Interviews andselection centres

Peter WakelamBusiness Improvement Programme Manager

Agenda

• The recruitment process• Assessment Centres• Activity One• The BT Competencies• Activity Two• Face to face interviews• Activity Three• Hints and tips• Questions and answers

The recruitment process

AssessmentCentre

A mix of capability interviews, role play scenarios and paper

based tests.

AssessmentCentre

A mix of capability interviews, role play scenarios and paper

based tests.

Your career starts here

Your career starts here

Interview and Testing

A mix of online psychometric tests

and telephone interviews.

Interview and Testing

A mix of online psychometric tests

and telephone interviews.

CV andApplication

Form

Standard online application system.

CV andApplication

Form

Standard online application system.

Preparing for assessment centres

• Know the company– understand the company’s business– think about what they are looking for in you

• values, capabilities, and skills• what are you assessed against?

– be familiar with the role/graduate scheme

• Know yourself– be familiar with your application form– understand your strengths and weaknesses

Activity One - Knowing the company

• In pairs:– List 5 products or services that your potential employer provide.– Now describe them – does your partner understand your description?

What do BT provide?

• Technology consumables • Phone book• 21CN• VOIP• Business process consultancy • Information management• Networked IT service provider• Government policy advisor• Software development and deployment• Future technology development• Core and emergency communication network• Broadcast / On Demand TV• Media and Broadcast Solutions • Sub-sea cables

• Manage historic and cultural land marks

• BT Community Connections• BT Education Programme• BT Satellite Services• BT Yahoo internet• Connected Earth Museums• CRM & Contact Centres• Security and Compliance consultancy• Identity Management• Operational Risk Management• Applications Management and Hosting• Carbon Impact assessment –

Sustainable practices.• Network Design• Wholesale access

What employers are looking for throughout the process

• BT Competencies

• Showing these competencies at all stages of the application process is as important as having good examples to answer the questions

• These competencies remain a key part of employee assessment and development once you are in the business. They are an integral part of the companies identity and employees are expected to show them at all times.

The BT recruitment competencies• Create Strategy • Customer Connected We put customers at the centre of all we do• Bottom Line We own BT’s performance - profitable growth and customer satisfaction• Inspiring We create and deliver new possibilities• Align for Execution • Heart We win hearts and minds, mobilising others behind BT’s strategy• Drive for Results We drive for business improvement for BT and our customers• Helpful We work as one team for customer success• Lead Others • Trustworthy Trusted to do the right thing, by customers, colleagues and partners• Straightforward Making things simple for our customers, colleagues and partners• Coaching for Performance We help individuals and teams achieve their full potential

• Personal Qualities• Resilience & Confidence Flexibility & Agility Learning Orientation

Activity Two – can you relate?

• In pairs:– Think of an example of something you’ve

achieved and relate it to the BT values.Customer ConnectedBottom LineInspiring

HeartDrive for resultsHelpful

TrustworthyStraightforwardCoaching for performance

Preparing for the day:Assessment centre activities

• Interviews– based on competencies / skills

• A group task• A one-to-one management task• Aptitude tests

• Meeting other applicants – the start of your BT network!• The assessment centre is not a competition and requires you

to work with others

• Remember the BT leadership capabilities

• You’ll be told when your assessed

• Take each activity as it comes

Format of a Face to Face Interview

• In general:– Most located at employers offices – Interviewer(s) will introduce themselves and talk to you

about what will happen in the interview– Most interviews will last for 60 - 90 minutes– Often competency based questions but occasionally also

look at career motivation/work experience– Chance for you to ask questions

Interview Preparation

1. Prepare for the Interview• Prior to the interview read through your application form• Re-read the job advert or graduate website• Research the company• Practice answering questions with a friend• Gather together any questions that you might want to ask

the interviewer - have these in a typed format. Do not ask about financial package

Interview Preparation (continued)

2. Prepare Yourself!– Ensure that you are relaxed – get your suit out the night

before, check your travel arrangements, re-read your application form

– Ensure you know who you are going to be asking for when you arrive and arrive at least 15 MINUTES before the interview

– Ensure that you are smartly dressed, clean and have combed your hair

During the Interview

• Non Verbal Communication– Your Handshake – Your Posture– Eye Contact– Your hands– Don’t fidget

The Interview

• Why have you applied to us? – Demonstrate that you are serious about the organisation

• Capability questions– How have you dealt with a difficult situation– When have you had to take on additional responsibility– When have you had to achieve a difficult task or goal– When have you had to challenge unacceptable behaviour

• What do you think you can bring to the role/organisation?

Activity Three – Interviews, are you prepared?

• In pairs:– 20 minutes each– 10 minutes per question– Interviewee - Remember we are looking for specifics– Interviewee – Remember to answer the question– Interviewer – think about what feedback you can give

afterwards – how clear were the answers, how articulate was your partner, how much did their answer show that they could be Customer Focused and Inspiring?

Feedback

• 5 Minutes– Now just spend a few minutes giving each other some

feedback

• Group Feedback– Are there any concerns?– How did you find the exercise? – What was useful about it?

Hints and Tips

• Be pleasant to everyone-the interview effectively starts as soon as you’ve entered the building

• Take your time• Don’t just give 1 or 2 word answers• Listen to the question and what is being asked • Make the research your own – don’t be afraid to ask questions • Be aware of the tone and rhythm of your voice• Don’t over prepare• Expect pauses from the interviewer• Smile!