubilee task, it was my second win as PM and myself and y team worked exceptionally well together, and I can't recall one complaint about my attitude or managerial skills from that task- a real highlight for me, and a task I'm so proud of!

My second shining moment is the blogger task- one of the posts I wrote about was witnessed by the artist, who Tweeted about it- therefore giving us some extra exposure, I think getting that artist to tweet us is a great achievement for me, as it showed they appreciated my work.

[Strictly_Irish]

Originally Posted by anactoria

To all candidates, I'm just about ready to come to a decision. Can you give me two brief and specific examples of your shining moments in this process?

Briefly

1) The games task. The concept I had set the basis for (free-roam in space) was highly praised in the boardroom. That task was also a PM win for me.

2) The clothing task with Gav, where we came up with the festival range. None of the tasks have gone that smoothly and I think it showed the perfect example of teamwork.

[Satanel]

Originally Posted by anactoria

Can you give me two brief and specific examples of your shining moments in this process?

• The first of my examples is the boardroom of task five where I showed my passion and dedication to the process when I fought for my position in the competition.
• The second is the task where we had to develop a new toy because the pitch to Kevin got us an offer of the most units (15,000) out of both teams and it showed that I can pitch very well.

[gav016]

My first 'shining moment' would probably have been my performance on the Toy task! I helped write the framework for the pitch, spent a very long time researching the merits and costs of the ingredients for the toy and also was a part of the team that delivered the only pitch to gain orders on my team. It was said that our costings won the task, which while I didn't invent and wouldn't have helped without the fantastic product our team created, I was primarily responsible for on my team, and I think were very instrumental in our win.

My second shining moment was the clothing task - I think everything went incredibly well from start to finish, and we delivered a great product and pitch that was very well recieved, my leadership was vastly improved and there were next to no criticisms of my performance at all, either by my other team mate or by Pete, who was following us. It was a great example of how well I can lead, and how well I can collaborate in a team.

[anactoria]

Thank you, everyone.

I've made my first decision.

[anactoria]

Gav, you've been an incredibly strong candidate at times, but there have definitely been points when your passion has failed to shine through. I don't know whether that's just down to your tone, or whether you're just not as enthusiastic as you claim to be.

Jess, you're clearly passionate about the process, but I think it's fair to say that this passion has at times led you to behave in ways that aren't really befitting of one of my employees. I have to wonder if you're ready for this.

Zak, nobody can accuse you of not being enthusiastic, but it's also easy to detect notes of arrogance at times. I also don't think it's necessarily a coincidence that you have the worst record of those remaining.

And Louise, you've been deservedly praised throughout for your skills and your behaviour; it seems like you haven't put a foot wrong. If you make it through, though, could you be too safe a candidate for my organisation?

[anactoria]

On that note, Louise...

[anactoria]

...you're through to the final. Congratulations!

[Strictly_Irish]

Brilliant, thanks very much! Good luck to the remaining candidates!

[anactoria]

This means that there's only one spot left to play for, but not all of you will be battling it out.

[anactoria]

Jess, I think you've developed into a very strong candidate throughout this series, and I'm incredibly impressed by the change in your attitude from about mid-series onwards. I've enjoyed having you as a candidate and I know you'll go on to bigger and brighter things, but I think it's probably the end of the road for you here. So, with regret...

...you're fired.