Assembled with 15 or so other interviewees in a room for several vacancies in the different museums. Went round the table introducing ourselves with an object we’d been told to bring along that made us proud. then were given various tasks. Later we were interviewed individually about the role and availability etc. I’ve extensive experience working the same role at other museums so was well prepared and thought the interview went well. But a few days later I received an email saying I’d not been successful and was told my answers to the interview questions were too brief. The reason I was succinct was consideration for the interviewer who was frantically having to scribble all my answers down longhand in pen. Some of the other applicants really waffled on about themselves in the earlier task, so I thought the interviewers would appreciate concise answers rather than long rambling ones! Bizarrely, a month later I’m seeing the same roles being advertised by the IWM all over again so have no idea what their game is. Thankfully since then I’ve successfully landed a job at another museum where the people there actually appreciated my experience and concise answers!

The process involved a group interview lasting around two hours at IWM London, including two group activities and a one-to-one interview. The interviewer also introduced the museum’s history and explained the responsibilities of the role.