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    Application zone

    Selection process
    hints and tips

    Familiarise yourself with our recruitment process 

Perfect your application with our hints and tips

We’re here to help you succeed every step of the way. Discover how to prepare for your application, online assessments, interviews and Assessment Centre. These resources will give you the confidence and knowledge you need to put your best foot forward throughout our recruitment process.

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Application tips

  • Submitting your application shouldn’t take too long if you’re prepared. We recommend you complete your application on a laptop or desktop rather than a phone. Before you start, make sure your CV is up to date and ready to upload.   
  • Your CV should work backwards from your most recent work experience or education, so what you’ve been doing most recently is the first thing we see. For your work experience, include your responsibilities, job title and achievements.  
  • Make sure you include dates of all of your education, work experience and previous employers as well. And keep it concise – your CV shouldn’t be longer than two pages.

Once you’ve submitted your application, you may be asked to take some online assessments to identify whether you have the right skills for the role you’ve applied to. You’ll be provided full instructions in the email inviting you to participate, which will include how long you have to complete the assessments. You’ll have a few days in which to do it so make sure you set aside a time when you can concentrate fully on the task at hand.  

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Online assessment tips

  • Manage your time : most online assessments are timed. Get comfortable with answering questions quickly and accurately. Learn to move on if you get stuck on a difficult question, as time is of the essence. If you are given the opportunity to practice, make sure you use it! 
  • Create a suitable environment : find a quiet and distraction-free space to take the assessment. Ensure you have a reliable internet connection and that your computer or device is fully charged.  
  • Read instructions carefully : take your time to understand the instructions for each assessment. Different tests may have specific rules or requirements.  
  • Stay calm and focused : don’t let time pressure or difficult questions overwhelm you. The assessments are used to assess your skills, not to catch you out.
  • Avoid distractions : ensure that notifications on your device are turned off, and you won’t be interrupted during the assessment.  

Because we believe in diversity, we won’t ask everyone the same question. Instead, we’ll get to know you to understand if you’re the right fit for us and we’re the right fit for you. Things you can do to prepare for your interview:  

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  • Remind yourself of what’s in your application, as we’ll start with questions about your background and experience  
  • Always be yourself. We want to get to know you. Be ready to explain to us why you want to work with us.  
  • Be confident and share your passions, what you hope to achieve from the role, and where you hope your career will take you.    
  • Demonstrate what you, and only you, will bring to the role. This is your opportunity to stand out. You can share a story or experience that challenged you, and how you overcame that challenge. It doesn’t need to be finance related.  
  • Use the STAR method. Our assessors will ask you competency based questions. We recommend you prepare your answers based on the STAR method, which stands for Situation, Task, Action, Results. Make sure you’re able to describe the context of each situation, what needed to be done, the action you took and the results you saw.
  • Be prepared with questions you’d like to ask us.  You can ask us anything, we love hearing your questions about the role and the company. 

Assessment centres are designed to evaluate candidates comprehensively, so remember to showcase your skills, teamwork abilities, and positive attitude throughout the process. Even if you don’t succeed this time, view it as a valuable learning experience for future opportunities.

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  • Be prepared : research the format and the specific exercises you’ll be facing. Make sure you understand the competencies and skills we’re looking for the specific role.  
  • Dress for the day : present yourself in a polished and professional manner, even if your Assessment Centre is online. Follow any dress code guidelines we send you.  
  • Arrive early : if physically attending our offices, plan your journey in advance and aim to arrive early. Being punctual shows your commitment and reliability, and avoids you arriving flustered!  
  • Stay positive and confident : keep a positive attitude throughout the day and approach each exercise with confidence. Believing in your abilities will help you to stay composed under pressure. 
  • Engage with others : interact with your fellow candidates respectfully and professionally. Assessors will be observing how candidates interact with one another. 
  • Listen carefully : pay close attention to instructions provided by assessors for each exercise. Make sure you fully understand what is expected of you, and feel free to ask for clarity if necessary. 
  • Be yourself : while it’s essential to showcase your skills, don’t try to be someone you’re not. Be authentic and let your true personality shine through. You were invited for a reason! 

Watch our hints and tips videos

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