Lloyds Banking Group AC

Sorry mate, I can't help you there. I still have the telephone interview to pass ! Have you tried asking Lloyds' recuitment team ? Though, I wouldn't be surprised if they don't tell you anything helpful. Didn't disclose much information regarding the telephone interview.

What grad scheme are you on btw ? Are the telephone interview questions similar to how they were before ? I'm presuming the usual curveball questions will be asked, such as:

- lloyds' advantages over competitors ? - issues facing banking sector ? - lloyds' challenges ?

.......right ?

Would love some help regarding this year's telephone interview, as I'm not feeling confident at all >_< .........Cheers !

Hi mate,

The interview is mainly competency based. I wasn't aksed about how Lloyds is different to its competitors or the challenges facing the banking sector, or Lloyds challenges. Surprised me a lot! Just know your competencies well and you'll be fine.

I've applied for the general management scheme, what about you?

check your PM sub

Hey man, I've applied for the business & technology scheme, which doesn't seem to be that popular as opposed to the finance or corporate markets scheme.

Yeah, that does seem rather surprising ! How long did your interview last ? Must be kind of difficult to keep the conversation flowing for an hour if questions are mainly competency based !

Best of luck with the AC....cheers !

Sub7, how did the AC go? I have mine this week! How did you find the logic tests and the interview? Thanks,

Hey all, Can anyone confirm that the numerical reasoning test has been replaced by a logical test? If so, whats it like?

Any help would be REALLY appreciated!!

Thanks in advance.

Hi guys, yeh it's a logical test. Look on shl for the proper practise tests. I think it's under abstract reasoning or something like that. Sorry for the late reply Kelly, how did your ac go? I got the job so i'm happy!

Thank you sub7!

Hi guys!

I was just wondering if any of you know where I can practice for the Logical Test?? As im not sure which section this comes under for the SHL practice tests?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Thank you

In the document i got about the AC .. it says...

"Calculators will be provided for the numerical psychometric ability test but personal calculators can be used if you wish"

Does this mean there is a numerical test aswell? As if there is - i would wana practice one atleast before the AC!!

Hey Cookiegirl788,

I've heard from someone who has done the AC this year that the logical test practice is under the 'Inductive Reasoning' section on the SHL website. I'm guessing that they still have the info about calculators on that document because they've used the old instructions from when candidates did have to do a numerical test for the 'Before you Arrive' section, and haven't realised it still mentions calculators.

Hope that helps!

I've been offered a job, went to one of the early ACs at start of October. Any advice i can give please ask...

Anyone else with a job offer, would be good to meet :)

Hey!

Im attending an AC on monday! cd u jus giv a general layout of the day plz? is the logical test a diagramatic test? the interview just purely competencies? wt were the group exercise and fact finding exercise based on?

Thanks!!

Thanks!! Yeah.. i've heard the same thing!! I was just wondering, cz I didnt want to turn up expecting to do all these different tests!!

Hi sub7, well done on getting the job!

I had a telephone interview today (12/11/10) for the Lloyds Graduate Leadership General Management Scheme.

I got an E-mail 3hrs after the phone interview saying I had passed and have been invited for the AC day on 22nd Nov 2010 at Solihull. Is anyone else attending on this day!!??

Just to check you definitely didn’t have to do any challenging maths like the Numerical reasoning test we did earlier on in the application? Also, is there any other general advice you could give about the group exercise or the interview?

How long after the AC did they offer you the job?

Cheers Sherman

Hi everyone, I'll just share what happened at my ac just to clear a few things up

Here's what happened Firstly, there is only a logical test. Yo can revise for this by doing an inductive reasoning test on SHL. You get 40 questions in 20 mins and the test is an SHL test. I only answered 34 questions and passed so don't worry if you can't do them all. They aren't negatively marked either. You will definitely only have a logical test, no numerical test. In terms of the other exercises, the group exercise you can't really revise for, but i thought i did really badly as i hardly spoke, but what i said was good enough to meet the benchmark. So just ensure that you make at least 3/4 really good points, which can be easily done. The interview is quite relaxed. I was asked why i wanted to work in the banking industry and the current problems facing the banking industry and Lloyds bank in particular. Then i was asked 6 competency questions, very similar to the telephone interview. The hardest exercise is the presentation. You have 50 mins to prepare cases for and against buying two different shopping centres. I apparently did really well in it. I did that by doing a SWOT analysis for both shopping centres then summing up which one i would invest in. I didn't use any notes (you can use them though) but i read from the big SWOT analysis sheets, which meant that i got extra marks for not using notes and the panel could see visually what i was on about. So yeh, in general it's not a bad AC at all. It was my first one and i was very nervous, but everyone is lovely and you are given several chances to prove your worth so just relax and enjoy it! By the way, interviews vary depending on the programme. I was on general management. Finance I know has questions directly relating to financial issues affecting the industry. I hope that helps and best of luck in your assessment centres everyone!

Tazrace- I got a job too on the general management scheme, what scheme are you on?

James

Thanks James thats great, I really appreciate it Cheers Sherman

thanks james! that really does help alot - feel a little more relaxed.

Just another quick question tho - in the interview, do they ask why lloyds or why the banking sector? Because i guess even if they ask the broad picture about the banking sector - ull ahve to bring lloyds into this?

thanks james! that really does help alot - feel a little more relaxed.

Just another quick question tho - in the interview, do they ask why lloyds or why the banking sector? Because i guess even if they ask the broad picture about the banking sector - ull ahve to bring lloyds into this?

They ask about both, just to be awkward! But yes you have to relate the issues facing the banking sector to Lloyds, so focus on the issues which will affect Lloyds more than competitors such as -FSA introducing guidelines to make it harder get a mortgage - Salary/bonus caps on bankers (could cause top earners and banks to leave europe and set up financial headquarters elsewhere- bad for Lloyds as no real brand recognition outside the UK)

Thanks alot mate! I'll prepare for both then so i've got lots to say.

You've been a great help!! :)

Hey guys, I got a job on the finance stream starting September next year. I used this a lot so thought I'd help out others where I can!

The assessment centre is fairly gruelling, I had mine in Solihull. In the morning we were given a short presentation on the bank & then split into two groups. Everyone does the group task first and then the competency based interview & the logical test depending on which group you were in.

For the group task we were given information on the Olympic Games and problems with the water suppliers. We were given 10 minutes to each read all the information we had been given & then had half an hour to discuss and write up our findings for the panel. There were also 2 sheets in the middle of the table which hadn't been allocated to anyone so keep an eye out for them. Effectively everyone is given the same core material outlining the problem & then everyone is given individual pieces of information, emails, fact sheets, etc. So focus on these sheets and gleam the important bits relating to the question which you can then put forward to the group.

For the logical test, it is 40 questions in 20 minutes. If you go to the SHL website it is under inductive reasoning and for the test I reckon 10 of the questions were exact replicas! So pretty straightforward. .there is absolutely no maths whatsoever!

The competency interview is pretty straightforward in terms of the competencies. One question that stuck out was outline when you have been part of a failing team, and what did you learn? The interview is based around the group to start off with and then onto the competencies. - Who are Lloyds competitors? - How are we different from our competitors? - What recent changes have happened to the Lloyds Group? - What difficulties does the Lloyds Group face at the moment? - Why do you want to work for Lloyds? - Why did you choose your particular stream? - What are your career goals?

Everyone then had lunch and then a lot of waiting around before rather X factor style we were split up into two groups as people were asked to leave and carry on through to the afternoon respectively.

The afternoon is the hardest part of the day. You are given a big fact sheet of material, emails, figures, and recommendations. Our task was on mergers and acquisitions and to present to the CEO of the respective company on which firm we should buy out, out of the two. You're given 50 minutes to go through all the material, prepare your 15 minute presentation and also get it down on big tear-off sheets. I presented to one guy for 15 minutes and then you take questions for 15 minutes. They purposely disagree with you and quite aggressively. Just be patient and repeat your answers if necessary.

Hope this helps! Good luck to all!

Hi thompson26

Well done on getting the job! I’ve been asked to attend at Solihull this Monday (22/11/10). I just wondered if you could tell me a few things.

For the presentation during the afternoon, do you present one-to-one with an assessor or do you have to present to the assessors and other candidates as a group?

Also, did Lloyds put you up at a hotel in Solihull the night before the interview? In the E-mail inviting me to attend they said to E-mail them back if I needed accommodation which they would be happy to sort and would forward on to me any correspondence. I E-mailed them back Monday evening this week and have heard nothing since! If you did stay over somewhere, where did you stay? And how easy is it to get to the centre, is it worth getting a taxi?

Cheers Sherman

Hey Sherman

For the presentation, it's relatively relaxed. It's one on one with an assessor. The rooms that we presented in were fairly small as well so not too oppressive/nerve-racking!

In terms of the hotel, I emailed them asking for a hotel and they emailed back the next day telling me that a hotel wouldn't be booked for me & could I please do it myself and file for the refund which I've done. I stayed at the Corus Hotel. In terms of the nearest station, if you get a train from Birmingham to Widney Manor and then get a taxi, it's about a 45 minute walk otherwise.

I walked to the centre in the morning as it was only 10 minutes but you could get a taxi as well.

Good luck!!

Thanks for that Thompson262

Im glad the presentation is only one to one, i’m so nurvous about the whole thing I almost just want it over and done with now! Haha

Thanks for what you said about the hotel, if i’ve not heard anything back/cant get hold of them tomorrow I guess I’ll just book it myself and hopefully they’ll be fine with putting in a claim.

Thanks again Sherman

Hi Zanzibar,

I applied to the business technology program too!

It doesn't seem to be very popular. Have you had your telephone interview yet?

HI!

What scheme did you apply to?

Do you have any tips for the telephone interview? I have mine coming up next week and Im really worried!!

Hello Nimz20,
I had my telephone interview for the technology program a couple of weeks ago. The interviewer was quite nice and he mentioned that they ask the same questions to everyone ( not completely sure ). These are the questions that I remember being asked:

(Careful ! Not the same order )

Why Lloyds?
Why chosen program ?
What does program entail ?
What do you think about relocation & customer facing role ?

(Now lots and lots of competencies...can't remember all !)

What can you give to the program ?
Tell me about a time when you worked in a team ?
Tell me about a time when you innovated/ championed an idea ?
Tell me about a time when you chose to do things differently ?
When have you organised something with a team ?
How did you prepare for a presentation ?
How did you adapt to an usual circumstance when in working in a team ?

That is all I can remember but seriously, think through all your examples and situations from your academic and work experiences ! You are going to need them ! I think these are the core questions you will be asked, so write your answers down for them. Be confident and passionate but not monotonous. Your answers will be recorded and sent to a senior employee to be decided. That is all the advice I can think of for now....best of luck !

Thank you so much!!

That was of great help :-)

Hi everyone,

I recently had a telephone interview for the Corporate Markets Graduate Scheme but I'm yet to hear back about the outcome. Does anybody know when they're holding assessment centres for Corporate Markets?

Thanks

Hi guys,

Need to book onto one of these next week.

Do you know if they refund travel expenses, and if so, to what value?

Thanks

Hi everyone, I’ve just been offered a job on the General Management Grad Scheme and seeing as I found this website to be very useful in preparing for the AC I thought I’d share my experience.

I was at the Solihull AC and the day was broken down in to 4 parts;

Morning: Group exercise, Interview and then a paper based Inductive Reasoning test (shl) Afternoon: Presentation

There were a total of six candidates on my AC day All 6 of us were allowed to stay on after lunch Just to confirm: There is NO numerical test, ONLY the Inductive Reasoning The afternoon presentation is one-on-one with an assessor (NOT a group presentation)

I was phoned the following day, mid afternoon, to be given my offer and apparently 3/6 candidates have been made offers.

I stayed at the Corus hotel, which is paid for by Lloyds using an expenses claim form.

The staff at the centre are really friendly and helpful as were the other candidates. I can’t remember exactly the interview questions but they were roughly in line with the telephone interview... One which does stick in my mind however is ‘Tell me about a time that you realised you have made a mistake and how did you rectify this?’ After that question, they more or less followed the telephone interview.

Hope that helps and if there are any other questions I might be able to answer please ask :)

Sherman

hi all,

just read the tread, great information, thanks. I have an assessment day on the 17th Dec in London for the Corporate Markets Programme. Is anyone else attending this? Or has any experience of the Corporate Markets Assessment day?

Well done on getting the assessment day! How long did it take them to get back to you after the telephone interview? I had mine on the 1st November and still haven't heard anything...

Hey,

Just wondering if anyone can help me as am starting to stress out! Ive been trying to get on the system to book a telephone interview for about 2 weeks now and when i click on the link to choose a slot all that comes up is a blank box that says 'scheduler' and 'telephone interview' I've tried at various times of day and 2 different computers and still having no luck. I know the system is really busy but didn't think i'd have this kind of problem for this long!

I have emailed the address supplied (talent@lloydsbanking.com) twice and phoned the number given (0121 696 5038) I have also rang HR to be given a different email address (rebecca.taylor3@lloydstsb.co.uk) and have had no replies to anything. :(

Im starting to worry as have seen the corporate markets and finance grad schemes have now closed and am worried the general management one (which i have applied for) will be filled soon too. Does anyone know if when they are closed, those who have been invited to take an interview/ AC will still get the chance to do so, or will it be closed to us aswell?

Did anyone else have problems like this? If so did they just tell you to keep trying or is there a different way they can be booked? Does anyone have any other numbers/ email addresses I could try?

Thanks so much, Kat xxxx

Hey everyone, got an invite to the assessment centre on the 3rd december. How hard is the logic test overall ? Is it manageable ? Do you need vast amounts of practise to do it ?

Regards

Manvir

The Logical test is 40 questions in 20 mins. Written by hand. Its based on the SHL website Inductive Reasoning test and many of the examples from the SHL website come up in the AC test. You don’t need vast amounts of practise, just do the test 3 or 4 times and you get quick at it.

Also, someone asked about a telephone number for Lloyds. The phone number they give out in the E-mail didn’t work for me either but I put in 'Solihull AC Lloyds' into Google and found a different number that put me through to them!

I will also say, the AC Manager told me on the day that they had filled about 50 of the 60 places available for the general mgnt scheme so I think it will be closed very soon!!.... So when they offer you to book an AC date, book one for the earliest opportunity!

Sherman

Hey thanks for that Sherman. I've already done the practise test on the SHL website. As far as i know there are not any more are there on the site ? I've signed up with assessmentday.co.uk and my god the tests are by far harder than that practise test ! Please tell me the actual test is not as hard as that ?

Would be a big help to me that

Cheers

Manvir

Thanks sooo much zanzibar. You have been such a great help!

Hi Manvir

Honestly, you have nothing to worry about if you are able to get through the SHL ones! I was getting a score of about 90% for my practise tests and had to just guess Q12 and Q13. When they phoned to offer me the job I asked how I did and she said that all 6 of us passed the inductive reasoning test, I was also told I got a score in the top percentile so its actually pretty easy. You best bet is to focus your time on interview prep, and as I said in an earlier post, be ready to answer; 'Tell me a time when you have realised you made a mistake and how did you rectify this?'!

cheers Sherman

p.s; I remember I was also told I got a good few marks for using a range of activities in my examples when being asked interview questions! So try not to just use Uni or Work related stuff

Yeah that sounds not too bad then Sherman. Just out of curiosity, how did you go about revising for your inductive reasoning tests ? Did you just do the 1 practise test thats given on the SHL website, or did you use any other that you think other people might find helpful ?

The Interview itself should be okay i think. As long as you come across confident and are able to elaborate on every point you make about Lloyds and the competency questions themselves then i think everything should be in order.

I'm also worried about the group assessment to be honest. How did you find it overall? What was the topic that you had to debate about? Was it something you think you'd be able to get involved in, regardless of if you had any background knowledge on ? Is the main objective of the task just to test ones communication skills and how they work and interact with other team members ?

This is a big help, and i really appreciate this

Manvir

Im on that testday Manvir! Looking forward to it hugely!

Guess i will see you there!

Tom

Hey mate, what scheme you applied to then ? How you preparing for the inductive test ? Have you just done the SHL practice one ? Theres only test on that site as far as i have searched ? Are there more ?

I signed up and bought assessmentday.co.uk inductive reasoning papers, and they are by far harder than the SHL one! Really is worrying me, what our actual test is going to be like. How you feeling about the day in general ?

Regards

Manvir

Hi Manvir

Just do the inductive reasoning test on SHL a few times and so long as your getting 80% or better on that then you really will do fine on the day! Dont worry about any other websites, if you can do the SHL test then there about as hard as it gets. But it really isnt worth spending load and loads of time on.

The group assessment involves the candidates each being given a small document with some information about providing water for the London olympics. As a group you have to decided on the best form of action given the information you have. There is not right or wrong answer. I thought I'd failed big time as a made a huge mistake with the paperwork and then after a few minutes had to say sorry and explain that I had made a mistake to the group etc... But it's really just a case of showing that you are able to speak in a group, read information, and listen to what other people say.

Just relax about it and enjoy the day, it's really interesting and a good AC in comparison to some of the other AC's i've heard about!

Sherman

I was at one of the first ACs this year and got my job offer about 5 weeks ago, so here's a few tips from me.

Don't worry about the logical tests, at the time they told us they had never sent anyone home half way through but one person out of 14 got sent home.

In the group test, listen carefully but also put your point across, i was told i lead the group and was influential. Try and involve everyone but don't come across too autocratic.

For me, the presentation was the best bit and i would suggest you make good use of presentation skills.

It is a really enjoyable day, although i was one of the only undergrauates there so felt under pressure! Not sure how many people got a job on mine but there was some strong candidates

I was at one of the first ACs this year and got my job offer about 5 weeks ago, so here's a few tips from me.

Don't worry about the logical tests, at the time they told us they had never sent anyone home half way through but one person out of 14 got sent home.

In the group test, listen carefully but also put your point across, i was told i lead the group and was influential. Try and involve everyone but don't come across too autocratic.

For me, the presentation was the best bit and i would suggest you make good use of presentation skills.

It is a really enjoyable day, although i was one of the only undergrauates there so felt under pressure! Not sure how many people got a job on mine but there was some strong candidates

hey mate, im applying to the general management scheme, how about yourself. I will do the stuff on SHL i think a few times and make sure i know it. Haven't looked yet though, will do it next wednesday i reckon, got a ridiculous amount of uni stuff to do prior to that.

Im looking forward to the day in general i think, really hope i can get through the morning stage, as i enjoy presenting, so think i will be alright if i get to this part. At the end of the day I didnt expect to be lucky enough to get anything initially from my application so every stage is a bonus. If i go there and get something i will be absolutely thrilled obviously, but if i dont i have only gained experience. It's win win.

How about you, what are you applying too?

Tom

Hey Tom,

Im applying for the Business Technology graduate scheme. I'm glad that i've met someone who i'll know during the day, because i was a bit nervous to be honest. Just want to nail every bit of the assessment. Need to work on the presentation bit though. Its really good you've applied for this whilst your at university. That's one mistake that i did whilst i was there. Just out of pure interest, which university do you go to?

Regards

Manvir

hi guys, just want to double check that the numerical test has been replaced by a diagrammatic/inductive reasoning test for the LBG AC.

have my AC for the HR programme next Friday so want to make sure i am prepared.

thanks very much!

Yep, its definately a bit of a nervy day out isn't it, hopefully will be alright though! As you say want to nail every single stage if at all possible.

I am at Leeds University, final year!

Tom