How to Ace Your Job Interview

Each week, we run assessment centres across our world-wide FDM centres. Once applicants have passed the video and telephone interview stage, attending an assessment day will be the final step in their application into joining our award-winning academies. Below you will find a handy guide to help you quash any fears you may have about the assessment day with some tips, advice and direction in how to equip for the session.

When preparing for a job interview, there are four top tips you need to consider:

1. Dress smartly – First impressions are crucial, so make yours a positive one. In our FDM academies, we follow a business attire dress code.
2. Timing is key – Trial run your commute in advance by looking at transport timetables. Set plenty of alarms to ensure you’re up and ready to seize the day on time.
3. Be positive and engaged – This is the chance to show off your passion for the field, and that you’re ready to work with us to kick-start your career in the technology and business industry.
4. Research the company – Confidence is key when in an interview session. Read up about the company in advance and be prepared to answer questions about what we do, what we offer, and why you would be a perfect fit for our programme.

How does FDM evaluate their candidates?

We’re always on the lookout for how we can improve our candidates’ experience of assessment days. We previously used competency-based questions which aimed to see evidence for candidates’ use of certain skills in a work or university environment. FDM now use strength-based interview questions, which focus on what you as a candidate are good at doing and enjoy, rather than what you can do. This allows us to see how well each applicant would perform in a certain environment or role if they were chosen for the position.  We understand that applicants to our Graduate Programme may not have a lot of work experience to reference, which is why we’ve taken to this style of interviewing. We know that when a candidate is talking about something they enjoy, they will give a more pleasurable interview, and we want to see your passion and enthusiasm shine.

How can I answer these questions?

• Be clear. When answering strength-based questions, it is important to try and state the general answer to the question from the get-go. Make the direction of your response clear and precise.
• Examples are KEY! Use a relevant example from your time at university, a hobby or any work experience. Talk through the example and tailor it towards answering the question; do not make the example a story.
• What is the point? Bring your answer to a close by stating how your example proves the point you are making. How did the result affect you or others? What did you gain from the result? If the result was not effective, what could you do better?

What questions can I expect?

We randomly select questions from a bank which are shared across our worldwide centres. Each week, a set of four to six questions are chosen and used in the three banks of interviews. Here are some examples of the type of questions you may receive:

• Tell me about a hobby that you really enjoy
• How would you approach a close deadline when you still have tasks left to complete?
• When did you last experience a setback and overcame it positively?
• What is it about the technology industry that appeals to you?
• Would you say you like to be flexible in your job, or do you prefer to know what you’re doing each day?
• Do you think personal and professional development is important in the workplace? Why?

We wish you the very best of luck in your assessment centre and we cannot wait for you to join us for your first day in one of our academies.

This is an updated version of a post we published in 2015.