GSK - Engineering and Science Graduate Programmes
Interview process
There were different stages before the final offer gets made. Initial online application, included several 250 word answers to questions about me, my skills, cover letter and their relation to the healthcare industry. Then I had to complete two aptitude tests online. Once that was through, I had to attend a telephone interview, but I was abroad at the time so it was conducted via Skype. It was really nice of them to accommodate this need. I was invited to an assessment day.
It was a two day assessment centre. This by far the most grueling assessment centre I have been to and was completely knackered by the end of it. Every one was really nice and helpful and they really go the extra mile to woo you.
It was a two day assessment centre. This by far the most grueling assessment centre I have been to and was completely knackered by the end of it. Every one was really nice and helpful and they really go the extra mile to woo you.
Most difficult question
The most difficult questions in the interview revolved around thinking about previous situations in which I thought I had been successful and I was asked to consider what I would have done differently to have been even more successful. For instance if I had been asked to think of an example where you led a team to complete a task, the follow up question would be what could you have done differently to complete the task more efficiently?
Interview tips
Use STAR technique to answer the questions. It's a big deal. So research it online and make sure you've got some solid examples from your own experiences to refer to.
This will help with the trickier competency based questions that they throw at you.
This will help with the trickier competency based questions that they throw at you.
Experiences at the assessment centre
So the assessment centre had following stages:
A Group exercise - Given a scenario, we had to come up with a solution while assessors observed,. After abut 20 minutes, we had to present and this is when they asked really stupid, smart, difficult questions. Those who didn't answer any questions were specifically spotted, probably not a good thing.
Role Play - I was given a situation and I was told that I was going to lead the team and there was a problem which I had to solve as the leader of the team. I got given 15 minutes to prepare and another 15 to ask what I needed to solve that problem.
Presentation - In formation as given beforehand and had to present my information relating to the brief that was given on the day to two assessors. This was followed by a 10 minutes Q&A session where I had to answer questions about my chosen subject and why I made the decisions you did.
Interview - Same as telephone interview, competency based questions and the motivation to work for the company.
A Group exercise - Given a scenario, we had to come up with a solution while assessors observed,. After abut 20 minutes, we had to present and this is when they asked really stupid, smart, difficult questions. Those who didn't answer any questions were specifically spotted, probably not a good thing.
Role Play - I was given a situation and I was told that I was going to lead the team and there was a problem which I had to solve as the leader of the team. I got given 15 minutes to prepare and another 15 to ask what I needed to solve that problem.
Presentation - In formation as given beforehand and had to present my information relating to the brief that was given on the day to two assessors. This was followed by a 10 minutes Q&A session where I had to answer questions about my chosen subject and why I made the decisions you did.
Interview - Same as telephone interview, competency based questions and the motivation to work for the company.
Interview steps
Interviews:
- Phone
- 1:1
- Group / Panel
- Senior Management
- Video
Tests:
- Numerical
- Personality
- Verbal reasoning
- Psychometric
Other:
- Assessment centre
- Group exercise
- Background check
- Presentation
- Competency based questions