L&C - Trainee Mortgage and Protection Adviser (Newcastle)
Interview process
My initial telephone interview was with Jim Selley recruitment manager and lasted about 30 minutes. It was competence based questions where you were asked general questions like why have you applied for the job, where have you were before. What targets have you have to achieve, how successful you were. Examples of where you have worked hard etc. I was then invited to do a maths and English test online. This I found fine, you may want to have google open as there were some word association tests and some unusual words used. I then took part in a sales role play over the telephone where I was asked to play the part of a travel agent selling a trip to mexico, I had to identify which holiday was most applicable and sell it to the caller. I passed this stage and then had another online quiz which was more of a personality test this is very straight forward.
The face to face interview was took by Jim Selley and Geoff Spours contact centre manager. I would definitely recommend you wear shirt and tie as everyone is well dressed as you would expect. I would say theres a greater men to women ratio. The people all seemed nice and friendly.
The face to face interview was took by Jim Selley and Geoff Spours contact centre manager. I would definitely recommend you wear shirt and tie as everyone is well dressed as you would expect. I would say theres a greater men to women ratio. The people all seemed nice and friendly.
Most difficult question
I don't think any questions were difficult it was more a chance to get to know each other. They asked me about my history and my CV. I asked if they were looking for me to identify anything particular and he said no. I should have asked what is it your specifically looking for me to demonstrate as I felt Jim got a bit closed off when I asked this and he was like no just a general idea of your history. This left me in the dark about what they wanted me to show and I felt I waffled on a bit. I can sell Im a top seller in my current role but nerves got the better of me and all of my facts and figures went out of my head. I was asked about specific results and I actually under sold myself. I think the warmth of the office had a big impact as it was making me feel sick. I know if I was given the opportunity I would have earned £45,000 in year one as Im hard working, conscientious and thorough. Ive a sound understanding of mortgages having worked for Abbey in the past and Im very determined. Its a shame that they couldn't see this due to my nerves. I felt slightly uncomfortable selling myself as its a long time since I had a interview.
Interview tips
Find out about company knowledge and sell yourself at interview. Have some questions ready for the end about the business. I had these ready but time was running out so I didn't ask them. There was a maths and English test online and sales role play. All very straight forward, when selling the holiday make sure you offer the travel insurance and extra leg room and asked if they wish to book. Have a pen, paper and calculator ready for the online tests
Experiences at the assessment centre
there's no assessment day,.
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