- CV - Phone Interview - Aptitude Tests - Assessment Centre Phone interview:4 standard ‘Name a time when’ questions, a lot about resilience. They want them answered in STAR format and there is no feedback from the caller, they just type your answers. Aptitude tests:Numerical and Logical, compared to other tests I would say they’re on the easier side. Assessment Centre:Split into 4 parts: -Role-Play Exercise -Group Exercise -In-Tray Exercise -1 to 1 interview Role Play:You’re a head of global distribution and need to convince the head of EU distribution to come on board with the new global system. 40 minutes to read over the info, 3-4 mins to present to one of the assessors, who is playing the role of the head of EU distribution. Then 10-15 minutes of answering their questions. Group Exercise:Gives three solutions to penetrating a new market, 25 minutes to read individually and then 35 to discuss as a group and come to a consensus. Assessors sit in on the group discussion and take notes. In-tray:Feedback from the candidates on the day was that this portion was just a waste of time, we were given an hour to read through 10 emails and then write an email to your boss. To do with losing a supplier due to a natural disaster. Plenty of time given here so it’s not to assess whether you deal with pressure well and the content is definitely nothing you’d ever deal with in the role. 1 to 1 Interview:This part of the day was fairly disappointing, the interviewer was very nice, all the staff were, great at relaxing everyone. However the way the interview is conducted wasn’t great. 2 questions about technology and the automotive industry followed by 7 standard ‘Name a time when’ questions relating to resilience, teamwork, customer satisfaction, helping team members. The issue with this was there being no back and forth with the interviewer, much like the initial telephone interview, your answers are just written down, so they’re not really looking for who you are as a person here, they’re just looking for the buzzword correct answers. So do your research. I’m not sure if this is normal for assessment centres but any interview I’ve done in the past, the interviewer is looking at you and trying to bring more out of your answers. As a side-note: During the lunch break, they had graduates in from a few years ago, both very nice and giving us valuable insight into the role. However it's worth noting that one of them did feel very strongly about ‘women in tech’ and liked to keep that subject going, in a room with 12 guys participating in the AC. One guy did challenge her on some stats she was saying that sounded a bit exaggerated and the topic then fizzled. Nothing else during the day gave me an SJW vibe but this is probably worth noting. Overall, the facilitators and staff were brilliant, the guys that attended on the day as well were laid back and at no point did it feel like anyone was in competition. Very good experience that will be valuable for future AC’s. They also pay up to £150 of travel expenses.