Online Application
For the initial stage you are required to submit your CV and answer 2 initial questions. Expect the questions to be along the lines of: "Please tell us something about your interests or commitments which you feel demonstrate skills that are relevant to the programme you are applying for. (Maximum 300 words)". "Please explain the reasons why you are motivated in applying to Rolls-Royce and your chosen programme. (Maximum 300 words)".
How to respond for success
I made sure to showcase examples from my university projects/internships that demonstrated a Passionate for engineering, great communication skills, plenty of initiative and good at creative problem solving.
In the application form, I specifically mentioned projects that the company is working on and how my skills can be useful in the work they do with specific examples (i.e. gas turbine knowledge, experience of working in multicultural environments). I think it’s key to send across your enthusiasm about engineering and more specifically about the aerospace industry. I also included extra-curricular activities and volunteering work and made sure I come across as a well-rounded and enthusiastic individual. Finally, I made sure I highlighted both my hard technical skills (i.e. I worked on x project and developed a script/simulation in y software to obtain z result) and my soft skills with examples, and mentioned the outcome of my work – mainly using the STAR technique.
Expect a 2-month wait before progressing to the next stage.
Online Tests
For this stage you will face 3 online tests, a behavioural, numerical reasoning and logical reasoning test. You’re sent a link to an online platform where you login and take your tests. In the behavioural test, you’re sent messages from your co-workers and you have to choose an answer from the choices presented. In the numerical test, you’re shown a set of charts and a statement and you have to say if the statement is true/false or it cannot be determined. In the logical test, you’re shown a set of geometrical shapes in a certain order and a series of operations that are applied to it and you have to come up with the correct order of shapes at the other end. R-R do provide you with some online numerical tests + various other preparation materials.
Example task
The behavioural test is multiple choice - you are sent messages from coworkers describing a job-specific situation (i.e. “X got sick and he is due to finish this report by end of week, can you take over his work”) and you have to choose the answer that fits best. It’s not that obvious all the time, but if your answers reflect the company behaviours, it should be good.
The numerical test was a true/false/cannot say type with 18 questions in 3 minutes. You are presented a series of charts and statements came up requiring you to make some quick calculations – a calculator is also useful. You have to be both quick and accurate.
The logical test consists of a series of geometrical shapes arranged in a certain order. Some operators are then applied and, knowing what each operator does, you have to choose the right order of the shapes that should come out. Sometimes the shapes are already arranged both at the input and at the output and you have to figure out what operations were applied.
How to respond for success
Practice similar online tests for a couple of days before (especially for the numerical one). Even if they’re not exactly the same type, you will get used to making quick calculations and that definitely helps. For the behavioural one, make sure the answer provided shows proactiveness, boldness and collaboration.
Expect a 2-month wait before progressing to the next stage.
Online Tests
For this stage you will face 3 online tests, a behavioural, numerical reasoning and logical reasoning test. You’re sent a link to an online platform where you login and take your tests. In the behavioural test, you’re sent messages from your co-workers and you have to choose an answer from the choices presented. In the numerical test, you’re shown a set of charts and a statement and you have to say if the statement is true/false or it cannot be determined. In the logical test, you’re shown a set of geometrical shapes in a certain order and a series of operations that are applied to it and you have to come up with the correct order of shapes at the other end. R-R do provide you with some online numerical tests + various other preparation materials.
Example task
The behavioural test is multiple choice - you are sent messages from coworkers describing a job-specific situation (i.e. “X got sick and he is due to finish this report by end of week, can you take over his work”) and you have to choose the answer that fits best. It’s not that obvious all the time, but if your answers reflect the company behaviours, it should be good.
The numerical test was a true/false/cannot say type with 18 questions in 3 minutes. You are presented a series of charts and statements came up requiring you to make some quick calculations – a calculator is also useful. You have to be both quick and accurate.
The logical test consists of a series of geometrical shapes arranged in a certain order. Some operators are then applied and, knowing what each operator does, you have to choose the right order of the shapes that should come out. Sometimes the shapes are already arranged both at the input and at the output and you have to figure out what operations were applied.
How to respond for success
Practice similar online tests for a couple of days before (especially for the numerical one). Even if they’re not exactly the same type, you will get used to making quick calculations and that definitely helps. For the behavioural one, make sure the answer provided shows proactiveness, boldness and collaboration.
Expect a 2-month wait before progressing to the next stage.
Assessment Centre
The assessment centre took around 5 hours in total, and the dress code was '‘Smart Business Wear’. To prepare beforehand I read a lot about the company, especially on their website and I went over all my aircraft propulsion course notes. Preparation for, and the day itself is split into a number of parts.
Prior to the Assessment Centre you are likely to be asked to watch this 3 minute video, and prepare a 5 minute presentation, covering ‘Why you feel that Rolls-Royce is the perfect place to start your career’, ‘What attracted you to apply for this programme’, 'What are some of the key areas Rolls-Royce should be considering to remain competitive and offer innovative products and services to our customers’, and 'External factors impact on our performance and where we might improve our business’. Your presentation should draw on previous knowledge and perception of Rolls-Royce, as well as any relevant info you can gather from the Youtube video. They are quite flexible on the way you deliver your presentation, but you will not have access to any electronic devices. Basic presentation materials will be available (pens and a flip chart), as they want you to keep things simple.
At the Assessment Centre you will deliver your presentation and Q&A. You’ll have five minutes for your presentation, so ensure you are aware of timing! After this you will take part in 3 more exercises, the first being the Behavioural Interview
Rolls-Royce have specific skills required for the role and they look for examples focused on these skills, what specific actions you’ve taken and what you learnt from your experiences. During the interview they will also be assessing your knowledge of the company.
Example tasks
During the behavioural interview, I was asked questions along the lines of: Who are our customers? Can you give an example when something came up while you were working on a project and describe how you prioritised and why? Give an example of when you worked in a team, how you interacted, how you managed relationship with teammates etc? Give an example of a work conflict or debate you were in and how you approached it?
How to respond for success
Research the company well. I prepared well for this interview so none of the questions surprised me as they were pretty standard. I made sure I “showed off” (not in an arrogant way) my aerospace and Rolls-Royce knowledge whenever I could, mentioning specific Rolls-Royce programs and issues that they had in the past.
I think this is key as you come across as passionate and having a genuine interest in the aerospace world. At the end of the behavioural interview, the recruiters asked me if there’s anything I’d like to know about the company. I remember asking them about how they manage the internal company knowledge and what intellectual property tools and processes they employ. I also asked about the type of projects I can do as a graduate within Rolls-Royce.
The second part to the Assessment Centre is a Technical Interview. This interview assesses your technical understanding and application of knowledge for the programme that you have chosen.
Example tasks
During the technical interview, I was asked to choose two relevant topics. I was the asked specific questions about each. The assessor wants to know how your mind works and how you get to an answer. If you're struggling they will help you out and nudge you in the right direction.
How to respond for success
It is important to know the basics of structures and materials and also gas turbine basics. Explain your thinking process all the time and ask questions if you’re unsure of what is being asked. I tried to think loudly and explain my reasoning while also listening to the guidance provided by the assessor.
The third part to the Assessment Centre is a Group Exercise. You will participate in a group activity that allows RR to observe how you work with others to achieve a goal. As the task may change slightly year on year, specific details of the assessment will be shared with you on the day.
Example tasks
During the group interview, we were given a budget and a list of materials/things to buy for building a small bridge over a river (represented by a blue piece of paper). We had to decide what to buy beforehand, then build the bridge using the bought materials and program a robot to pass over the bridge and return to its starting position. We were given 30 minutes for everything. At the end, we had to prepare a presentation on how everything went.
How to respond for success
My advice here would be to plan, communicate, include everyone (especially if they are quieter), think logically and don't rush into it. Better to show that you are good at working through a task sensibly and calmly with a good team working skills than to complete the exercise in a mess.
