Good God - weirdest interview request yet!

That does seem odd. If it was the content of the essays they were interested in, you'd think they could ask a few relevant questions at the interview rather than ask for a written essay. It sounds like being back at school...

Maybe a bit.

Sounds like a simple but effective tool for weeding out those that don't really want the job.

They will also be testing your literary skills, creativity and logic, as well as obtaining a more rounded view of the candidate.

Their job, their way - if it isn't your cup of tea, fair enough.

What a load of old pony.

mind you, i once had 18 interviews for the same job, one of which involved a guy sitting at his desk, food stains on his tie, feet on said desk, blethering on in arabic - which was a test but i mean honestly.

Well yes, I can see why they are asking you to do it but for a PA role? It makes no sense.

I've previously tested for companies like McKinsey where you have to pass their grammar, spelling & observation test and if you don't pass you don't even get interviewed. I passed with flying colours.

But, that's a 10 minute test. Not writing 5 pages.

They're clearly looking for a certain type of person. Someone that doesn't find the request strange is probably ideal for the job.

Sounds like they want to make sure you have impeccable writing skills, good use of grammar etc., whch I would thave thought was important for a PA role.

However, I think 5 pages is ridiculous! they should be able to figure this out in a cover letter, emails, etc. Does not sound ike a fun place to work!

Weird, I think completely the opposite. I'm intrigued.

?

I mean, one side perhaps but 5?! I'd feel the same way as you and I think I'd be withdrawing my application...

well, if it was you doing it you wouldnt have to try too hard for it to be odd ?

It wouldn't have even occurred to me to think of it as a weird interview request - I was expecting something really bizarre.

If you are really interested in the job then you'll jump through all the hoops - this is an ideal way of them ensuring that applicants really are committed. Also gives them an opportunity to find out more about you in depth and also assess your language / grammar abilities.

To me, I'd find it rather intriguing and want to find out more about the company. Shows to me they are a little bit different and I like that.

That's the thing - once I put the phone down I thought you could type in font size 70 or something to cover 5 pages.

Maybe I'm jaded from the job hunt, but it is totally out of the ordinary. As I said above, I've done plenty of grammar, spelling, language, layout tests etc - I know to expect them. And of course it has a bearing on your ability to do a PA job.

However, essay writing is way off the spectrum of normality. And I'm not the only person who thinks this said the agent. I wonder if that's why she's called me several times to persuade me to go for it - maybe everyone is thinking the same as me.

That occurred to me too, but is typing ok, or do they want it hand-written?

Do they have time to read all 5 pages from every applicant? Whenever I've interviewed, it's time consuming enough, without additional reading.

I got the impression it was to be hand written!

I'd be tempted to tell them that they didn't sound very academic if they set length by pages rather than word count. ?

Maybe they want you to do something creative with it if they have just specified 5 pages. Did they say what size pages etc?

At first I'd be put off but curiosity would get the better of me and I'd do something a bit weird with the 5 pages and send it to them, especially if it wasn't my only option potential job wise

Just to throw a spanner in the works, maybe they want to see your reaction to the request but not actually expect you to write it?

Five pages all about meeee, and what I think? Blimey, what 's not to like? ?

I hope they're A4 pages. Can I use extra sheets? ?

I was just thinking that, tbh. perhaps they're looking for someone who's pretty keen on themself... i would normally fall into that category, but i think five sides would push it even for my interest in me ?

Thanks for all the responses. I find it interesting that some of you think it's a valid request.

Part of me is intrigued to know what exactly they hoped to glean from an essay, but not that intrigued.

I think it's a great idea- you'd be able to tell a huge amount about someone from it (how articulate they are, how intelligent, what their personality is like, sense of humour, creativity, you name it). It's also a great way to separate those who really want to work for them and are prepared to make an extra effort from those who aren't fussed. Assuming they do have people keen to work for them, I think it's a fab idea (although if they're crap, it's probably a bit silly ?)

I'd enjoy doing an exercise like that. What I've always hated about interviews is that you have to squash everything into such a short time- writing an essay would be a chamce to present yourself exactly as you want, with as much time as you want to get it perfect.

I agree with P&P and knownowt actually. I think it weeds out timewasters, plus it would give you a great insight into a candidate's character and ability to express themselves. OK, the latter is not perhaps a necessity, but a good PA ought to be extremely articulate and persuasive IMO.