FDM Group Interview Questions & Answers

There were three five minute interviews that consisted of 4 questions each. Interviewers were all friendly but did not prompt you for anything on your answers to the questions.
1 interview was about my interest in the company/IT
1 was about my degree
1 was about my and my qualities e.g. is change always a good thing?

Would I sacrifice the quality of my work in order to meet a deadline

Be confident and friendly. They were all friendly so it's good to be relaxed with that to show your true personality. One guy pointed out a mistake on the presentation given by the centre manager...don't do that as she wasn't impressed.
Take lunch or take money to buy lunch from the station.

There were 13 of us but we weren't competing for a set number of places. 3 interviews, a 1 hour aptitude test, 30 min maths tests and 1 hour Venn diagram test, you were given a booklet on how to answer in the format of these. Lunch was not provided but got an hour to go out and buy something.

The initial telephone interview was only about 20 minutes and was with the graduate recruitment team. It was a general and casual conversation asking questions like "tell me about yourself" and talking through experiences on my CV and also because it was a graduate position there were mostly questions on my degree and also my motivations of choosing my degree and if I would have chosen something different. It wasn't difficult as I had a relevant degree and modules it was natural to describe why I wanted to join the graduate programme.

In terms of difficult questions there wasn't anything that stood out to me as particularly challenging as the whole conversation was focused on my motivation for the role and how my degree choice reflected this. I found that the most difficult questions for graduate interviews are not competency questions, but those asking what influenced your choice in applying for that position or the industry and how this can be demonstrated in your CV. This can either be through degree subject or past work experiences and Internships.

For the general interview it's always a good idea to know your motivations for applying for the job and what you have in your CV that supports this. Not only does it answer the direct question of "Why did you choose your degree" but also reflects in the other answers candidates may give. For graduates, our biggest asset on our CV is our degree and we should be enthusiastic about where this leads us.

The assessment centre came after the successful phone interview and it took place at their London offices. It was a group of about 14 candidates (only about 3 girls). It was initially a group exercise which was to prepare for a presentation. We were in a group of 4 and were given the days copy of City AM and the task was to pick and interesting article and present it back to the team as a discussion. What I found interesting about this was that the task highlighted the different backgrounds which our team members came from. We had someone with an International Management, Computer Science, Psychology and Mathematics. This influenced which article we chose to present. The International Manager headed towards financial and economical news - which was surely a topic the other teams would go for. This was a problem because the rest of us had problems understanding the language in the article and seemed difficult to present on a topic 3/4 of the team had no knowledge about. In the end, we settled on the article which was discussing the issue around shops opening on Sunday during the Olympic Games. Instead of just reciting the article our group split up to argue the case for and against opening on Sundays.

Very easy, very standard phone interview. Basic questions, why FDM and why PMO. Followed with a few competency based questions. Lasted 10-15mins

Followed on with a numerical reasoning test which was fairly straightforward.

After completing this i was sent a programmer proficiency test. This was not assessed as i was not applying for a programming role but was supposed to be to give a base set of data for future results.

None. All as expected

Brush up on your simple mental maths and working out sums on paper. Also study venn diagrams and the different way these can be used.

For the programmer questions read the instructions and just try to follow these as accurately as possible. I have never done programming but must have done well enough!

As previously said, be as clear and concise as possible in the interviews and make sure that you answer the questions before the time runs out.

Finally, when shown the contract try to have a good read of it. They do explain it to you but it is still best to have a good read through yourself so that you understand all that it involves.

There were maybe 9-10 of us all applying for different roles and the day started off with a video introducing the company.

Following this there was a HR talk about the company and the contract. This is important as in this role and most with FDM, you have to commit to 10-12weeks of unpaid training in one of their offices. Following on from this you must work for FDM for 2 years otherwise you have to pay them back for the training which equates to about £20k. They lay this out pretty clearly and it is a win win situation as you get training and two years experience in a good role and they get cheap employees for two years.

After the HR talk there were quite a few tests. These consisted of simple numerical reasoning tests but also programmer aptitude tests and a test on venn diagrams. Each one lasted approximately 1 hour and were fairly challenging as you couldn't use a calculator.

We then had a break for lunch after which we had interviews. These interviews were split up into 3 separate 5 minute interviews with different interviewers. Each interview focused on a different set of competencies and probed deeply into your examples. In each interview you were asked 4 questions in the 5 minutes so you had to be clear and concise with your answers. If you do not get finished in the time limit they will stop you and move you on to the next interview.

A very straightforward interview that allowed the interviewer and candiadate to build a relationship from word go. A phone interview that lasted 20 minutes, covering basic university and career desires. We covered Maths exams, diagramatic reasoning and verbal reasoning tests that revealed how numerical we were.

Describe success in three words. This was hard because it was subjective and personal. Therefore, it put you on your back foot. Another question was describe what differentiates you from someone else.

Prepare early, practice Venn Diagrams. Mock interviews and take care to look at your interviewers. Ensure that you dress smartly with a CV with you, this helps to stand you out instantly. Ensure that you know the organisation inside out covering their mission, vision, company values and concepts.

Venn Diagram test, 1 hour test whereby you describe set notations. A Maths test, 1 hour long test that tries to understand your level of basic Mathematics skills. 5 min interviews, times 3. Speed dating in an interview context.

The first interview was a telephone interview asking general questions, for example. What did you study? What skills do you have that will be suitable for the role? Why FDM? Why IT? It was a short interview no more than 10 minutes.

I was successful and then invited for an assessment day two weeks later. There were eight of us and we went into a room called a fish bowl, the offices were new and modern. We were first given a short introduction about the company from one of the recruitment team and then we had to stand and give a short introduction about ourselves on what we studied and where we heard about FDM. We.We then transported to another meeting room, where we stayed most of the day, and a member of HR gave a powerpoint presentation and a sample contract to look at. Followed by the numerical test (no calculator), it wasn't too bad but I did practise beforehand but during test situations it feels different as always, the test contained addition, factors, multiplication, percentages, fractions, simultaneous equations and Pythagorus. I was lucky to have a 15 minute break with another prospective, while the others started interviewing. We went to the kitchen and met someone who spoke well of FDM. He said the business pathway was 8 weeks and technical is 12 weeks (can also be paid whilst training).

I had three interviews back to back, they were short. My first one was about my degree and asked, what my degree was, my result, whether I was happy with it, my project, what would I change about my degree and what modules I liked in my degree. Second interview was a personality one and lastly one about why FDM and IT. The interviewers are friendly but do prepare to say as much as you can in a short time.

We then had another test straight afterwards the aptitude test, consisting of 50 questions. They were okay some questions were tricky they had some puzzles, personality questions, programming and basic IT questions, like what is SQL, what does a service manager do, why go from IP4 to IP6..

After a quick lunch of 45 minutes with the other applicants, we sat down for our final test on Venn diagrams and Set notation. There are four parts the last part was the hardest and the test was okay until the last part where you had produce a 3 set venn diagram and find quantities in each set. I did run out of time.

Do you like to work on many different projects? Is change a good thing? What would you change about your degree or modules in your degree? How do you balance your time and time with your friends?

Practise some interview questions with a friend. They email you information about your assessment day and supply helpful links to help you revise for the test. Dress smart. The environment is friendly and you wouldn't feel in competition with the other candidates when you are there, so try not to worry.

There were eight of us, we sat the numerical, aptitude and venn diagram tests together. Then split into groups of 2 when interviewing.

My telephone interview lasted around 10-15 minutes, however it was cut short as I discovered that I would be required to be geographically flexiable and unfortuanly I can only stay within Manchester area. Apart from that, they sound a phenomenal company to work for and I believe that the interview went well, up until that point.

It wasn't a difficult question but I was asked what the graduate scheme included and what the company's past is. (typical telephone interview questions). However, with the correct research this should be easy to answer. Always do the revision on the company and the scheme.

Research as much as you physically can. Have about a page of notes ready and try to think of questions they may answer. Google 'Telephone Interview Questions' look through and figure out what you think may be right or wrong for the company and write the answer. If it doesn't get asked, no matter only a little time wasted, if they ask a question you are not prepared for, you may not get the job.

I did not attend so I cannot answer.

My initial telephone interview was with a member of their graduate recruitment team which lasted 10 mins. We had an inital chat about my CV and why I applied for the company and the interviewer questioned whether I would like to work in the Asia Pacific area.
After a few hours, I was told I passed the phone interview and was put to the next stage which was the assessment center.

On the day of the assessment center, there were eight of us and we were all waiting in the same area and room. During the time, we were either waiting or having our interviews. Interview consisted of one sype interview with an account in hong kong and the other interview was a face to face interviewer from the UK. The UK interviewer was asking basis questions in regards to your CV whilst the other skyoe interview was based on the job and why I wanted a position there and which role I thought was suitable for myself.

After the two interviews we had our numerical test. This was basis maths such as subtraction and multiplication and factors. (nothing to complicated) After this test we had the HR talk in regards to our contract and what they expected from us an what are the consequences.

We had lunch after that and straight after lunch we had two 1hour exam. One was based on questions about IT and the other was based on Venn diagram.

Finally we had a tour around the office.

I got my reply the next day that I was successful.

Describe was your weakness is and how you overcome it?

stay professional, no slang words invoid. Talk to other candiates. Talk as much as you can and sell yourself. Smile to anyone that passes you. If in doubt ask as many questions you want. Be prepared to sit all day.

individual assessment based on maths, IT and venn diagrams

First I received a call for a phone interview which was very basic:
Why FDM?
Why you chose your degree?
Where do you see your self in five years?
Why I.T?
Then I was told straight away, I am through to the assessment centre. Was given a tour of the organisation. Then had to introduce ourselves as an icebreaker. Overall it was a comfortable environment.

"Describe a situation where you had to respond to demand?"

Research the company, have examples to relate to, brush up on communicating skills. don't go unprepared otherwise you will trip up, there are 3 5 minute interviews all competency based, they are all very friendly interviewers just relax and say what you got to say in a concise style.

3 tests, first was a maths test very easy nothing to worry about, brush up on GCSE maths. 2nd was an aptitude test, some I.T related stuff on there so maybe just research a little. Third was ven diagram, very confusing if you dont prepare, was challenging.

There were three stages to the assessment centre. The morning session entailed a group activity. This second phase included a 1-1 interview and the final process included a paper-based test.

What was the most difficult decision you have had to make in the last 12 months and how fill that affect your future?

Make sure you carry out extensive research before going to the assessment centre.

It was a very competitive atomosphere but the experience has prepared me for future assessment centres.

Having made an online application I was contacted by a member of their graduate recruitment team within about an hour to book a telephone interview within the next few days. That telephone consisted of simply asking why I had applied, what interested me about IT and what I liked about FDM specifically. I was then told that I had passed the telephone interview stage and was asked to book an assessment day. The assessment day consisted of three tests; mathematics, set notation and Venn diagrams and aptitude tests. Also, there were to be three, five minute interviews consisting of four set questions each. On arrival we were given a short introductory presentation as well as the opportunity to ask any questions regarding the positions available. We were also given a tour of the office and encouraged to ask people there questions. Then we had to fill in a form which asked for, amongst other things, any modules that we had failed and any criminal convictions we had that were not yet spent. Then we had the first of the three tests, which lasted an hour, followed by the three interviews. In the interviews it was stressed that the interviewer would ask just the four questions; they would not ask anything to follow up on what you had said or encourage you to answer more fully in any way, so it was up to you to say as much as you could about anything they asked, especially considering the fact that each interview was only five minutes. Then we had the second test, broke for lunch, and then the final test afterwards.

The mathematical test was GCSE standard and not difficult at all; however, having used a calculator for three years of study, suddenly being asked to do mental arithmetic was a bit of a struggle. Also, the aptitude test contained some tricky questions relating to probabilities and coding, but for the most part wasn't too bad.

Practice mental arithmetic if you feel that you might struggle without a calculator and think about how you would answer interview questions in a short space of time, whilst giving as full an answer as possible; the questions themselves are fairly standard, apart from one which was "what does success look like to you", which is just one of those where you have to think on your feet a little bit.

A GCSE-level mathematical test, without a calculator; a GCSE/A level Venn diagram and set notation test; an aptitude test, which included logic problems, questions about defining IT-related terms (such as SQL), coding problems and the sort of problems you might expect on an IQ test.