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[idlemichael]

BBC Headhunters - The Mind Candy episode (from the inside!)

[Reason]

Thanks for the write up, I was keen to know what happened on the day. I was thinking of applying myself (with no intention of it going anywhere) since I live in London and it could of proved a fun day out...

However, it seems lke it was quite a tiresome, and a ten hour wait followed by a hounding in the interview doesn't sound like a perfect day out

Look forward to the actual show

[European Chris]

Sounds as though you did quite well though Michael...do you know when it's being shown?

[frankieroberto]

Yeah, well done on getting so far. I wonder who got the job...? Sounds like a gruelling process. I wonder what kind of candidate they were hoping to employ. Someone very corporate? A creative type? Highly organised person?

Frankie

[idlemichael]

Well, there's talk of my episode being shown as a pilot of sorts, possibly before Christmas. Editing should be completed over the next couple of weeks - it's then a decision down to the good people at the Beeb, really. Whatever happens, it'll certainly be around the turn of the new year. Whether it's 2005 or 2006... we'll find out soon enough!

[idlemichael]

Oh, and frankieroberto: the two people who were definitely shortlisted were along the "creative" type, but that can be attributed to all of us. In fact, I don't think any of us nine could be considered corporate in any way...

[solitair]

Well, I can reveal that I was the other "actual player" as idlemichael put it. and I can confirm pretty much everything he has said.

Hanging around with absolutely nothing to do from 9:30 until 5 to be seen is not my idea of a good reason for taking a day off work, but there were technical problems so I guess it's excusable.

The BBC people were really nice, friendly and helpful. They went out of their way to make us as comfortable as possible and did everything they could to make things go smoothly.

More than can be said for the "recruitment professionals" but then I get the feeling that the vaguely familiar one took an instant dislike to me and that was pretty much that. The interview was extremely agressive and not in the least constructive from my viewpoint. I suspect that they had been told to keep the number of questions down and make a judgement quickly as time was running out before the crew had to down tools for the night.

Apparently I was arrogant with some good commercial ideas but no creativity. I did get a positive vote from 1 of the panel who actually seemed receptive to what I was saying, but that was it.

Overall, given the chance to do the same again I would turn it down without a second thought no matter how good I thought the job would be as that was the least constructive interview I have ever had with the least chance to get any points across.

Oh well, I did eventually manage to unwind after buzzing around like a loon for about 3 hours in the pub.

[idlemichael]

Hey solitair - nice to see you made it out alive (and you got a positive response from one of them!).

I can only agree though, it was far from a 'good' interview situation. After having some of our fellow candidates in the room for 45 minutes +, it did seem as though we tailenders were being rushed. I was barely allowed to present my ideas; very much a "never mind, get a move on" thing going on.

Oh, and the 'vaguely familiar one' apparently hated everyone. I was verrry tempted to ask if his aggression stemmed from the fact that he didn't even actually win The Apprentice. Never mind, eh - I'm sure the fact he has a small penis (cheers to an anonymous member of the production team for that one!) more than makes up for it...

[tanner]

i have always been of the opinion that interviews were an opportunity for the company involved to show me good reason why i should work for them -- there are lots of jobs in the world but only one me!

[frankieroberto]

Hmm, that's why I asked the question. Sounds like it was a very corporate inteview for a creative-type job. Oh well...

[konamouse]

As an Apprentice watcher, I gotta know. Who was there from the show? Please???

[Reason]

I presume it was the UK apprentice show he was off, if so;

http://www.bbc.co.uk/apprentice/

All of their mug shots are here, maybe you would recognise him? If it was Paul I feel very sorry for you

[idlemichael]

Certainly was the UK show...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/apprentice/biog_ben.shtml

...is the guilty party!

[konamouse]

Oooh, didn't know that they did The Apprentice in the UK. Who is the businessman draw (the Big Boss)?

[European Chris]