The interview first started in being partners and knowing their name, what they did on the weekend, favourite celebrity, and why they would be a good fit for platypus. Afterwards, every group would take turns to introduce their partner to the group.
Next, we had to be in groups of 4 and the interviewers allocated each group a random shoe to sell and present it to everyone.
Before the interview in the interview confirmation email, the dress code was streetwear and Platypus requested an optional A5 image of yourself with your name at the back because "having a photo makes it much easier for [them] to remember each person [they] meet" as they meet "up to 2000 candidates". If you didn't bring a photo, well that's no problem because the interviewers will take a photo of you anyway. For my interview they took a picture of the groups after they presented their shoes to everyone.
This ridiculous excuse of wanting a photo of youself is so flawed because if you meet so many people and you need a photo to remember people, then your performance in the group interview is rendered useless because it's highly unlikely they will remember your spectacular personality, but rather base your employability on your appearance in those photos!!! Not only that, what other jobs apart from modelling would require an employer to use your photo for their hiring process? From my observation, all the interviewers were all white, and recalling back when I have visited Platypus as a customer, I realised have never seen a person of colour working there! I thought this was only in Fountain Gate but even in Glen Waverley, I have only seen a white person working for Platypus, where in other stores that are Western owned like Target I have seen employees from a variety of backgrounds.
During the interview, I also noticed that the interviewers only engaged with people who had the same interests e.g. you have the same favourite celebrity or you have the same hobby. They were also more keen in interacting with people who were white or appeared white, such as nodding in acknowledgement of their words, laughing, reciprocating words/body gestures and smiling.
For a bit of background, I am an Asian girl, and I was a bit shy and nervous, but never received any acknowledgement of anything I was saying. The interviewers just stared at me blankly like I didn't exist. I know that there is also bias in other interviews because the interviewer sees you in real life during the interview, but I still felt recognised when I did it at other stores after this Platypus interview.
I believe they only hire a particular archetype *ahem* white girls because I remember none of the employees wore streetwear, its just basic, cheap clothing you would find in Cotton On or Glassons!!! Don't even get me started on the shoes, they just wear basic dunks or air force ones that every person and their dog wears too!
The hiring panel is so biased and blinded, I would steer away from Platypus because they are a waste of time. Don't bother applying if you are a person of colour unless you fit the Western beauty standards! I have been to many other job interviews and have never been asked for a photo.
Platypus lost a dedicated customer. I wasn't a customer this time, I was a job applicant and Platypus management has really shown their true colours and what their values align with. Just look at their store reviews. I will never buy or support Platypus ever again and do not recommend it to anyone.
