Online Application
The first part of the application process required me to submit my CV. No cover letter was required. After that I had to answer a series of 3 questions. The first question was about my experience and why I thought I would be a good fit for the job and company. The second one asked about how I put my free time to use (especially during the Covid-19 lockdown) to improve myself and learn new skills. The last one asked about my opinion on what I think are the most important things humanity needs to achieve to shape a better future for itself.
How to respond for success
Since I was applying for the Business & Enterprise programme, I had to tailor my CV to reflect that experience. Most of the activities highlighted on my CV were business projects as a result. However, since Rolls-Royce is an aerospace company, I also highlighted my engineering technical knowledge to a smaller extent. Similarly, I included hobbies related to aerospace such as gliding, and being part of my university’s rocket team. This further demonstrated my passion for the aerospace industry.
I used the STAR technique throughout my application and made sure the skills demonstrated in my CV were in line with Rolls-Royce’s values and behaviours. I believe this is what helped me stand out.
Expect a 3 day wait before advancing to the next stage. /
Online Tests
For the online test Stage, there is a situational judgement assessment, a logical reasoning assessment and a personality assessment.
The Situational Judgement and Personality assessment are not timed and simulate a work environment to assess how you would act. It could be responding to emails from colleagues or choosing the best response to a particular problem encountered in your team. The personality assessment as it says tries to assess your personality and how you would fit within Rolls-Royce's culture.
The logical reasoning assessment is timed and fairly short (6 minutes or so). It involves a series of general questions to test your ability to solve complex problems. Questions could involve identifying a pattern within a sequence or simple mathematical problems.
I didn’t do any “real” preparation for this stage, except studying Rolls-Royce’s values and behaviours, making sure my internet connection was good, and being in a quiet place to concentrate.
Example
The Situational Judgement exercise, expect case studies placing you within a group project, and asking questions on the next course of action regarding a problem. This problem could be a project delay, or a colleague being discriminated against.
As for the personality test, it is not written. Most exercises are akin to multiple choice. The personality involves a slider, where you could be presented a statement and slide a cursor between “strongly disagree” and “strongly agree”.
How to respond for success
Something essential I did for the Situational Judgement and Personality assessments was to demonstrate Rolls-Royce's values (Trust, Integrity, and Safety) and behaviours (Agility, Boldness, Collaboration, and Simplicity) through my answers. Rolls-Royce really emphasises those.
Also try to be yourself as much as possible for the personality assessment. For the logical reasoning assessment, you don't have to complete every question (even though you should aim to) but try to get as many of them correct as possible. The key here is balancing speed and accuracy. I personally didn't complete all of them, but I got all the ones I answered correct.
Expect a 2 week wait before advancing to the next stage.
Assessment Centre
If you passed the online assessment, the recruitment team will review your skills. Should they be satisfactory, you will be invited to the assessment centre. The assessment centre is over Microsoft Teams and takes 4-5 hours. There are 3 main stages to this.
First there is the motivational and behavioural interview (approx. 50 mins). This interview is designed to put you at ease and to bring out your strengths regardless of how much experience you have had. It looks at why you want to work at Rolls-Royce and probes for key behaviours such as how you approach assignments, how you work with others and your attitude to learning.
Then there is the technical presentation (approx. 15 mins) to assess how you communicate your thinking. You are asked to prepare a 7-minute presentation ahead of the assessment centre on a topic of your choice, explaining something complex or technical to a non-specialist audience. The presentation is not formal and can be done in a format that suits you.
The last part is the case study (approx. 45 mins) to assess your approach to using information and solving problems. You will be provided with a case study including data presented in various forms (tables, maps etc.). You will have to analyse the data and answer specific questions, and finally explain your conclusions and thinking to the assessor.
Example
In the interview, expect behavioural based questions such as “Tell me a time you have worked with a difficult person” or “Why did you apply to Rolls-Royce, and for this particular role?”. Some technical questions related to the role you are applying for can also be asked.
For the case study, the information I was presented with related to the power generated by different sources of renewable energy (solar, hydroelectric, biofuels, etc.). I had to analyse their pros and cons and present a case as to why they would be suitable for use in a local community in Australia. My answers had to be backed with the data provided. Questions are case study specific.
For the presentation, questions are also going to be specific to your topic of choice but expect questions on how this topic can be related to Rolls-Royce or drive innovation in the aerospace industry.
How to respond for success
In order to stand out at the interview, I again made sure all of my answers were tailored to relate to Rolls-Royce’s values and behaviours. Additionally, instead of giving one answer to the questions asked, I gave 2 to 3 detailed answers to show I have done my research and am passionate.
For future candidates, I would advise to properly research Rolls-Royce, its recent developments, its culture. Assessors love when you know what you are talking about and show you have a clear interest in the company. I would also advise to do mock interviews, if possible, in preparation. Practice your answers and all the possible behavioural scenarios you can think of.
At the case study, take time to think and analyse the information. Do not answer too quick as the assessor want to see you thinking. Clearly explain your working and back your answers with the data.
For the presentation, communicate with clarity and simplicity. Be relaxed as some people tend to increase their speech pace when stressed. Relate some aspects of your presentation to Rolls-Royce.
Always ask questions at the end of each exercise, starting with personal questions to the assessor such as “What attracted you to Rolls-Royce?” or “What has been your career path?”, and don’t forget to send a thank you email at the end of the assessment centre.
Expect around a 3 day wait before receiving a call offering you a position.
Online Tests
For the online test Stage, there is a situational judgement assessment, a logical reasoning assessment and a personality assessment.
The Situational Judgement and Personality assessment are not timed and simulate a work environment to assess how you would act. It could be responding to emails from colleagues or choosing the best response to a particular problem encountered in your team. The personality assessment as it says tries to assess your personality and how you would fit within Rolls-Royce's culture.
The logical reasoning assessment is timed and fairly short (6 minutes or so). It involves a series of general questions to test your ability to solve complex problems. Questions could involve identifying a pattern within a sequence or simple mathematical problems.
I didn’t do any “real” preparation for this stage, except studying Rolls-Royce’s values and behaviours, making sure my internet connection was good, and being in a quiet place to concentrate.
Example
The Situational Judgement exercise, expect case studies placing you within a group project, and asking questions on the next course of action regarding a problem. This problem could be a project delay, or a colleague being discriminated against.
As for the personality test, it is not written. Most exercises are akin to multiple choice. The personality involves a slider, where you could be presented a statement and slide a cursor between “strongly disagree” and “strongly agree”.
How to respond for success
Something essential I did for the Situational Judgement and Personality assessments was to demonstrate Rolls-Royce's values (Trust, Integrity, and Safety) and behaviours (Agility, Boldness, Collaboration, and Simplicity) through my answers. Rolls-Royce really emphasises those.
Also try to be yourself as much as possible for the personality assessment. For the logical reasoning assessment, you don't have to complete every question (even though you should aim to) but try to get as many of them correct as possible. The key here is balancing speed and accuracy. I personally didn't complete all of them, but I got all the ones I answered correct.
Expect a 2 week wait before advancing to the next stage.
Assessment Centre
If you passed the online assessment, the recruitment team will review your skills. Should they be satisfactory, you will be invited to the assessment centre. The assessment centre is over Microsoft Teams and takes 4-5 hours. There are 3 main stages to this.
First there is the motivational and behavioural interview (approx. 50 mins). This interview is designed to put you at ease and to bring out your strengths regardless of how much experience you have had. It looks at why you want to work at Rolls-Royce and probes for key behaviours such as how you approach assignments, how you work with others and your attitude to learning.
Then there is the technical presentation (approx. 15 mins) to assess how you communicate your thinking. You are asked to prepare a 7-minute presentation ahead of the assessment centre on a topic of your choice, explaining something complex or technical to a non-specialist audience. The presentation is not formal and can be done in a format that suits you.
The last part is the case study (approx. 45 mins) to assess your approach to using information and solving problems. You will be provided with a case study including data presented in various forms (tables, maps etc.). You will have to analyse the data and answer specific questions, and finally explain your conclusions and thinking to the assessor.
Example
In the interview, expect behavioural based questions such as “Tell me a time you have worked with a difficult person” or “Why did you apply to Rolls-Royce, and for this particular role?”. Some technical questions related to the role you are applying for can also be asked.
For the case study, the information I was presented with related to the power generated by different sources of renewable energy (solar, hydroelectric, biofuels, etc.). I had to analyse their pros and cons and present a case as to why they would be suitable for use in a local community in Australia. My answers had to be backed with the data provided. Questions are case study specific.
For the presentation, questions are also going to be specific to your topic of choice but expect questions on how this topic can be related to Rolls-Royce or drive innovation in the aerospace industry.
How to respond for success
In order to stand out at the interview, I again made sure all of my answers were tailored to relate to Rolls-Royce’s values and behaviours. Additionally, instead of giving one answer to the questions asked, I gave 2 to 3 detailed answers to show I have done my research and am passionate.
For future candidates, I would advise to properly research Rolls-Royce, its recent developments, its culture. Assessors love when you know what you are talking about and show you have a clear interest in the company. I would also advise to do mock interviews, if possible, in preparation. Practice your answers and all the possible behavioural scenarios you can think of.
At the case study, take time to think and analyse the information. Do not answer too quick as the assessor want to see you thinking. Clearly explain your working and back your answers with the data.
For the presentation, communicate with clarity and simplicity. Be relaxed as some people tend to increase their speech pace when stressed. Relate some aspects of your presentation to Rolls-Royce.
Always ask questions at the end of each exercise, starting with personal questions to the assessor such as “What attracted you to Rolls-Royce?” or “What has been your career path?”, and don’t forget to send a thank you email at the end of the assessment centre.
