Application Process & Interviews at BAE Systems

Extremely lengthy - Applied in March and didn't have a face to face interview until nearly August.

It involved a general application and question process with resume, etc. Followed this were video interviews with 5 questions. Finally an interview was conducted and defence related applications completed for security purposes.

Initial video interview, then I had a teleconference (as I was interstate) and then one of the managers flew over to meet with me.

Resume/application/cover-letter followed by an interview turnaround time between application and interview was around 8 weeks, I felt the process both assessed my education/abilities well and informed me fairly well as to what to expect in the position.

The interview process involved submitting a resume, cover letter online as well as answering an online questionnaire which seemed to target personality type questions. After that, I was called into an interview that was followed by a reference check and the letter of offer.

1. Resume Screen 2. Recorded Video Interview 3. Face to Face Interview

Interview and creativity activity.

Good interview process, had several interviews to attend to, these were professional and very taxing - which was good.

Ad-hoc, long period of no response.

My interview process are from filling online applications to video interview to face-to-face interview.

Very fast, though I entered at what was second round hiring process

Online application (CV, cover letter ...). Shortlisted to an Online Video Interview - with the ability to retry the answers, which was greatly appreciated. Face-to-face interview a month later. Job offer Security clearance application & face-to-face interview 3 months later.

1. CV with a written essay. 2. Phone interview with HR. 3. Face to Face interview with HR and two managers. 4. Letter of Offer.

1) 5 x 1 minute questions - video responses 2) Assessment Centre with 3 other candidates 3) Panel Interview 4) Follow up interview 5) Phone call to confirm position

online application video interview assessment centre + panel interviews

1) Initial application (Cover letter, resume, transcript) Very typical, nothing memorable. 2) 1 way interview. General questions about teamwork and experience. 3) Interview with Cell Lead and HR Rep. No technical questions were asked. Questions focused more on problem solving techniques, creativity, experience, etc.

Fill out form Online interview- as long as you like to do the questions and as many turns as you need. This was very good Face-to-face interview

Criminal background check, security clearance check, face-to-face interview with HR and Engineering team leads. Reference checks.

I completed an online application and was selected for a video interview where I recorded my answers to their questions and submitted those. I was then selected for a face-to-face interview that took around an hour. I was not initially selected for the role but I was offered another interview for a different role which I was successfully selected for. My company maintained a good level of contact during the period where I did not have a job offer but was still of interest to the company.

The interview and hiring process was very quick and smooth (I was offered a position within 2 weeks of the interview). Having said this however, I had very little contact between getting the offer and actually starting, and as a result my first day was an absolute shambles. It almost seemed as though the person in charge of my on-boarding was unaware that I was starting which made the process of getting settled in my first week quite difficult. On top of this, the team that I was placed in weren't even aware that I was joining them until I got taken to their office. This was disappointing and I would have expected much better communication from the company to allow for my new job to start smoothly.

I don't remember! Probably something about handling challenges and teamwork.

Fairly general HR questions, 3 technical questions related to my field of study and general questions about my previous employment and experience.

I was asked various questions about why I had applied for the role (not having a background in the industry and having studied a non business degree). However much of my part time working experiences could be related to the tasks they spoke about, so it was more about what I wanted out of the program and whether I could contribute to the types of tasks they were asking about.

Background, education, why this industry, why this employer, relevant experience, role/discipline specific questions (such as what I would focus on in kicking-off a project)

Situation based questions based on my work experience and university projects. Role specific questions in accordance to the cover letter. Strengths and weaknesses. Future goals and interest.

provide examples of a time when you demonstrated *this* trait

Specific knowledge of engineering design process steps. BAE Systems has very rigorous engineering processes to assure the utmost quality for its customer. I am saying this, a few curveball questions will be asked to test your capacity to stay composed under pressure. Generally they look for people that are exceptionally knowledgeable in their field and can work great with others in collaborative situations.

How much do I know, what is my background, what do I have to offer that other people don't.

Work experience, university projects.

Why did I apply, solution to customer's and design problem and some technical questions.

Human Character questions for 1/2 hr. Areas covered include how to respond to a difficult client relationship, strengths & weaknesses, how I would prepare for work in the specific field (background reading ...). Technical questions for 1/2 hr. Circuit diagrams & analysis verbally, unit conversions & meanings, practical design experience with examples, engineering lifecycle, relevant standards.

How did I get into Project Management? What do you like about Project Management?

questions related to life cycle management

Was asked a few good questions during the interview directly relating to be field, but unfortunately i am not doing anything even remotely related to it. I was even grilled on using a software package because the person at he interview (now my PM) wanted to know my opinion about it, yet it is not at all relevant to the job i am doing and the project that he is involved with. Even the other questions posed to me has nothing to do with the project i am assigned to. The questions asked were more pertinent to a project and already ended.

Mostly technical, a few character and mental development, a few on progress and goals

Behavioural questions and specific engineering questions related to the discipline (What does this schematic show? How would you achieve this mechanical engineering outcome?).

-Example of a role model, -General experience questions, -If confronted with problem X, what would your response be? -I was asked about a personal interest of mine (an engineering project of mine) and they asked why I had completed something a certain way.

Behavioural type questions and technical questions

Asked to analyse and discuss several electrical schematics. Why this career? What are your career aspirations in 5 years time?

I was asked questions about the projects I've worked on, the teams I've worked with and to describe scenarios that demonstrated my ability to handle problems and provide solutions. I was also asked some technical questions related to my area of education.

Know your stuff. If you're applying for a software role there will be software questions. Be confident as well - The company wants people who speak their mind.

If they are applying for a naval architect role, there is not much work involving specific naval design at BAE Systems in Australia (UK mainly handles this). Despite the great graduate program they offer, if specific naval design work is more sought after, then another company would be more beneficial.

Learn about what the company does - quick look on their website is sufficient. But the best advice I could give is to be open and just show your personality because that is a really important aspect to this business.

Research what BAE Systems is doing nationally and globally - there is a lot going on and showing a keen interest in one or more programs is viewed positively. Know and be able to demonstrate discipline specific knowledge (reference volunteer/social group work or hobbies relevant to the role you're going for) - show you have more than knowledge, that you have the ability to apply it in a real-world environment.

The interview is more about getting to know you as a person. The technical skills will partly be assumed knowledge from university and the rest can be covered through training and mentoring. It's important to think about specific scenarios that describe how you can apply transferable skills to support the role you want to apply to. Think of your strengths and how you plan on overcoming your weaknesses. Be honest and respect your interviewers.

Build up experience through relevant projects and prior internships.

Be confident Be good at what you do, if you are not then learn and practice until you are

Learn the background of the company and type of capabilities BAE Systems provides to the Australian Defence.

research into the defence industry, some well known projects, what BAE produces for Australia and why. Learn the hierarchy of defence in Australia.

Learn the key words the recruiter might use for resume screening

The interviewers were very pleasant so don't be too nervous and just be yourself. Prepare a list of questions that normally will be asked by the company and do research about the company before going for the interview.

You will be asked about the role you are applying for a lot

Apply for a few places, with specific applications, not a one case fits all approach. Apply for multiple positions within the same company, to show a willingness to be broad, and that you are prepared to take on challenges in areas that you are not as familiar.

Depending on the nature of the company. I was asked about past experiences in project and outside activities. My interview didn't drive into the technical territory but more into engineering smart skills such as project manager, peer review and team behaviours.

I would recommend software engineers/ developers or anyone who is interested in doing anything software related to look somewhere else. There isn't a lot happening in this field at BAE.

The more breadth of technical understanding in the field, the better. Does not need to be extremely in-depth knowledge, but the work covers many technical areas and having a basic grasp on these beforehand helps immensely.

Know your behavioural responses inside-out, it's arguably more important. Be knowledgeable in your discipline (which you should be anyway). If you're serious you should call.

I believe one of the reasons I was hired at BAE due to a strong alignment between my personal values and the company's values. I'd encourage all job-seekers to think about what it is they want to achieve and what their professional values are, and then find a workplace that reflects that. It will be mutually beneficial, and a good cultural fit. Find examples of times you have displayed these values.

Look over some of the stuff you've learnt

In such a complex engineering environment it is not possible to hold all the solutions yourself. Research skills and communication are important to find the answers.