Application Process & Interviews at BAE Systems Australia

I had a very enjoyable interviewing process. My recruitment officer was very professional but personable.

The interview process was pretty informal for myself. I was referred to the position by someone I studied with who had been working at the company for over a year. It involved me submitting a resume which was followed by a phone interview. Afterwards there was an informal interview at a café followed by a final panel interview a couple weeks later in the office itself. All interviews involved the project manager at the time with the final interview involving my current line manager, an electrical engineer, and the project manager again. There were no assessments involved with my hiring process.

I had previously been a cadet at the company so I wasn't recruited through the formal process for graduates

The entire recruitment process (after submitting you resume), involved the following: 1. One-way interview to answer 5 questions. 1-minute answer per question. 2. Online two-way interview with the Function Manager, Resourcing Manager, and another graduate. This was for 1.5hrs.

I had an initial interview that I never heard back from, and still didn't hear back after I followed up. Then I applied for the same position again and had to be interviewed again by the same people, after which I was offered the job. Communication was smooth and straightforward after that and through until I started work.

At the time I was interviewed (>2Y ago) the process was very simple (Online application, not arduous and pointless testing "games", interview relevant to the position with those who are ultimately responsible for the project. This may no longer be the case though, from what I've heard.

Took a very long time to get any information about what's happening, where, and how. little information was provided about the role prior to starting

There were multiple stages, beginning with a questionnaire, which lead into one way video interviews. From here I was selected for a one on one interview. From here I was told that I was accepted for the position.

My interview process was not for the Graduate position, so I can imagine my experience wasn't the same as others. I had a singular interview for an Internship position, which then got upgraded into the Graduate program. Assessments are not something I can really comment on as I don't think I have had any.

Recruitment happened a good 9 months before the start date, and there was some but limited engagement in this period, maybe there could be some workshops or team building activities to feel more involved in the company before starting.

Initially I had to send in a 1-min video explaining what I knew about BAE Systems. After sending that in, about a week later, I got sent an email saying I had an interview with BAE Systems. Due to Covid restrictions at the time, I had to do my interview over zoom. I was interviewed by two engineers from different teams. After the interview I received a phone-call informing me that I had gotten the internship. At the end of my internship we had to do a presentation summarising out time during the program which led into us being nominated for and showing interest in the graduate program. If you wanted to join the graduate program, your intern manager would nominate you and you would commence your graduate program in the following year, so no other assessment was required for this.

Extensive recruitment process but made you feel great when you achieved the role.

The recruitment process was quite easy and quick. First I submitted my cover letter, CV and academic transcript. Soon after I submitted my application I received an email with a link to complete some filmed interview questions. This involved having the question pop up on the screen and filming my response to it. I was given as many attempts as I wanted to get my answers right before I submitted them. After this I got an invitation to attend a virtual job interview via web ex. Soon after my interview I received the job offer. I found the whole process very easy and had a job offer in my first semester of my final year of my university degree. This felt great as I was able to relax and just focus on my studies because I knew I had a job lined up ready for once I completed my degree.

Couple interviews per usual, nothing that different to the usual process

The interview assessments were standard/acceptable. My only issue was massive wait times between hearing from the talent recruitment at varying stages, including post acceptance.

Had to submit my resume and CL. After that I then had to submit a short 30 second video of myself answering questions. I was then invited to an interview which was with two younger BAE Systems members that asked me standard interview questions. After that BAE Systems went very quiet for about 3+ months until i finally found out that i was accepted.

The interview process was thorough but it took 6 months before i actually started working, which seems fairly long to me.

Very straightforward: - Submission of your resume - One way interview recording - Psychrometric testing - Interview with hiring managers - Offer Follow up was provided at each stage and was friendly, professional and timely.

Interview process these days are ridiculously over-the-top, this company is no different. Write out an application + upload resume. Get a one-way video interview. Do psychometric testing. Attend an in-person interview.

Interview consisted of 1 automated questions pre-recorded interview, and a face-to-face interview.

Previous experience, expectations of what I was looking for in a company, what would be a good fit for myself, career aspirations. Work/potential role Situational Q and As.

The standard interview questions: - Tells us about yourself and why do you want to work at BAE systems. - Why did you choose engineering? - Name a strength and weakness you have. - How have you worked as part of a team in the past. Technical questions relating to my position: - Describe what an earth fault is and how you would address it.

Almost entirely discussions on past experiences (extra-curricular engineering projects/teams/skills). General teamwork questions as well, and some technical based on the prospective roles.

Conflict resolution. Strengths and weaknesses. Leadership and teamwork. Technical questions.

Questions about my studies, hobbies and interests outside of work. Where I hope to be in the future after getting the position.

Standard interview questions - like how do you handle pressure/when have you displayed excellence/communications with customers and give an example

A few technical questions, but mostly questions asking me to provide examples where I exhibited certain qualities.

About the role I applied for

I was asked 1 technical question (What mechanical factors need to be considered for a circuit to be mounted on an aircraft?) and the rest were all soft, scenario-based questions (Name a time when you experienced hardship and tell how you overcame that, when did something project-based not go your way and how did you handle this, have you ever dealt with confrontation and how did you resolve it, what does safety mean to you, what products does the company manufacture, what do you want to get out of the internship, why did you apply to this company, etc).

Experience, Situations scenarios, interest in role and Why BAE Systems, Values/behvaiours

I was asked mostly behavioural type questions where you needed to use the STAR method to answer the question. Examples included how I dealt with difficult team members or how I would go dealing with a difficult customer and selling the proposal etc. I was also asked general questions about what I studied at my university degree and did for my part time work.

I was asked about my strengths and weaknesses, how I would react in certain situations and what my experiences were in my previous roles.

Generic Interview questions with questions related to the program i was applying for.

Some questions about current projects at the company. Some technical questions + behavioural questions. Pretty standard.

Bit of a mix of technical, scenario and soft skill/work culture-based questions.

What do I know about PM competencies?

Very basic questions, my strengths and weaknesses. If I had a variable voltage supply, how would I change the voltage?I do not remember the other questions but they did ask me at the end if I had any questions for them.

Apply for an internship 1 yr prior to graduation, automatic application into the grad program.

Network with members of the company, and express your interest in that way.

Prepare responses to standard interview questions and structure them according to the STAR process (situation, task, action, and result). I would recommend practising some mock interviews with family or friends. I would also recommend reading up on BAE systems and the projects they are currently involved with and integrating that into your answers in some way. Also research the company values, relating to those as well in the answers you provide.

Don't be afraid to ask questions during the interview, but think about the way you work and what qualities are needed in a team working environment. Have a good think about times where you have communicated well, dealt with conflicts, etc. and have them ready and at hand during the interview.

At least for the areas I have worked (Red Ochre) - Experience is a big one. To me, the selling point of BAE is being able to do very interesting work, which means jumping in the deep end and "giving it a go", getting involved rather than just doing dummy-projects for the first few months. Having previous extracurricular engineering experience seemed to be a common theme with just about all of the grads that I talk with.

I would simply tell someone to lean into their experiences within their current roles and try their best to twist things to fit your understanding of the role you are applying for.

Do the appropriate research by getting to know the business as much as possible. This will help you understand if you see BAE Systems as a long-term career pathway. Show your passion and ability to commit. Employers prioritise retention so these factors will be very useful.

They should prepare by researching a bit about the company and the individual projects that they hope to be apart of or will be involved with for the specific role that they are applying for.

Research the role as best you can.

Know about the company and be honest if you don't know something. Know how to pronounce the name of the company as you will be judged on that by the interviewers, it's not a good look if you don't know how to correctly say the company's name. Be enthusiastic with your interviewer, it's alright to be nervous (let the interviewers know that and they will try to put you at ease). Try to have a lot of natural extra-curricular activities that you've done whether that's volunteering, work experience, a part-time job, a hobby/sport as it makes you come across as a more well-rounded candidate that isn't solely focused on studying and university. You will be asked about this and it's best for it to sound like they are real interests as opposed to CV/Resume activities you collect to look like you've done a lot but don't really care about them, as this will be obvious to the interviewers as well.

Read public websites and build an understanding of the values/behaviours. Be your authentic self, they want to you who you are and what you can bring to the business.

My recommendation for candidates is to read the job description and the behaviour traits the company is looking for. From here list out the key competencies the company and behaviour traits, and have an example where you can explain how you are competent in this area or developed here using the STAR method. This will help you be prepared with answers to various questions you will be asked in the interview. I would also recommend doing your research on the company to understand what they do and whether this fits with your values.

Know details about current projects and make sure to have the technical knowledge to back up your suitability for the position.

Read the position description and research what is the expectation for the role before the interview.

Find out what your supervisor's managing style is, it is important they come into the office often or else you'll basically get forgotten about as a graduate. Supervisors who come into the office often are way better.

Be yourself, have some thought put into the way you approach answering the question. Best tip is be your authentic self in the face-to-face, it is important to see whether you will gel with the team.

Memorise your elevator pitch which you give at the start of the interview. Always talk highly of yourself, but not arrogantly. They also like people who would be fun to be around at work.

Definitely take the time to research the projects that BAE are engaged in via the company website and also do some digging online to find out about potential issues that these projects have encountered, so you can demonstrate your corporate knowledge, as well as give yourself an opportunity to discuss any similar experiences that you have encountered and how you helped solve those challenges.