2nd Stage Interview

[K87]

Got a second interview with a graduate scheme tomorrow. Whoop Whoop.

The list of activities say:

Interview
Presentation
Group Exercise
Role Play

Anyone had anything similar? I've come across most of that before except for the role play, no idea what to expect with this one. It's for a managerial position and I'm feeling a little bit out of my depth really but can't be any harm in trying.

[Vron]

What industry is it?

[Dai Capp]

This is similar to the grad recruitment format I developed for my last employer - the role play was a typical management scenario eg an appraisal or performance feedback meeting when we wanted to see what basic management style was shown 'naturally' by the candidate before the rough edges were knocked off. Gives the employer a good insight of what they have to work with.

Don't go in thinking you're out of your depth - you're there because they want to see you and you deserve to be there.

DC

[BluePurpleRed]

I think the trick is to not be the quietest OR the noisest in the group exercise. If you can convince people to put you in charge of something that always helps.

Also its pretty much a given that they will throw a last minute spoiler into the Group exercise so while others are yakking its always good to be thinking whatif X happens so you can look the hero when it all goes wrong ( they want it to so they can see what happens) like you lose a resource / team member / client you have selected goes bust. Can be the easiest way to make a big impact as its near the end and they will remember it well.

For the presentation they won't be looking for a sales manager, more clear voice, without rushing or mumbling with open body language and some confidence to look professional to present a dept internally or a client externally.

HTH

Edited by BluePurpleRed on Tuesday 13th April 18:02

[K87]

Thanks for the advice chaps, its in the transport industry, as a trainee engineering manager. Leading up to managing a fleet of vehicles.

[shirt]

K87 said:

Got a second interview with a graduate scheme tomorrow. Whoop Whoop.

The list of activities say:

Interview
Presentation
Group Exercise
Role Play

Anyone had anything similar? I've come across most of that before except for the role play, no idea what to expect with this one. It's for a managerial position and I'm feeling a little bit out of my depth really but can't be any harm in trying.

I've been through the process [pretty standard graduate interview imo] as a graduate and also done the interviewing/assessing for the company i worked for. A few tips of the top of my head:


Interview:

Likely to be with a HR bod asking the usual guff, and someone from the hiring department to get a feel for you and ask technical questions [assuming there isn't a later stage with the hirig dept. giving the final say]. Can't really help with that side of things but the usual interview rules apply - smart, presentable, enthusiastic without going ott etc.

Presentation:

You should have plenty of experience of these through uni work. Is is on a topic that they have set or one of your own choosing? Either way, make it interesting and ensure you have researched the topic thoroughly. Don't waffle, don't go over the time limit, keep it relevant, do the 'tell you what i'm going to say, say it, then a recap of the key points'.

You'll likely be questioned. Don't bullst. They'll start easily but if you have any significant gaps in either the presentation or your understanding of the topic they'll get harder. If you can't answer, say that you don't know the answer but will be sure to look at that when you go away. There's nothing worse than someone doing a guppy impression or trying to bullst their way out of an answer [especially if its one you don't resonably expect them to know] when admitting you don't know is a perfectly reasonable response.

Group Exercise

If there's a time limit, the first thing you should do is volunteer to keep time and inform the group of the time ledt at intervals - easy brownie points for you. They will likely be asking you to discuss what you'd do in a particular situation or with a certain problem.

Solving the problem isn't relevant, they will be looking at how you interact. I.e. willing to contribute, confidence in expressing your opinion, allowing others their turn, involving the quiet members, not dismissing opinions that are the opposite to your own but discussing their merits and weaknesses. etc etc. Don't dominate proceedings but make sure you are an active participant.

Role Play

Similar to the above in that it doesn't matter so much that you solve the issue, in fact the other person in the role play may be given the task to be as difficult as possible so that you can't. Again, its all about how you handle yourself & put across your views whilst being responsive to the other person and trying to reach an amicable solution.


The interviewing company know you aren't experienced, but are looking for switched on people who can do the job whilst being an active team member and not an ahole nobody will work with.

[Lardydah]

I've been through a couple recently, one piece of advice I would give is to remember that you're probably being watched from the second you enter the building to the second you leave.

In between the excercises don't be afraid to chat to the other candidates, if they offer lunch (I expect they will) make a beeline for one of the current employees and chat to them (about the company/job, etc) while you eat. Will help with confidence and also shows that your interested in the job and not a boring old loon that nobody would want to work with.

I assume the interview will be competency based, when answering questions use the STAR approach (Situation, task, action, result) to formulate answers. Don't be afraid to ask your own questions about the company at the end, remember it's just as much about finding out if the company/role is correct for you than finding out if you're correct for the role/company!

Do up your top button, shine your shoes, look people in the eye when you shake their hands.

And don't for one second think you're out of your depth. They wouldn't have invited you to an assesment day if they weren't impressed with what they've seen so far.

[K87]

Thanks folks. The day is tomorrow so will let you know how I get on, currently sat in the hotel on their expenses, had dinner and drink with the other applicants and current guys all paid for. I'm liking this company already!

Also found out that there's only me and one other guy going for the engineering role, from an original 80 so I mut be doing something right!