Initial contact and phone screen was with a Smith & Nephew HR recruiter who had found my résumé posted on the internet. This was followed by a 1:1 interview with the hiring manager, where he probed why I was interested in the position and was advised that the group was currently in a "turnaround situation," where there was a strong need to reverse their current slip in market share vs competition. The next round of interviews was focused almost exclusively on behavioral questions and included the hiring manager (VP US Mktg), as well as HR Director, Global Product Marketing VP, and Finance Director. Key concerns for the right candidate included the need to be a strong people manager, with questions around how you would manage an underperforming employee. Additional questions focused on how to manage a high performer and what I would be able to provide to them as a manager. Emphasis was also placed on performing under pressure with the executive team, particularly related to financial performance and having a clear understanding of the numbers and the ability to explain them without hesitation. The need to have a strong marketing skill set was also a given, and the new director would be expected to create more focused marketing programs that could be clearly executed by the sales force in their highly competitive environment. Ultimately, I didn't make the final round, since there were two final candidates selected who had more closely alligned backgrounds / market experience. This final round was to include the presentation of a business case and performance in a role play situation.

Unprofessional at best, rude and arrogant at worst. Invited to Watford office by hiring manager following a phone interview, who then dodged my attempts to schedule the follow up meeting. If this is how candidates are treated, goodness knows how they retain staff. Perhaps other sites are better, but the Watford office is one to avoid. Really poor, disrespectful behaviour.