Higher the Talent Interview Questions & Answers

Initial telephone interview lasted about 20 minutes with one of the higher ups in the graduate recruitment team. I was asked what attracted to me the role, my skills, strengths and weaknesses and what skills I would like to develop. We also discussed my experiences that were listed on my CV and additional hobbies. I was finally invited to an assessment centre and I was informed of the details of said assessment centre.

Have you ever had a bad experience with an employer, and explain what happened and how it was resolved?

Be very outgoing and loud at the assessment centre. It seemed as though that's what the company was looking for. Be well rehearsed in your answers to general questions in regards to why you would want the position, what motivates you and your strengths and weaknesses.

An elevator pitch.
Then split into pairs, given 5 minutes to interview each other, and then gives 3 minutes to prepare a 1 minute presentation on your partner which had then to be delivered to the group.
Finally was a survival task, where we were split into 2 groups of approximately 10. The scenario was that we were stranded on a rubber dinghy in the middle of an ocean, and we had 15 items. The wask was to rank the items in terms of their importance

First was an initial phone interview where I was challenged on my reasons for wanting the job and my skills and competencies. Other things discussed was my current situation (university, living arrangements etc). Then I was invited to attend the assessment day. Here, the day was composed of various stages and exercises. You had to pass each stage and you were assessed on each exercise on your abilities such as teamwork, interpersonal skills, leadership skills, communication etc. The final task was the last chance to really sell yourself to a small panel on why you should be chosen for the job.

Questions relating to the group exercise - reasons to back up your decisions made relating to the sample scenario.

Be absolutely realistic about the anticipated outcome. Don't get your hopes up too early (just because you pass the first few stages). You have to be incisive, punchy, and powerful from the second you start and you need to maintain this throughout. Be natural and take charge as soon as you get the chance to (group exercise!!) but not unprofessional where you end up shouting over everyone. Above all, you have to stand out, physically and verbally.

The first task was an elevator pitch where we had to introduce ourselves, our general background and most importantly why we want the job.

The second task was a paired exercise where we were required to question and converse with our partner on why they want the job, why they would be best suited to the job and also things to do with their general background, skills, competencies, education history etc. Our partner then had to do the same to us. Then we had to report back to the rest of the group. In essence, we had to effectively "sell" the individual we had a few minutes to learn about.

The third task was a group exercise where we were given a sample scenario and we had to effectively communicate with each other, work as a team, project our views etc to come to a final, group, informed decision.

The final task was a final chance to really sell yourself to a small panel. You had 20 minutes beforehand to prepare the 3 minute pitch. You had to really stamp out and emphasise why you should be given the job, how your skills, past jobs, past experiences relate to the job and why you would be best suited for it. The panel would then ask you questions. (In my case, they didn't ask me much!)

You had to PASS each stage.

Initial telephone interview was first carried out, followed by an invitation to attend the assessment centre. Here, we did various exercises, first an elevator pitch, followed by a paired exercise, then a group exercise then a final individual pitch. The whole process from start to finish, lasted for just under 3 hours.

Those to do with the group exercise - where we were challenged on our decisions.

Be realistic about whether it would be best suited for the type of person you are, before agreeing to attend the assessment centre. It's simply not enough to have fantastic skills, abilities, talents, and good solid grades. You need to be able to really stand out from such a small group, physically and verbally.

N.B. You had to pass each stage to get to the next.

First task: had to briefly introduce ourselves, university, degree etc.

Second task: a paired exercise where we had to interview another individual and vice versa about some of their background, education, career aspirations etc. Then, we were required to present the individual we interviewed to the rest of the group.

Third task: a group exercise where we all had to work together to figure out how to overcome a given scenario.

Final stage: Given 20 minutes to prepare a 3 minute individual presentation as the final chance to really sell yourself (skills, abilities, ambitions, hobbies/interests, why you would be best suited for the job etc).