Online Application
You will be asked to submit your CV and answer various questions based on your education and previous experiences.
Expect a 1-2 week wait before progressing to the next stage.
Video Interview
You will watch a short introductory video explaining the details of how the interview is conducted before being asked questions from a pre-recorded clip. There are 5 to 6 of these pre-recorded questions asked. For each question you have to prepare an answer and answer within the given time-frame.
Example task
These questions tend to focus around Sony’s core values, and scenarios you may face on an average day in your applied role. Such questions can include: “Why are you best suited to this role?” and “Why Sony?”
How to respond for success
Make sure you dress appropriately, preferably business casual. Harry wore a plain white shirt, not tie or jacket. It may also be helpful to have a pen and paper at the ready to jot down some key words to refer back to your answers if you find yourself getting off track. It is vital you keep as much eye contact with the camera as possible because the assessor will know if you are looking elsewhere.
Expect a 2-4 week wait before progressing to the next stage.
Assessment Centre
This stage usually takes around 3-4 hours to complete, (9am - 1pm) consisting of 3 main exercises.
Group Exercise
The assessment centre will start with a group exercise (in a group of 6 candidates). For this group exercise, you can prepare yourself (not mandatory) by exploring Sony’s website to inform yourself about the business and products. Harry’s placement opportunity focused in SONY Electronics, specifically on the following four product categories: TV, Audio (incl. Headphones), Cameras and Mobile Phones. So he familiarised himself with those. The group exercise was to analyse some financial reports, budgets (forecast / actual) and sales of electronics products across different regions (40-50 min), summarise this information and then present it to the managers of various finance teams (10 mins).
Online Numerical Test
You will then complete a ‘Korn Ferry’ Numerical test. This measures your analytical reasoning skills in relation to using figures, data and statistics. It comprises a computer-based test to assess how well you analyse business-related information. You will have the opportunity to complete some practice questions online before the main testing session. Before you begin, please make sure you cannot be disturbed (e.g. switch off your mobile phone). The test will take approximately 15 minutes and will be timed by the computer. Please ensure you have a pen, paper and calculator to hand.
Individual Interviews
For the final 30 minutes of the assessment centre, you will have 5 minute quick-fire interviews with 6 different Sony managers. They will each focus on a relevant skill, or experience required for their specific department. One Interview may focus on your CV, EG: ‘What 2 things are you most proud of on your CV?’ Another may focus on your personality, EG: ‘What is something you struggle with?’
How to respond for success
The team exercise is a crucial stage of the assessment centre, so it is vital you strike the balance between being a team player, and standing out from the crowd. Make sure you greet everyone in the group and become familiar with everyone’s names. Then, make sure you are on the look-out for trick Q’s. Harry was able to notice a miscalculation in the financial statements, something was shown as income when it was actually an expense. He brought this up in the presentation, and was given credit for being the only one who spotted this.
The numerical assessment is an opportunity to show your numerical ability, but in a business situation. If possible, familiarise yourself with business accounts, P&L’s etc (this should be relatively easy if you come from a finance degree and have access to these resources). Harry recommends taking advantage of the free Korn Ferry Tests offered on Practice Aptitude Tests to prepare yourself for the kind of questions you will face.
The individual interviews are a great way to show off your personality, experience and motivation for working at Sony. Each interview has focus on a different area, so make sure you know the content on your CV, your commercial awareness of SONY, relevant work experience etc, and in Harry’s case, why he chose finance.
Expect around a 1 week wait before progressing to the next stage.
Assessment Centre
This stage usually takes around 3-4 hours to complete, (9am - 1pm) consisting of 3 main exercises.
Group Exercise
The assessment centre will start with a group exercise (in a group of 6 candidates). For this group exercise, you can prepare yourself (not mandatory) by exploring Sony’s website to inform yourself about the business and products. Harry’s placement opportunity focused in SONY Electronics, specifically on the following four product categories: TV, Audio (incl. Headphones), Cameras and Mobile Phones. So he familiarised himself with those. The group exercise was to analyse some financial reports, budgets (forecast / actual) and sales of electronics products across different regions (40-50 min), summarise this information and then present it to the managers of various finance teams (10 mins).
Online Numerical Test
You will then complete a ‘Korn Ferry’ Numerical test. This measures your analytical reasoning skills in relation to using figures, data and statistics. It comprises a computer-based test to assess how well you analyse business-related information. You will have the opportunity to complete some practice questions online before the main testing session. Before you begin, please make sure you cannot be disturbed (e.g. switch off your mobile phone). The test will take approximately 15 minutes and will be timed by the computer. Please ensure you have a pen, paper and calculator to hand.
Individual Interviews
For the final 30 minutes of the assessment centre, you will have 5 minute quick-fire interviews with 6 different Sony managers. They will each focus on a relevant skill, or experience required for their specific department. One Interview may focus on your CV, EG: ‘What 2 things are you most proud of on your CV?’ Another may focus on your personality, EG: ‘What is something you struggle with?’
How to respond for success
The team exercise is a crucial stage of the assessment centre, so it is vital you strike the balance between being a team player, and standing out from the crowd. Make sure you greet everyone in the group and become familiar with everyone’s names. Then, make sure you are on the look-out for trick Q’s. Harry was able to notice a miscalculation in the financial statements, something was shown as income when it was actually an expense. He brought this up in the presentation, and was given credit for being the only one who spotted this.
The numerical assessment is an opportunity to show your numerical ability, but in a business situation. If possible, familiarise yourself with business accounts, P&L’s etc (this should be relatively easy if you come from a finance degree and have access to these resources). Harry recommends taking advantage of the free Korn Ferry Tests offered on Practice Aptitude Tests to prepare yourself for the kind of questions you will face.
The individual interviews are a great way to show off your personality, experience and motivation for working at Sony. Each interview has focus on a different area, so make sure you know the content on your CV, your commercial awareness of SONY, relevant work experience etc, and in Harry’s case, why he chose finance.
