After applying online I was invited by email to do a telephone interview. This telephone interview lasted about 20-30 minutes and I was told by the interviewer that I had passed and was invited for a face-to-face interview, which took place two weeks later. This second interview lasted around an hour, and involved a role playing exercise and some competency-based questions with two of the managing staff. The atmosphere was quite relaxed and the staff that interviewed me were lovely. After the interview I heard back the next day with an offer and the background checks came through very quickly.

THE MOST UNPROFESSIONAL INTERVIEW PROCESS I HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED!! i had the telephone interview and waited for the actual face to face interview to be arranged but then received an email saying i'd got a telephone interview a few days later?? I couldn't get through when i called to inform them i'd already HAD the telephone interview so i emailed their HR. No reply. I was then called at 8am the next day for a 2nd Telephone interview which was followed by an email saying they had "Cancelled my application as i didn't require the role anymore". I called AGAIN to inform them this was not the case. After waiting for twenty minutes on hold i spoke to an agent who informed he would send my details to the HR department and i would receive a call back. I never received one as the agent never forwarded my details. I finally spoke to the HR Lady who had initially interviewed me for the Telephone interview and who apologized and set a date for the actual interview (I had to confirm which role i was applying for first though as She didn't know!) I arrived at my interview to be greeted by a smug,, (aren't they all) middle aged, unprepared "Team Leader" who gave off a negative vibe from the outset. He proceeded to ask me POINTLESS competency questions based on the companies "Values". Smirking to himself throughout. I was then given a role play to act out (Which wasn't explained clearly) and given 10 minutes to prepare. it was more like 5 minutes. I then had to sell the "customer" insurance. Even though i made it clear i do not come from a sales background. Which he would have known if he'd bothered to have my CV at hand. Which he Didn't. All THIS for a £16.5K Job! All in all, i was given the impression that Direct Line is an APPALLING company to work for and no doubt equally appalling to their customers. I was relieved the next morning when i received the email informing me i was "unsuccessful" as it saved me a job of ringing to say "No Thanks!!" . I did not even bother to call for any feedback on the interview. AVOID!!