Watson Wyatt Phone Interview

I've got one on monday for investment consulting, I'm using the thread that was opened last year as a framework. However I don't know how relevant it will be for this year, anyone else with a WW phone interview, would love to hear some thoughts on the process, thank you..

yea..im doin the same...do u have any idea how to access your application though? whenever i login , it shows me nothing..

yeah same here, have no clue!

dude just had the interview, didn't go too well a few q's put me off, basic layout is:

why ww?
why investment? What do you think this entails?
competencies were the same as last year:
a time you've had to adapt to changes, new process, difficult client/person, strong relationship! Tc good luck

thanks discernme! man..im nervous..to be honest the business of Watson Wyatt is quite confusing..im still not too confident about questions like whts the diff between non actuarial and actuarial..btw did it last the whole 45 minutes?

Hey Guys,
Hope you do well out of your phone interviews. I really hope to get one with WW as well. Could you please tell me when you applied? I applied about 2 weeks ago - hope that wasn't TOO late?
Thanks in advance!

its not late at all...don worry.

Hey guys, I went for one of their open days at the companies office in westminster and to be sincere it seems to be a really wonderful place to work in . Every one seemed at ease and confident. Luckily for me I got to speak to a few of their staffs who gave me a few tips that on investment consulting which helped me a lot when i was applying for the job. Got the ONLINE TEST TO COMPLETE IN TWO DAY(A BIT UNUSUAL COMPARED TO MOST COMPANIES),does any one know if its the same standard SHL test?
Thanks everyone and best of luck

Yep, standard SHL test

Nah, the interview only lasted 25-30 minutes, the guy seemed pretty cool.

just had the interview...exactly the same questions as posted by discernme, but at the end the guy seemed to make fun of me for the questions i asked him!!

could you expand on what the competency questions are please?

are you asked when you implemented a new process?
and how you have built a strong relationship?

cheers

yep...both were asked. I think the strong relationship question can be reframed (as in my case) to something like when have you had to network or somethin like that.. questions were 1) Why WW 2) Why Inv Consultin 3) WW is changing a lot, how do you feel working for a changing organization? 4) Tell me a time when you took an initiative outside of university 5) tell me a time u improved a process 6) a time when you dealt with a difficult team member (something along those lines) 7) did u apply anywhere else 8) a time you have exceeded expectations

can't remember the rest...but there were 2 questions for four competencies so around 8 competency questions in total. i forgot what the 4 competencies he mentioned were :) ..1 was teamwork i think

Hello guys, when did Watson Wyatt say thet ld get back to you after the Telephone interview, thanks

anyone had an actuarial consulting interview? can you give me some guidance, please.

hey guys...

i applied..and also answered both the tests.. they mailed me back asking fr my complete academic record.. as they said the application was incomplete (??!!!).. anyways.. i replied back.. and they immediately mailed me saying that i wud be given an answer latest by the 30th regarding whether or not i have telephone interview..
honestly speaking.. i only applied on the 7th.. got a reply from them on the 9th.. and gave the tests by the 10th..

dunno wat to make of this situation... :s

I had the same email. I would phone them up to ask if you are likely to be called for a phone interview

Hi guys got an email today confirming i'm through to the next stage which i believe is an assessment centre, however there were no specifics. Has anyone else received this email?

@discernme

yes i am through to the AC as well. no idea when they will happen

I'm pleased to say that I'll be joining you guys. Discernme/Vistasp thank you guys so much for the telephone interview advice!

hey rutland..

dont you think they will just tell me to wait till 30th november??

That's what I thought. But then I did phone them up last Thursday and the woman I spoke to was really helpful. I ended up having an invite for the phone interview that evening.

Rutland..

i'll call them up right away.. hope I have luck as good as urs :)

Hello all,
I also got the AC Mail 2 days ago. I applied for Investment Consulting in Leeds. I just called them now and was told there's an AC in London on the 30th. Please anyone that attends the AC in London on the 30th should keep us posted on what to expect...All the best

told me the same thng again... :s

hey ppl, I received the AC call as well some days back. i wrote to the HR email today regarding some queries of mine and after answering them there was a line at the end saying ' Please be advised however that we are still considering you for our assessment centre and we will be in contact you as soon as we have an update.' Im shittin my pants now...cos this would be really really unethical and unfair to revoke an AC call. do you guys think they can actually do that???

Vistasp, I read the email from them again.

They way I now read it now is that I have passed the telephone interview. They have not explicitly said that I am through to the AC. A lot of ppl could have successful telephone interviews and then they will cut it down to see who they want at the AC.

I'm not trying to make anyone shit themselves. But I do think these guys are really unfair. Anybody else have any thoughts?

Hmmm...but that doesn't make much sense does it?? i mean they shortlisted us based on the application form, then we pass the phone interview and again a shortlist?? i mean what would they shortlist us based on; clearly we have satisfied their criteria of qualifactions, motivation and competencies. why not just say you were 'unsuccessful' straight away, instead of saying u were successful and AGAIN wasting their own time by re-shortlisting??..im confused :s.

the only reason i can think for them to reject u after a successful phone interview is the rolling basis thing. maybe they can arrange candidates on the dates they applied so its fair to call the early birds first.

hey ..i just received a call for the AC in London on 30th november, london. Anyone else coming? The lady told me some topic for the presentation, I couldn't hear at all..hopefully theyll give it through email as well.

see you there!

I would love to join u guys there as well but still waiting for the result of my telephone interview!!!

hey guys how long did u take to hear back from the outcome of your interview?

@city0910 - about a week

Hey...so how did it go? can you share any info on what to expect? what sort of things were asked in the interview?

thanks Vistasp! I was told to arrange for my AC the next working day after my telephone interview (My phone interview was on Friday and was called on Monday)
I contacted them for details for the AC, BUT they refused to disclose any info apart from the generic type.

Also I applied for London but have been moved to Reigate-it probably implies that the London office has been filled? p.s. I applied to Benefits consulting 2010 graduates program.

Vistasp, how did u AC go? Do you mind sharing some of your experiences and what to prepare for it

Hi all,

I have just been notified that I will go to the AC for the Investment Consulting role in London but they have not confirmed anything yet.
Look forward to c you there!!!

Hey Vistasp, any news?

Hey,

I have a telephone interview tomorrow for summer internship (insurance and financial services - actuary) and was wondering if anyone knew if the questions would be similar to above etc?

Thanks

Seems to me the investment consulting has been filled in London and I was asked if I wanted AC for Leeds. Luckily I have offers from other companies, but it did sound pretty annoying to be in the waiting list for several weeks after confirmation they would invite me for AC only to change the location :P

Same for me as well they have asked me to move to LEEDS for AC which is mad really...

Hey Folks,

   Anyone have any idea when the Leeds AC might happen? Also, those who went through the London AC, could you share your experience by any chance, seeing as we are no longer in competition with you (different city and all :) ) 

A.

So amik777 u r clearly suggesting that u r in competition with me then?????

Do u know anybody else who will be there as well?

Hey lufbra, no one apart from those posting above us!

hey, has anyone had the phone interview for insurance and financial services actuarial? What were the questions? Any info would be appreciated

Many thanks

Hi!
I've applied to WW a long time ago, did the online tests and then just before Christmas I received such an email:

"Thank you for your interest in Watson Wyatt and for your application to our 2010 intake.

Please be advised we are still considering your application following on from your online test, however please be assured that we will contact you in the New Year with a further update.

Kind regards

Watson Wyatt Graduate Recruitment"

Has anyone received similar email?

Hey Metyl,

I received the email as well.

I figured they are trying to finish up the recruitment batch they are working on right now before they open up to interviewing others.

i received that same email as metyl and vee.. have you guys had any update?

@besc
Nope I haven't had any news yet