Should employers reveal questions ahead of interviews?

A department store firm in the United Kingdom has uploaded its entire recruitment process, including interview questions, on its website for jobseekers.

John Lewis Partnership said they want jobseekers to have the "best opportunity to be successful" by providing them with information on what to expect during the application process.

"Here you can learn about the Partnership's recruitment process, useful hints and tips for the journey, and find answers to those frequently asked questions," the company says. "You can even practice the kind of tests you might come across."

The information available online covers the recruitment process for many positions in the company, from selling/stock/supermarket assistant positions to heads or directorial roles.

Interview questions available

But in addition to the process itself, the company also discloses the interview questions to be asked applicants during the recruitment process.

For leadership roles, the organisation will ask questions surrounding building collaboration, communication, promoting inclusivity, among others.

"You don't need to plan responses to all the questions," the company said. "Take the time to review your past experiences and identify a number of different examples in advance that could fit a range of questions and demonstrate your skills, experiences, and potential."

It also provide various recommendations, such as answering the questions clearly during the recruitment process.

Transparent interview

Lorna Bullett, talent acquisition lead at John Lewis Partnerships, told CNBC that they want to give candidates the chance to "confidently demonstrate what they can do."

"Interviews can feel daunting, and for some — particularly those who are neurodiverse — nerves can seriously impact performance," Bullett told the news outlet.

According to the talent acquisition lead, they are also hoping to attract a diverse set of jobseekers by being transparent over their interview questions.

"A transparent interview approach could be particularly beneficial for Gen Z candidates and young professionals applying for their first job, who might be lacking confidence when it comes to the interview process," she said.