E.on: my experiences of the application process
4 March 2009 - 3:41pm
Yasirah
I thought I'd write up my expereience of applying for the E.on graduate scheme, as there doesn't appear to be much info online.
The application form and and online tests are pretty straight forward. The main problem I had in applying for this scheme was the amount of time it took them to get back to me after each stage. I applied in November, and completed the tests on the day I recived the invitation to complete them, sometime in early December. They didn't get back to me with further information until January, when my interview was scheduled for the end of Febuary! It also took them a week and a half to get back to me after my interview - which was sadly a rejection!
The interview itself was very different to the other interviews for finance that I've had, and I think this is why I struggled. It was much more technical in nature and there weren't ANY of the usual competancy questions e.g. tell me out a time when you've worked in a team, shown leadership etc.
The first few questions were rather straight forward motivational ones - Why E.on? Why finance?. They also asked about the CIMA qualification - if there were any topics within the qualification that I was particularly looking forward too - my mind went a bit blank on this question.
Other questions they asked were: How does this role fit into your future plans? Asked me to explain some roles e.g. what does a financial controller do? Talk about recent developments in finance? This was quite a broad question so I wasn't really sure what they were looking for, and again think I perhaps struggled a bit, maybe I should have applied it more to how changes would have affected E.on. What information would you find in an annual report? E.g what headings are there. Who would the annual report of a company be used by and why? You've been asked to organise the christmas party how would you go about this. (I think I answered this question the best, which says a lot about me!!) What are the main challenges of this role?
I hope that's of some help to anyone planning to apply to the scheme!
4 March 2009 - 5:17pm
shamils12
Hi way2success
Ive got an ability test with e-on ..could you please tell me how many questions, duration and on wht are the question based on..
cheers
4 March 2009 - 5:26pm
Yasirah
Way2success: I suppose some of the motivational and commercial awareness questions will be the same across all schemes - make sure you know a bit about E.on, its competitors the energy industry, issues facing the industry etc
shamils12: It was a while ago I did the tests now, so I can remember the details but I think they were about 20 minutes each. They were pretty straight forward verbal and numerical reasoning - and I think, although don't quote me on this they were SHL tests. If you've passed other tests of that kind then you should be ok . If not then just make sure you do some practice tests first such as the one on this site, or on www.efinancialcareers.co.uk
Good Luck!
4 March 2009 - 5:33pm
shamils12
Hi yasirah
Many thanks i will crack on with it straightaway.
Goodluck
4 March 2009 - 5:39pm
helixn
Hi guys,
there's another thread on e.on that might be helpful to you guys: http://www.wikijob.co.uk/forum/it-technology/eon-technical-interview-questions
4 March 2009 - 6:34pm
meandgangs
E.on... I have just done their numerical/verbal tests online... fingers crossed...
4 March 2009 - 6:37pm
shamils12
Hello
Did u have enough time to complete.. could you advice me what type of questions they were.
many thanks
4 March 2009 - 6:46pm
meandgangs
No I didnt finish the last couples of questions. It is just like the usual online ability tests...like Atkins'... Numerical and verbal. There should be some examples on WIkijob, have a look
4 March 2009 - 6:50pm
shkelzen
I didnt't progress on the next stage eventhough i passed both tests. i contacted e.on and they told me that i had passed the tests but they will not consider me, i found it very strange, what a waste of time.
4 March 2009 - 7:04pm
Yasirah
That's strange! Did they tell you why?
Maybe they only look at your application question & answers after you've done the tests, or maybe they've filled their vacancies?
I would be annoyed too, if that was me!
12 March 2009 - 12:55pm
mancmackem
Eon have closed the Finance programme as it is full for this year. I was supposed to have an interview on the 23rd but they rang me up the other day explaining why they were cancelling. A right pain as i was originally due to have the interview on 2nd February but couldn't get down because of the weather conditions cancelling pretty much all public transport that day.
12 March 2009 - 2:13pm
Yasirah
sorry to hear that mancmackem, good luck with the rest of your applications.
By 23rd do you mean 23rd of Feb or 23rd March? Because my interview was on the 24th of Feb and I (obviously!) wasn't told that the programme was full. I'm going to be pretty annoyed if its the former, meaning I pretty much wasted a whole a day travelling to coventry and back........
To be honest, I don't understand why they don't have telephone interviews for the first round as opposed to face to face interviews. I think this is one of the main reasons why their recruitment process is so slow. I don't think they gain much by having a face to face, and it must obviously be more costly for the company (in terms of paying applicants travel expensives.......having offices 5 miles out of coventry's ctiy centre isn't the most convenient location to get to).
It also makes scheduling, rescheduling etc much more difficult - when I've had to reschedule telephone interviews at other companies, they've been able to rescedule it within the next couple of days.
12 March 2009 - 2:47pm
mancmackem
It was 23rd March which i thought was a long time to wait from the 2nd February, particulary considering that initial interview was only arranged in late January (about 5 days before). I also noted that the deadline for the scheme was 31st January which pretty much means that any last minute applicants would have been unsuccessful regardless. I found they were very slow replying to anything from the initial application then the online tests, and it probably is a waste of money giving initial face to face interviews; obviously they do have their advantages over phone interviews but the advantages are surely more carefully looked at in the Assessment Centre.
13 March 2009 - 5:52pm
meandgangs
Eon just called. I have passed on to technical interview for next week. ...Technical huh...... The scheme I applied to is Engineering Generation. Have u been thru this one guys? Help!!!
23 March 2009 - 8:01pm
metalland27
me too ! They've just invited me for a technical interview..the engineering scheme thingy ! hmm.. anyone hav a clue what they're gonna ask ? plus anyone knw the best way to get there from London ?
28 March 2009 - 9:47am
ShowMeTheMoney
Hey Guys
I have read all your posts and found them a great help. :-)
Just one small problem thou, i cant access the technical questions link. It says "access denied"
Can anybody help me with this problem please??????
Thankyou and i wish you all the best of luck
Metalland27 is you interview in Coventry??
30 March 2009 - 3:28pm
metalland27
hey showmethemoney..nah mine is in Ironbridge..telford. I hav also tried that link..I think wiki guys hav taken it off.i dont know why ! wht ar yu applyin for ?
30 March 2009 - 8:40pm
ShowMeTheMoney
Hello Metalland27...oooh telford yeah thats a strange one ay??? I live in the midlands and travel upto telford to see family, there is a frequent train from new street station, but this only helps if your coming from the south. Im thinking its probs best for you to get there the night before, stay in a hotel/BB and claim the expenses back, i think its a max of 150 spoons!!!
Im applying for the the energy services programme mate, im guessing you didnt get chance to see the questions before wiki took them down???? We should ask some of the peeps near the top of this blog, maybe they took them down....
DOES ANYBODY MAKE A NOTE OF THE TECHNICAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE ENGINEERING PROGRAMME PLEASE????
here that might help lol..
When is your interview Metal???
31 March 2009 - 8:34am
metalland27
nope !! i didnt get a chance to note the questions..it was here one day..and the next day..it's off ! I think that'll be a good idea to crash in a bb overnight ! my interview is on the 3rd of april..fingers crossed..i dont go and fuck it up ! It's funny how there'll be no one to respond..probably worried about givin an edge to you ..just in case they are still in the running ! I bet there are dozens of people who've gone for the interviews..remember pretty much evry question..and wont say squat ! Rumour has it..thesame set of questions are used for everyone to give people a fair chance ! So if no one is comin out squirtin out the questions..don't take it personally ! BUT IF ANYONE KNOOWS ANYTHING ..DROP US A FEW LINES ..NOT ALL THE QUESTIONS OBVIOUSLY..BUT SOME..OR MAYBE JUST ONE ! PLEEEEASE !!
31 March 2009 - 10:55am
ShowMeTheMoney
HAHA good effort METAL....How desperate do we sound man...I agree though it is only fair we all get the same chance and if that means a sneeky peek at these questions then so be it...Any way im not sure why im stressin yet i havnt even got passed the online tests yet, ive only taken them once and failed them..im prepared this time, brought like 3 books i gotta pass them man!!!
3rd of April, thats close, hows the preparation going??? Have you taken a technical interview before??? I was reading some websites about them and found example questions they sometimes throw in like whats 17x18 and the "what came first the chicken or the egg" Just to see how cool you are i guess...id love these questions, but obviously you will need to prepare for more important questions such as commercial awareness and the Energy industry..There is a couple of good blogs mate on this site about commericial awareness, one in particular is about companies moving their tax base outside of the uk...read it if you havnt already you never know mate. Also im guessing recession type questions could pop up too mate.....Sorry if you already know this, just throwing ideas at you that might help prepare you for the big day!!!
Anyway i have sent some emails to the people in this blog that have taken the interview and might still have the questions, ill keep you posted.
AS PART OF THEIR GOOD DEED ADAY KARMA, HELP FROM ANYBODY WHO HAS TAKEN THE TECHNICAL INTERVIEW WOULD BE DEEPLY APPRECIATED!! THANKYOU
3 April 2009 - 4:45pm
metalland27
Hey showme...(lol) Yeah the interview was average..in retrospect i could hav done alot better if I had some clue as to what was goin to be asked !! BUT I DIDNT ..THANKS TO NO ONE REALLY !! So for the sake of people who have not done it yet..HERE ARE THE QUESTIONS ..STRAIGHT UP !! NOTE: I think for Energy services and E on Engineering the questions are basically thesame...
1) TRANSFORMERS !!!! - I CANNOT OVEREMPHASIZE ENOUGH THE IMPORTANCE OF KNOWIN HOW THE BLOODY THING WORKS !!! From the basics..to how they're installed..the types..what they're used for..and yeah yu gotta be able to draw it!!! (Yes!).
2) Eddy currents...they start by askin yu what the drawbacks of usin a certain kind of transformer is...leading you to finallly mention the E word..(if ur lucky enuf to remember year 1 elect) then you've gotta explain what it is..why the transformer plates are laminated in the first place..basically know EDDY CURRENTS !!
3)know ur types of currents (DC AND AC) and what yu think EON'S TRANSFORMERS USE (THE ANSWER IS AC) THAT'S WHY IT MAKES SO MUCH DAMN NOISE ! EXPLAIN WHY YU HAVE TO TRANSMIT CURRENTS AT HIGH VOLTAGES...BLA BLA BLA..YU CATCH MY DRIFT RIGHT ?!
4) Know the certain piece of legislature and laws governing the energy industry..and the bodies responsible for regulatin them..( eg HSE, CERA, ISE..BLA BLA BLA..READ THEM UP ON THE INTERNET).
5) THEN THE THINGS YOU'D HAVE TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION IF YOU SUDDENLY HAD A BAD LINE SOMEWHERE IN THE NETWORK(COULD BE OVERGROUND OR UNDERGROUND)..WHAT WOULD YU DO TO TACKLE THIS PROBLEM IN THE SAFEST QUICKEST WAY....TALK ABOUT REDUNDANT LINES...TALK ABOUT HEALTH AND SAFETY..TALK ABOUT BARRICADING..THROW IN ALL YU CAN..
6) THEN THESAME QUESTION AS NO 5, BUT THIS TIME IN AN URBAN CONGESTED TOWNCENTRE ( WHAT SORT OF WIRING WOULD YU CHOOSE IN THE FIRST PLACE..OVERGROUND AND UNDERGROUND..( THIS IS EASY ..I KNOW..IT'S KINDA LIKE A BONUS QUESTION)
7) BASICALLY UNDERSTAND DISTRIBUTION (THAT WAS THE SUMMARY OF THE INTERVIEW..AND COMMON SENSE)
THIS IS IN ADDITION TO THE USUAL COMPETENCY QUESTIONS..LIKE WHY EON..WHERE DO YU SEE UR SELF IN 5 YEARS..WHY ENGINEERING..THE USUAL BULLCRAP ! (EXCUSE THE LANGUAGE..REALLY PISSED I COULDNT DO BETTER)..THIS'LL PROB GET REMOVED BY THE *MASTERS AND COMMANDERS*..SO YU MIGHT WANT TO COPY AND PASTE SOMEWHERE..
ANYWAYS..BEST OF LUCK TO ALL YE STILL WAITING TO BE INTERVIEWED..IF IT'S NOT MEANT TO BE...IT'S NOT MEANT TO BE..DONT SWEAT IT..DUST YASELF AND MOVE ON..
PEACE !
3 April 2009 - 4:54pm
helixn
actually, there was already a thread on E.on's technical interview questions and assessment centres but I removed it. This was mainly because I have been contacted by one of the company that offered me a job and they asked me to remove the thread that I've made about their company. they said that it has given unfair advantage to the candidates. I didn't want to take any risk with e.on, so I just removed the thread. sorry folks
5 April 2009 - 6:11pm
TimmyBoy
Hello all,
I just completed the online numeracy test for E.ON. I didn't do maths at A-level or beyond, but I wouldn't consider myself to be a pretty smart guy. Nevertheless, I found it a nightmare. Not so much in the level of the difficulty, but more the amount that needed to be done in just 21 minutes. Did anyone else find this true with them? It's actually only the first real numeracy test I've done so I've got nothing to benchmark it with.
Cheers.
5 April 2009 - 6:27pm
helixn
I think you'll get better once you get use to it. do a lot of practice on the tests provided by SHL as most of the companies got their questions from them
10 April 2009 - 9:54pm
phatfili
Ahh, a person in the same boat as me. When's your technical for Energy Services? Mine's next thursday, they only told me yesterday and haven't got a clue what to revise...Help maybe?
28 July 2009 - 1:03pm
alex_sg
Hi guys.
This is Alex from Singapore. I'm new here, and will like to enquire if anyone has done a telephone interview/one-on-one interview or went to the Assessment Center with E.ON Energy Trading for the Graduate Trading Qualifications Program in Duesseldorf, Germany. I just made it through their online test, and will like to know more about what is to come in the future stages of assessments. I have been googling for some time now but I haven't been able to find much information. Can anyone who has done this before advise a little on this?
31 July 2009 - 4:18pm
katarinalockwood
Hey Alex,
I am also looking for some information about the next steps of the application process for the graduate trading qualifications program. I received an email to wait for 2 weeks for the next round, i suppose this is the telephone interview? There is not much info to find on the internet about the different stages in the application process...
15 August 2009 - 10:41am
scarabeous25
Hi guys,
I am also waiting for the next step of the application process for the Trading qualification programme. I received an email saying that they will let me know about the next steps within 2 weeks. I've been waiting for 17 days and I still have no answer... Did they forget me or are you all still waiting for some additional information?
Cheers.
29 December 2009 - 10:43pm
Ronaldo9
I just completed the online tests for the Engineering graduate programme and feel i could have done much better... oh well, more practice next time then!
13 January 2010 - 8:29pm
WanderingTrader
Got an email that I will be informed next week about online test for the Trader qualification programme. Anyone know what the testing is gonna be like for the Trader position?
13 January 2010 - 9:25pm
Ronaldo9
I didn't expect to, but I passed the tests and am now through to the next stage.. 1 hour competency-based telephone interview!
13 January 2010 - 9:27pm
Ronaldo9
I don't know but I would call or email them to find out, and in the mean time practice standard numerical and verbal reasoning tests because they're highly likely.. Good luck
13 January 2010 - 9:38pm
WanderingTrader
ronaldo 9: thank you for you post. Can you explain a bit more about the standard numerical and verbal tests as I have little idea about them...are there any online? I would appreciate your help and if possible we can exchange contacts. :)
13 January 2010 - 11:45pm
Ronaldo9
These tests are used by most companies for screening and selection of candidates to go through to the next stage of the application process,
You can find information here on the wikijob website, and also for other types of tests depending on the company/job role applied for: http://www.wikijob.co.uk/wiki/numerical-reasoning http://www.wikijob.co.uk/wiki/verbal-reasoning
I have done 3 already; 1 was unsuccessful and 2 are through to the next stage. I will be doing one for Atkins tomorrow.
You can find practice tests online, prepare for the actual by doing as many of these practice tests as possible beforehand, Remember you are competing to get through to the next stage of the application process
Follow this link to find practice tests, try as many as you can, good luck http://www.brunel.ac.uk/pcc/students/psychometrictest_wherepract.shtml#numericalverbal
Shl, previsor and assessment day are good ones :)
14 January 2010 - 10:38am
WanderingTrader
Tried one practise test on wikijob. got a 75% ... I dunno exactly how much one should get to go to the next stage...and I was wondering if one could use a calculator to solve the numerical questions? Are we allowed to use one?
14 January 2010 - 11:19am
WanderingTrader
oh and do they ask about eon during the tests? like facts etc? I have subscribed for assessment day to get aquainted with the test format..is it okay?
14 January 2010 - 1:42pm
Ronaldo9
The tests are only on your numerical and verbal reasoning ability, you are allowed and will need to use a calculator for the numerical. Nothing is asked about the company at this stage, but is likely to be in the interview stage.
In most cases I don't think they set a pass mark, It is more likely that you get assessed against the other candidates performances, and the top 20 or however many they want go through.. I always aim to get above 70% to know that I have a good chance!
Doing the practice tests on all the different websites is the best way to get acquainted :)
21 January 2010 - 7:31pm
WanderingTrader
Given the Trading test. I don't think I will get through. :(
It was fucking tough...and had Numerical,verbal and other iq tests. The tests are quite complicated and if you aren't familiar with engineering/economics jargon then you will find it pretty difficult. Took me about 90 mins to finish the test. Have no hope :s
23 January 2010 - 10:26am
mensa.trader
Hey WanderingTrader
When did you do the tests? I just did the tests, it was tough! I really hate the last test!!!! That test was ridiculous and had nothing to do with trading!!!! If after completing the tests I received nothing (email), then does that mean I've got rejected?
23 January 2010 - 12:00pm
WanderingTrader
I did not recieve any email either. All the questions were engineering/operations related. I was wondering if I got rejected too. :(
Will have to wait and see.
24 January 2010 - 3:20pm
scrumpyjack
I gave the test for the trading qual today...it was miserable. It wasnt the usual run of the mill quant and critical reasoning. There was a section on flowcharts, a section on symbolic math that I totally screwed up
24 January 2010 - 5:24pm
WanderingTrader
Did you get a confirmation email? I think all of us had the same deadline for the exam-24th Jan 2010. I think I screwed up the inductive reasoning part a bit as I never practised it before.
25 January 2010 - 5:38pm
WanderingTrader
yeah same here. No email yet. Dunno when they will mail us.
3 February 2010 - 3:03pm
WanderingTrader
Did anyone get an email( for the trading programme) from Eon?
3 February 2010 - 6:37pm
WanderingTrader
Naw... I heard that they will reply after all the test takers complete the test. Some people gave the test in December but are still waiting for a reply.
4 February 2010 - 1:07pm
mensa.trader
hi, just received the rejection email!! And they sent me the online test result!! My result is following:
diagram analysis (78) problem-solving capacity - standard (74) analytical text comprehension (76) reasoning (99) process thinking - s (87)
The full mark is 100, and 75- 100 indicate a high percentile score!!
And the HR sent me the follow email:
"your test results are good. However this is not the only criteria that counts for starting our trainee program.
The reason for the rejection is that in comparison to other candidates your affinity to energy is less. "
Well, it is really disappointing. Good luck to all of you!!
8 February 2010 - 12:12pm
rajsiva
Hi everyone!
I am attending the graduate assessment day in march. Could sum that has been to theses assessments day verify whether they re-test you on the numerical and verbal tests. Thanks
8 February 2010 - 5:28pm
WanderingTrader
I haven't got a reply yet for the Trader program. Given that others have got a reply, I am assuming that I got rejected.
Will have to look at other firms I guess. :s
Best of Luck to you all!!
9 February 2010 - 7:44am
phatfili
Hi. I had my assessment centre last year. Didn't get through though. Not sure if its the same process as last year, but I'll explain what happened at mine. They will do another numerical test, just to make sure you didn't cheat the last time. They'l also make you write a report. Basically they'll give you a problem. You have to decided which solution you Would recommend and justify it, as well as justify why u rejected the others. One thing to remember is not to waffle, bullet point if you have to. I spent so much time trying to make it sound professional I ran out of time. There will be another role play activity, where you will be interviewing someone. Aim of this role play is to see how good you are at collecting/gathering information. There's also a group activity. Make sure you are heard! If your challenged, don't be passive and give in, yet don't be to defensive either. They want to assess your ability to be assertive. I got negative feedback about this, cuz my suggestion got challenged and just gave in. Next stage is the competency interview, which is pretty standard. Good luck guys!
9 February 2010 - 9:40am
phatfili
Hi. I had my assessment centre last year. Didn't get through though. Not sure if its the same process as last year, but I'll explain what happened at mine. They will do another numerical test, just to make sure you didn't cheat the last time. They'l also make you write a report. Basically they'll give you a problem. You have to decided which solution you Would recommend and justify it, as well as justify why u rejected the others. One thing to remember is not to waffle, bullet point if you have to. I spent so much time trying to make it sound professional I ran out of time. There will be another role play activity, where you will be interviewing someone. Aim of this role play is to see how good you are at collecting/gathering information. There's also a group activity. Make sure you are heard! If your challenged, don't be passive and give in, yet don't be to defensive either. They want to assess your ability to be assertive. I got negative feedback about this, cuz my suggestion got challenged and just gave in. Next stage is the competency interview, which is pretty standard. Good luck guys!
10 February 2010 - 2:44am
shannindia
hello evryone!! I thank everyone in this forum for contributing to my application with Eon..I applied very late around december and finished my tests by end of december..I had my telephone interview on 3rd feb after some troubles in booking a slot for the interview and got an email today to complete the online application form..For those who are gonna apply in future i would suggest to prepare the questions given out here..Thats more than helpful..Hope to c some of u guys in AC..
2 March 2010 - 5:52pm
hiko86
Hello there, I was suppose to attend the AC on the 15th of March but received a call saying that the company is having a business review and they won't be progressing with my application so i won't have to attend the AC...anyone got the same result?? i'm applying under the engineering graduate role
2 March 2010 - 10:49pm
leyla
Yes same situation here. As far as I understood they cancelled all grad programmes except IT.
3 March 2010 - 1:00pm
shannindia
helloo guyss..
got a call from Eon today stating to change the AC date to 15,16th march..anybody of the same line as mine..?
3 March 2010 - 8:52pm
hiko86
that's really unfortunate...i wonder if they even cancelled the AC on the 15th of Feb...I was suppose to attend the AC on that day but couldn't make it....hope to hear a bit more from the other applicants who made it through to the AC
Hi Yasirah!
Tks for your comments, they were very helpful. I also have an interview coming up in few days for the E-On Engineering Graduate Scheme. I understand that the scheme you applied was in finances, however is there anything else, any other general question you think I should be aware of?