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Interviews & Assessment Centres Donna Law and Emma Woodham

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Agenda

• Introductions

• Before you go

• On the day

• Afterwards

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About Us

• Assistant Engineer

• 2 years with Atkins

• Graduated from University of St Andrews in 2011

• Mathematics

• Based in Bristol

Emma Woodham

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About Us

• Assistant Engineer

• 2 years with Atkins

• Graduated from University of Manchester in 2009

• Physics

• Based in Bristol

Donna Law

© Atkins Limited 2012

Before you go...

Every assessment centre will be

different

Research how to get to the assessment centre. Public

transport, parking etc.

If you are unsure about dress code, smarter is better

Read all information provided carefully

Research the company and role

If you have any questions before

you go, ask!

Prepare questions for the day

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Before you go...

REMEMBER:

Assessment Centres are as much about you picking somewhere you would like to work as a company assessing

you!

Try not to be nervous

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On the day..

Arrive early... But not too early

Don’t be nervous

Be polite and friendly to everyone,

receptionists, other candidates etc.

Read all instructions

carefully

Ask if you don’t understand anything

Treat each exercise separately – if you think you

have done badly put it behind you and move onto

the next one

Concentrate on the competencies

being assessed

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On the day... Time

9.00 - 9.40 Intro and Presentation

9.45 -

10.15 Technical Test

Competency

interview

Competency

interview

Competency

interview

10.15 -

10.45

Competency

interview

Competency

interview

Competency

interview Technical Test

10.45 -

11.00 Coffee Break

11.00 -

11.30 Technical

Interview

Technical

Interview

Technical

Interview Written Exercise

11.30 -

12.00

12.00 -

12.30 Written Exercise

Technical

Interview

Technical

Interview

Technical

Interview 12.30 -

1.00

1.00 - 1.40 Lunch Break

1.45 - 2.30 Discussion Exercise

2.30 - 3.00 Presentation

Exercise

Presentation

Exercise

Presentation

Exercise

3.00 - 3.30 Presentation

Exercise

Presentation

Exercise

Presentation

Exercise

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On the day...

Intro and

Presentation

Competency interview

Technical Test

Coffee Break

Written Exercise

Technical Interview

Lunch Break

Presentation Exercise

• An opportunity to find out more about

the company and role

• Good opportunity to ask any questions

• Decide if you would like to work at the

company

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On the day...

Intro and Presentation

Competency

interview

Technical Test

Coffee Break

Written Exercise

Technical Interview

Lunch Break

Presentation Exercise

• Similar across different companies

• It’s possible to pre-prepare answers

• Examples can be from any area of your life:

• Part Time work

• Work experience

• Sports Teams

• Extra Curricular Activities

• Course Work

• Competencies Assessed include:

• Leadership

• Team Work

• Communication

• Problem Solving

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Competency Interview

Example Questions:

Describe a situation where you implemented change

Tell me about a time when you had to deal with conflict within a team

Provide an example of a time when you overcame a problem

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Competency Interview

What the interviewers are looking for:

Positive Approach

Willing to take on a challenge

Able to complete a task

Open to working in different environments

Flexible

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On the day...

Intro and Presentation

Competency interview

Technical Test

Coffee Break

Written Exercise

Technical Interview

Lunch Break

Discussion Exercise

Presentation Exercise

• Keep calm

• Read all questions carefully

• You are not expected to be an expert

• Its okay to admit you don’t know the

answer

• Don’t be afraid to ask for further

information

© Atkins Limited 2012

On the day...

Intro and Presentation

Competency interview

Technical Test

Coffee Break

Written Exercise

Technical Interview

Lunch Break

Discussion Exercise

Presentation

Exercise

• Focus on competencies being

assessed

• Report writing

• Presentation skills

• Expressing arguments

• Providing reasons behind your

arguments

• Communication

• Ability to answer questions

• Don’t focus too much on content

© Atkins Limited 2012

On the day...

Intro and Presentation

Competency interview

Technical Test

Coffee Break

Written Exercise

Technical Interview

Lunch Break

Discussion

Exercise

Presentation

Exercise

• Varies a lot between companies

• Focus on competencies being assessed

• Team Work

• Communication

• Understanding the question

• Working within a time limit

• Initiative

Most importantly – Get Involved!

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To stand out on the day

Stay engaged and look interested

Ask lots of questions

Do your homework

Think outside the box

Stay positive

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After the day...

• You should hear back within a week

• Always ask for feedback

• Even if you are not successful, every interview or assessment

centre is good practice

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